An occupational qualification standard is a document which describes the set of skills, knowledge and attitudes, i.e. competence requirements, needed to successfully accomplish duties. Occupational qualification standards are used for compiling curricula and awarding qualifications.
Name in English:
ET: Õigusassistent, tase 5EN: Legal Aid Assistant, EstQF Level 5
A legal aid assistant has basic legal knowledge and the skills needed to apply it in order to provide support for specialists in the legal field. The main duties of a legal aid assistant are the administration of legal services and the provision of primary legal services to clients, including explai...ning procedural documents, deadlines and procedures. A legal aid assistant carries out initial analyses of questions related to their professional field on the basis provided by a specialist and, if necessary, under the specialist's guidance (analysing judicial practice, application of law, etc.). The work of a legal aid assistant includes searching databases and information services for legal provisions, court decisions and other legal information as well as gathering evidence and relevant data and drafting legal documents required for the provision of legal services. The duties of a legal aid assistant depend on the needs of a particular organisation. A legal aid assistant is required to communicate and act promptly and flexibly. They must also ensure the confidentiality of information and client relationships and be able to cope with different people and situations. MoreHide
A.2 Work units
A.2.1 Prepping client relationships
A.2.2 Support for legal services
A.3 Professional preparation
As a rule, a legal aid assistant has completed a relevant vocational education programme or has acquired professional skills in their workplace.
A.4 Most common occupational titles
Notary’s assistant, lawyer’s assistant, clerk of the court, paralegal, bailiff’s assistant, bankruptcy trustee’s assistant, attorney firm assistant, law firm assistant.
A.5 Regulations governing profession
There are no regulations governing the occupation.
A.6 Future Skills
The use of digital technologies, knowledge of a foreign language and virtual communication are of increasing importance. Also of importance are knowledge of the acronym terminology related to legislation and public authorities, logical thinking and problem-solving, an ability to find connections and... distinguish significance and an ability to work in a multicultural environment. MoreHide
B Competency Requirements
B.1 Structure of occupation
Competency Requirements:
All competences must be certified when applying for the qualification.
B.2 General skills of Legal Aid Assistant, EstQF Level 5
General skills of legal aid assistant profession
1. Notes and takes into account the client’s needs.
2. Behaves in a balanced and purposeful manner in different service situations, including stressful situations.
3. Complies with the common rules and agreed-upon principles of the organisation.
4.... Works independently, in a team and with clients.
5. Is responsible for their own behaviour and the consequences thereof.
6. On the basis of available information and analysis, draws reasoned and logical conclusions.
7. Evaluates, analyses and improves themselves and their activities.
8. Acts in accordance with professional ethics in their work.
9. Uses the national language at the C1 level and one foreign language at the B1 level in their work (see Annex 1 Language skills level descriptions);
10. Uses digital skills in their work: ‘Content Creation and Problem Solving’ at the Independent User level and ‘Information Processing, Communication and Security’ at the Advanced level (see Annex 2: DigComp’s Self-assessment grid of digital competences). MoreHide
B.3 Competences
Mandatory competences
Competence
EstQF Level
B.3.1
Prepping client relationships
5
View competence
Performance indicators:
1. Identifies the client's needs, as well as potential conflicts of interest, fosters a positive client relationship, is ready to provide service and communicates with the client using communication tools.
2. Informs the client of the terms and conditions of the legal service and related activities, taking into account the specific nature of the legal service organisation and communicating the necessary information to the client in a comprehensible manner.
3. Advises clients on the basis of initial analysis regarding legal matters (e.g. explaining procedural steps, related deadlines and procedures for proceedings) using appropriate service methods and techniques, based on the client's needs and service structure.
4. Checks payments for legal services in the client management software or calculates charges for legal services on the basis of the policies established in the organisation;
5. Complies with the requirements of confidentiality of information on the basis of the legal framework and the rules established in the organisation.
B.3.2
Support for legal services
5
View competence
Performance indicators:
1. Conducts initial legal analysis of a research question in the field of law, e.g. analysing implementation practices of legal provisions, including judicial practice.
2. Prepares legal documents, including draft contracts, following requirements and guidelines and creates document templates (letter templates etc.) complying with good practice and the procedure established in the organisation.
3. Depending on the necessity of the task, forwards the documents to the addressee using the communication channels provided by the client, makes copies and extracts of the documents and provides the official seal for approval within the limits of their competence and complies with restrictions on access as stipulated in the requirements of legal acts.
4. Coordinates the life cycle of documents and the preparation and execution of related procedural acts, including the filing of application forms; archives documents in accordance with the procedures stipulated in legislation and established in the organisation.
5. Uses web-based environments and information systems to carry out their duties, including determining the requirements and forms needed to prepare authentication, drafting expert reactions and giving legal judgements, taking into account data protection requirements.
6. Organises meetings and sessions and takes minutes of these considering the specific nature of legal services;
7. Arranges for legal documents to enter into force and for the publication or disclosure of legally valid documents; coordinates the disclosure of public information related to legal documents that have entered into force while complying with the protection of public information and personal data according to the specific nature the organisation.
C General information and Annexes
Designation of occupational qualification standard in register:
14-26112019-2.1/2k
Field of occupational activity:
Commercial Service and Other Business Activities
Occupational Qualification Council:
Commercial Service and other business activities
No. of decision of Occupational Qualification Council:
14
Date of decision of Occupational Qualification Council:
26.11.2019
EstQF level:
5
Reference to European Qualifications Framework (EQF):
International Standard Classification of Occupations:
3 Technicians and Associate Professionals34 Legal, Social, Cultural and Related Associate Professionals341 Legal, Social and Religious Associate Professionals3411 Legal and Related Associate Professionals
ISCED Fields of Education and Training (ISCED-F 2013):
04 Business, administration and law041 Business and administration0415 Secretarial and office work
Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (NACE):
N ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICE ACTIVITIES82 Office administrative, office support and other business support activities
