Paralegals can also now get formal diplomas at many colleges and universities. This section looks at how you can develop your communication skills with:

• The person you are trying to help (‘the client’)
• The people you have to contact on behalf of your client, for example the government, an employer, a store manager, and so on
• The organisation or community to which you are accountable as a paralegal

Communication skills can involve the following:

• Interviewing clients
• Taking a statement
• Listening to clients
• Monitoring and evidence-gathering
• Counselling
• Advice-giving and problem-solving
• Referring your client to other organisations or assistance agencies
• Making telephone calls
• Writing letters
• Writing reports