Are legal admin tasks piling up? Is your law firm overwhelmed by client emails, court deadlines, and paperwork?
You’re not alone.
Across Europe, small law practices and solo solicitors are struggling to manage both legal work and back-office tasks. Fortunately, there’s a cost-effective, efficient solution: remote legal support.
But when outsourcing legal work, should you hire a virtual legal assistant or a paralegal?
While both roles support legal professionals, they differ significantly in scope, training, and impact. This guide breaks down their differences so you can make the smartest hiring decision for your law firm.
Understanding the Modern Legal Support Landscape
In today’s fast-evolving legal industry, the demand for streamlined support services is growing fast. Many law firms are embracing remote legal staffing solutions to cut costs and boost efficiency.
The two most in-demand roles?
Virtual Legal Assistants (VLAs)
Paralegals
Both roles play a critical part in law firm operations. But to make the right hire, you need to understand where their responsibilities diverge.
What Is a Paralegal?
A paralegal is a legal professional trained to support solicitors or attorneys with substantive legal work. While they can’t represent clients or offer legal advice independently, they are experts in law-related tasks.
Common Paralegal Duties:
Drafting contracts, pleadings, and legal filings
Conducting legal research and case law analysis
Managing case files and preparing trial bundles
Assisting with regulatory compliance
Supporting litigation and court submissions
Preparing due diligence reports and discovery responses
Qualifications:
In most European countries, paralegals complete formal education such as:
A law degree or legal diploma
A certified paralegal programme
CPD courses from recognised legal institutions
According to the European Legal Support Association, over 75% of paralegals in the EU hold formal legal qualifications.
When Should You Hire a Paralegal?
Your firm handles complex litigation or corporate law
You need expert-level legal research and document drafting
Your solicitors are bogged down by court preparation
A paralegal is the right fit if your law firm needs in-depth legal support without hiring another.
What Is a Virtual Legal Assistant?
A virtual legal assistant (VLA) offers remote administrative and operational support tailored for legal practices. They don’t provide legal services—but they keep your firm running smoothly behind the scenes.
Common VLA Tasks:
Scheduling client meetings and court appointments
Managing email inboxes and CRM platforms
Formatting, proofreading, and organising legal documents
Coordinating with courts and external counsel
Handling invoicing, payments, and document filing
Client intake and follow-up communications
Qualifications:
No law degree required—just:
Proven experience in legal admin
Proficiency with legal tech tools
Excellent communication and time-management skills
VLAs often come from legal administrative backgrounds and can hit the ground running in remote roles.
When Should You Hire a Virtual Legal Assistant?
Your administrative workload is eating into billable hours
Client communication is falling behind
You need support without increasing office overhead
Paralegal vs Virtual Legal Assistant: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Role | Primary Focus | Best For | Key Tasks | Legal Training |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegal | Substantive legal work | Litigation, compliance, case prep | Drafting, research, filings, document review | Yes – legal qualifications |
| Virtual Legal Assistant | Legal admin & operations | Client comms, document management, CRM | Scheduling, emails, invoicing, admin tasks | No – admin experience only |
Salary Comparison: What Does Each Role Cost in Europe?
While exact figures vary by country, here’s a general breakdown:
Paralegal Salary (EU average): €35,000 – €55,000 per year (or €28–€38/hour)
Virtual Legal Assistant Rates:
EU-based: €18–€28/hour
Nearshore (e.g., Eastern Europe, Balkans): €15–€17/hour
Hiring remote staff allows European law firms to access affordable, high-quality talent without local hiring constraints.
The Rise of Remote Legal Staffing in Europe
Legal outsourcing in Europe is gaining momentum. According to the 2025 EU Legal Tech Report:
61% of small law firms now outsource at least one support role
70% of legal assistants are hybrid or fully remote
48% of firms are considering nearshore or offshore legal talent for 2025
Why the shift? Remote staffing provides:
Flexible support without long-term contracts
Lower labour costs
Access to multilingual, tech-savvy professionals
Credentials and Training: Do You Need Certified Staff?
Paralegals:
May require formal certification, depending on your jurisdiction
Ideal qualifications include: Law degree, Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies, or certified paralegal training
Virtual Legal Assistants:
No official certification needed
Relevant experience and digital literacy are the top hiring factors
Tip: Ask for references and software proficiency during the interview process. Familiarity with EU GDPR compliance is also a plus.
Real Example: How One EU Firm Scaled with Smart Hiring
A boutique immigration law firm in Czechia faced overwhelming client demands and missed deadlines. They hired a bilingual virtual legal assistant to handle scheduling and CRM updates.
Within two months, their solicitor was saving 10+ hours weekly.
Soon after, they added a freelance paralegal to assist with appeals and case documentation in both Spanish and English. The result? A 40% increase in client capacity—with no need for new office space.
How to Choose: Paralegal or Legal VA?
Still unsure? Ask yourself:
Drowning in emails, missed calls, and overdue invoices? Hire a virtual legal assistant.
Need help with legal filings, document drafting, or court prep? Hire a paralegal.
Want to scale your law firm with a lean remote team? Start with a VLA, then add a paralegal as demand grows.
Final Thoughts: Build the Right Legal Support Team
Legal success isn’t just about courtroom wins—it’s about having the right systems and people in place.
Paralegals move your legal matters forward with skill and precision.
Virtual Legal Assistants keep your firm organised and responsive.
Smart law firms don’t choose between them—they combine both for maximum impact.
Need help hiring legal support in Europe? Book a free consultation with Pavadel. We match EU-based law firms with pre-vetted legal VAs and paralegals.