International Women's Day | Introducing Sarah Chapman

To mark International women's day today, we spoke to Sarah Chapman from our family law team and asked her to share her story.

From Saturday Girl in a local hairdressing salon to CILEx Paralegal

Whilst studying for my A-Levels, I knew that I did not want to go to Uni and wanted to break into the world of working and earning my own money. I also had to gain some form of employment to fund my car after passing my driving test! I was offered a job with a local hairdressing salon as a Saturday girl. This involved assisting stylists with various tasks such as shampooing client’s hair, sweeping and tidying the salon, preparing tools and products for use. I also greeted clients on their arrival, answered telephone calls, scheduled appointments and most importantly, took everyone’s lunch orders to go out and buy the same with the money from petty cash! This progressed to Friday evenings after college, together with Saturday mornings, to further shifts during the holiday periods.

I absolutely loved this job and meeting everyone that came into the salon, however, needed to find further work whilst still at college. I applied for a position at the local Somerfield Supermarket (if anyone still remembers those!) as a shelf filler and was successful. Whilst I enjoyed working with my colleagues, I would not necessarily say that I particularly enjoyed this role, however, it was a means to an end! I was able to work both jobs until finishing my A-Levels and leaving college.

Beginning my journey into law

Following this, I was very fortunate to obtain employment at a small law firm in Chatteris as an office junior/receptionist and started my journey into law. I liaised with clients and professionals arranging appointments and being their first point of contact. I assisted with general administrative duties as well as audio and copy typing. I then progressed to a legal secretary and undertook work predominantly in family law. I was always happy to lend a hand and pick up dictation for other areas of law. Again, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there however, unfortunately, there was no room for progression and left there in 2001.

I deviated from the path of law into that of a secretary in a Land Agents in Wisbech. This role involved typing sales particulars which were very interesting, arranging viewings of properties with the vendor and prospective purchasers, audio and copy typing together with dealing with clients who came into the office and by telephone. Unfortunately, this firm decided to relocate from Wisbech to Kings Lynn and whilst the journey from Peterborough to Wisbech was long enough, I found Kings Lynn to be a bit too far and sadly I left this firm in 2003.

I was lucky enough to apply for and be accepted for a legal secretary position at a law firm back in Peterborough, initially in the Conveyancing Department, however, soon discovered that this area of law was not for me! I moved departments and started working in family law in 2004. It was here that I discovered an interest in family law as although the procedure remained the same, no two case details were the same. I dealt with both legally aided and private paying clients and all aspects of children’s law and also helped the lawyer I was working for assist clients to resolve financial disputes (Financial Remedies Proceedings). It is truly amazing how much knowledge and experience you gain by being a legal secretary and it inspired me to train to become a family lawyer.

A non-graduate path into law

During this time, I was introduced to ILEx (now CILEx), which offers a non-graduate route to becoming a lawyer. CILEx is the professional association and governing body for Chartered Legal Executive Lawyers, other legal practitioners and paralegals. I enjoyed being back to the world of studying again and successfully completed Part 1 Year 1 in 2005 and again in September 2006, I successfully completed Part 1 Year 2 and gained the Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law. I also hold an Associate Member status with ILEx.

As this Firm was no longer undertaking Legal Aid work and the lawyer that I worked for took early retirement, I was in a position where I needed to find alternative employment. I know this does not sound right at all, but I really enjoyed dealing with all aspects of family law despite the Public Law Children side being really challenging and distressing at times when acting for parents who had had their child/children removed from their care by the Local Authority. I joined another family law firm in Peterborough in 2013. At that stage, I had progressed to the position of a Paralegal. This role involved me assisting the legal team with their caseload in predominantly Public Law Children matters, as and when requested. I also assessed clients as to their eligibility for Legal Aid.

In December 2014 I began working with Peterborough City Council as a Legal Officer in their Child Protection Team. During my time here a colleague and I arranged for ourselves to undertake DNA paternity testing training, and I was certified to take DNA samples from parents and children in order to confirm paternity. I found this really interesting and challenging at times, particularly when I was tasked with taking a sample from a very young baby, who thankfully had slept through the whole process!

Becoming part of the Hegarty family team

However, I missed dealing with clients in Private Law work, so I joined Hegarty’s family law team in July 2021 as a Paralegal, running my own caseload and supporting clients with divorce and children’s issues. I have also returned to studying and am currently completing the CILEx Professional Qualification (CPQ). I am pleased to say that I have passed the Foundation Stage and acquired the title of CILEx Paralegal (ACILEX). I am currently working my way through the Advanced Stage, with exams in Family Law & Practice, Criminal Law & Litigation and hopefully Professional and Legal Skills – Legal Research taking place in June!

I have everything crossed that I pass these so that I can sit exams in Dispute Resolution & Litigation, together with the Professional and Legal Skills exam next year.