HOW TO HIRE · BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL

How to hire a paralegal in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

A paralegal in Ireland costs €40–€120 per hour, typically around €70. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a paralegal in five steps

  1. Are you on the Roll of Solicitors, and what is your number?A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — filing and Court Procedures — they assist in filing documents with the court and understanding court procedures.
  2. How does their experience change the price?Reputation is the reason two quotes for one job differ so much. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  3. How does complexity of the work required change the price?A fiddly job needs more care and more skill than a straightforward one. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  4. What is not included?Client Communication — paralegals often serve as a point of contact between clients and attorneys — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a paralegal job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
  5. Who insures you, and what is the policy number?Expect professional indemnity insurance is compulsory for solicitors in practice — legal Research — conducting thorough legal research is a key duty of a paralegal.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

the Roll of Solicitors

A person must be on the Roll AND hold a current practising certificate. Being qualified is not the same as being entitled to practise. Restricted to solicitor holding a current practising certificate: acting as a solicitor; conveyancing and the drawing of certain documents for reward; describing oneself as a solicitor.

Search the Roll of Solicitors for the name or the registration number before you agree a price. lawsociety.ie →

Costs in writing

A legal practitioner must provide a written statement of costs (a section 150 notice) as soon as practicable after taking instructions. If no written costs notice arrives, ask for it before anything else happens. It is the document every later argument about fees depends on.

Ask for the notice before you instruct anyone, and keep it: it is the document any later dispute about the bill is read against.

Insurance

Expect professional indemnity insurance is compulsory for solicitors in practice. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.

Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.

Trader or private seller

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.

Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.

VAT

VAT at 23%, the standard rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.

Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →

“Are you on the Roll of Solicitors, and what is your number?”

A good answer: A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — filing and Court Procedures — they assist in filing documents with the court and understanding court procedures.

“How does their experience change the price?”

A good answer: Reputation is the reason two quotes for one job differ so much. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“How does complexity of the work required change the price?”

A good answer: A fiddly job needs more care and more skill than a straightforward one. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“What is not included?”

A good answer: Client Communication — paralegals often serve as a point of contact between clients and attorneys — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a paralegal job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.

“Who insures you, and what is the policy number?”

A good answer: Expect professional indemnity insurance is compulsory for solicitors in practice — legal Research — conducting thorough legal research is a key duty of a paralegal.

“What do I get in writing, and when?”

A good answer: A written scope and a price before the paralegal starts, and an itemised invoice after — document Preparation — paralegals assist in drafting and preparing legal documents such as contracts, pleadings, and discovery requests.

“Is VAT included in that figure?”

A good answer: VAT at 23%, the standard rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately — document Preparation — paralegals assist in drafting and preparing legal documents such as contracts, pleadings, and discovery requests.

Getting the quote right

  • Their experience — reputation is the reason two quotes for one job differ so much.
  • Complexity of the work required — a fiddly job needs more care and more skill than a straightforward one.
  • Complexity of the legal matter — an intricate finish is slower to apply and slower to correct.
  • Required research — it is checked on the visit because it changes the method.
  • In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
  • What is NOT included, named
  • Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
  • The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register

Walk away if

  • They are not on the Roll of Solicitors, or the number does not resolve to the name on the quote
  • They will not talk about it: their experience — reputation is the reason two quotes for one job differ so much
  • They will not talk about it: complexity of the work required — a fiddly job needs more care and more skill than a straightforward one
  • They will not talk about it: complexity of the legal matter — an intricate finish is slower to apply and slower to correct
  • A price for the paralegal before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
  • Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
LOW
€40
TYPICAL
€70
HIGH
€120

What a paralegal costs: €40–€120 per hour

Most paralegals quote the job rather than the hour; the hourly rate is what the small jobs are priced from. Legal researcher and Document drafter each carry their own band. Paralegal price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Paralegals near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.

  1. Look firstTheir experience — reputation is the reason two quotes for one job differ so much — that is what the paralegal is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
  2. Agree what is being doneComplexity of the work required — a fiddly job needs more care and more skill than a straightforward one — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
  3. The work itselfComplexity of the legal matter — an intricate finish is slower to apply and slower to correct — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
  4. Check it togetherRequired research — it is checked on the visit because it changes the method — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the paralegal is still there.
  5. What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, time needed to complete the tasks — the first hour costs more than the ones after it.

Document Preparation
Paralegals assist in drafting and preparing legal documents such as contracts, pleadings, and discovery requests.
Legal Research
Conducting thorough legal research is a key duty of a paralegal.
Client Communication
Paralegals often serve as a point of contact between clients and attorneys.
Filing and Court Procedures
They assist in filing documents with the court and understanding court procedures.
Legal Researcher
Conducts thorough research on case law and statutes to support legal arguments and documentation.
Client Liaison
Acts as a point of contact between clients and attorneys, providing updates and clarifying legal processes.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the invoice and the paperworkAn itemised invoice with the trader's name, the work and the total — filing and Court Procedures — they assist in filing documents with the court and understanding court procedures, because it is what a buyer's solicitor, an insurer or a lender asks for long after the paralegal has gone.
Test what was doneClient Communication — paralegals often serve as a point of contact between clients and attorneys — and something that does not work on the day is theirs to put right there and then.
Ask what the guarantee isOn the workmanship and on the parts, and for how long each one runs — they are usually different. legal Research — conducting thorough legal research is a key duty of a paralegal — under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 what was agreed is what can be relied on.
Leave the reviewOnly a booked job can be reviewed on Locufy, which is why the score on a paralegal's card means something — document Preparation — paralegals assist in drafting and preparing legal documents such as contracts, pleadings, and discovery requests.

STEP 1Say it in writing, firstSay what is wrong and what you want done. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 the work must be carried out with reasonable skill and care, and defective work put right.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyUnder four stars you are asked whether to send it to the provider first; we follow it through. Then review.
STEP 3Escalate to the body that regulates itReport it to the Roll of Solicitors.
STEP 4Small claimsSmall claims covers €2,000, once you have asked in writing and given them a chance to put it right.

Hiring a paralegal: questions people ask

The cost of hiring a paralegal can vary based on their experience, location, and the complexity of the work required. More specialised tasks or those requiring extensive research may cost more due to the expertise needed.

The duration of a paralegal task can vary widely depending on the specific job. Simple document preparation may take a few hours, while comprehensive legal research or case management might take several days.

It depends on the complexity of your case. For straightforward legal matters, a general paralegal may suffice, but for specialised issues, such as family law or corporate transactions, a paralegal with specific expertise is recommended.

Some paralegals may offer emergency or same-day services, but availability can vary. It's best to discuss your needs upfront to determine if they can accommodate urgent requests.

Yes, many paralegals can handle multiple related tasks simultaneously, such as document preparation and legal research for the same case. This can often lead to a more cohesive approach and potentially lower costs.

Paralegals are not licensed to provide legal advice, represent clients in court, or perform tasks that require attorney oversight. Their role is to support legal professionals and assist with administrative and research tasks.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in business & professional

How to hire: AccountantHow to hire: BookkeeperHow to hire: Payroll ServiceHow to hire: Tax AdvisorHow to hire: VAT ReturnsHow to hire: Self-Assessment HelpHow to hire: AuditorHow to hire: Financial AdvisorAll 701 hiring guides →

Paralegals near you

Paralegals in DublinParalegals in CorkParalegals in GalwayParalegals in LimerickAll paralegals on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Law Society of Ireland — find a solicitor
  2. Legal Services Regulatory Authority
  3. Legal Services Regulation Act 2015
  4. Consumer Rights Act 2022
  5. Revenue — LAWYERS/SOLICITORS SERVICES (LEGAL SERVICES) — Standard rate
  6. Revenue — current VAT rates (effective 1 January 2026)
  7. Revenue — VAT thresholds: €42,500 for a person supplying services only