IRWIN MITCHELL has been named Law Firm Employer of the Year in the 2006 Paralegal Awards.

The company, which employs 43 people at its Newcastle office, was presented with the award for its commitment to providing quality work, support, recognition and training to its paralegal staff.

Paralegal is the term used to describe non-lawyers who do legal work, regardless of their job title. There are estimated to be half-a-million paralegals in the UK.

The awards' judging panel said Irwin Mitchell's commitment to its staff was "second to none" and the standards the firm expected in return "reflect the standards that the paralegal profession aspires to".

John Davis, managing partner at the firm's Newcastle office, said: "This award recognises the investment the firm has made in training and development, as well as the dedication of the team here at Irwin Mitchell who work tirelessly to ensure that all members of staff reach their potential.

"Our paralegals are an integral part of the firm and we are thrilled to be recognised in this way.

"We are as proud of our para-legals as we are of all the 1,900 people that make up the richly diverse law firm that Irwin Mitchell is today."

Jane Pyrah, a paralegal at Irwin Mitchell's office in Grey Street, Newcastle, has been working in the firm's neurotrauma team for almost two years and has recently been offered a position to train as a solicitor.

The 26-year-old said: "Throughout the time I have been with Irwin Mitchell they have always been supportive, encouraging and have provided me with a number of fabulous opportunities."