The first paralegal has qualified as a solicitor using the so-called paralegal shortcut, representing a milestone in the profession by doing away with the training contract.

Robert Houchill, until this Wednesday a senior paralegal at Bates Wells and Braithwaite, applied to the SRA under the "equivalent means" provision, introduced to open up the profession by allowing paralegals who have passed the LPC to become qualified solicitors without undertaking a training contract.

Demonstrating formidable dedication, 30-year-old Houchill squeezed in the world's most boring course around full-time paralegal jobs, including one six month stint at the Children's Legal Centre in Colchester which saw him commuting to London after work to study. He completed the LPC in 2012, and in 2013 moved to BWB where he spotted an SRA bulletin on the paralegal shortcut. Now he is the first of his kind, which he told RollOnFriday "feels slightly awkward".

That's one small step for Houchill, one giant leap for paralegalkind

Responding to critics who claim that paralegals don't enjoy the same breadth of experience as trainees, Houchill pointed out that applicants for the paralegal shortcut must have worked in at least three areas of law. He said he found the six month process "very exacting and thorough", and doesn't believe the new route poses a risk to the profession. "I am already working in the legal sector", he added. "It is better to have me qualified and regulated than hiding behind someone else's practising certificate".

The boxfresh immigration lawyer advised anyone interested in the paralegal shortcut to keep a work diary and bone up on the SRA's requirements. With the number of training contracts shrinking year-on-year, he said the Parabeagle Insertion© was "a good contingency plan".

BWB Managing Partner Martin Bunch said his firm recognised that “traditional routes are not the only way into a successful career in law," and "we congratulate Robert on this achievement”, even though he now has to pay him more.