Paralegal, Human Rights

About the team:

In this role, you will be working within Emma Jones' team in our Human Rights department. You will be working alongside solicitors Anna Dews and Izzy Piper, gaining hands-on experience across a diverse caseload. The team specialises in a wide range of public and private law cases including human rights claims against false imprisonment, negligent treatment in hospitals, schools and social care settings, and a variety of public law challenges. The team are currently working on a number of human rights act cases on behalf of people detained in mental health settings.

Key duties and responsibilities:

Overall purpose for this role: To provide a reliable and efficient support service primarily to a supervising fee-earner within the Human Rights team and assist with general administration of caseloads. To undertake a wide variety of paralegal and administrative tasks as set out below. You will also be required to undertake other ad-hoc duties as required from time to time.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• This role involves assisting with disclosure, drafting documents, client liaison, research work, general correspondence and administrative support.
• The successful candidate will be able to take client instructions, instruct experts, liaise with counsel and other solicitors and draft LAA funding applications and claims for costs.
• Sort and review medical and financial records, liaise with medical professionals, financial institutions and other solicitors.
• In the absence of supervising fee-earner, ensure that urgent matters are dealt with or referred to appropriate personnel.
• Produce accurate documents from verbal or written instructions including the use of templates and precedents.
• Proactively organise legal professionals' schedules. This can include managing their diaries, arranging meetings, booking meeting rooms, organising parking spaces, hotel accommodation and travel arrangements.
• Conducting legal and evidential research.
• File/case management.
• Thorough and accurate note taking at meetings and preparation of file notes.
• Preparing court and other documents for the approval of the fee earner.
• Organising and preparing court and other bundles.
• Attending hearings.
• Communicate effectively; be approachable and professional in all dealings.
• Ensure client monies or invoices are requisitioned/paid in as instructed. To ensure monetary transactions are dealt with efficiently and in accordance with office procedures.
• Telephone clients/other contacts as and when necessary, dealing with such calls in a courteous and efficient manner.
• Ensure electronic filing kept up-to-date and copies of correspondence/documents are kept in the file, open new files/close old files as required.
• Utilise I.T. to provide a quality, cost effective and efficient service to clients.
• To try and keep up-to-date by attending in-house seminars, through research, reading and attending courses if appropriate.
• To ensure that adequate training is received to be able to gain maximum benefit from the firm's investment in Information Technology.
• Any other tasks as might from time to time be required.

Person specification:

Essential:

• Genuine interest to work with a leading claimant law firm and passionate about providing access to justice to all.
• Genuine interest and passion about human rights and building a career in this field.
• Relevant legal qualifications (LLB or GDL or LPC or LLM or MA in law or relevant field) and/or relevant experience.
• Demonstrable experience in drafting legal documentation and correspondence, sorting and reviewing financial records.
• Demonstrable interest in social campaigns, inquests, civil liberties and international/domestic conflicts.
• Experience in legal and evidential research.
• Experience in interviewing clients and taking witness statements.
• Demonstrable ability to build trust and confidence with vulnerable and marginalised client groups.
• Demonstrable experience in using a variety of IT packages (MS Word, Excel, Case Management Systems, Outlook).
• Proven ability in dealing sensitively with clients and managing difficult situations and conversations.
• Proven ability to communicate accurately, clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing with a wide range of clients and various stakeholders.
• Proven ability to organise and prioritise a complex workload and work to tight deadlines whilst maintaining a positive attitude.
• Proven ability to work and contribute in a team environment.
• Proven ability to be self-sufficient in relation to administration, typing and IT requirements.
• Excellent communication skills, demonstrated by ability to communicate accurately, clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

Desirable:

• Experience in judicial review and/or inquests is an advantage but not essential.
• Relevant experience in human rights law or previous paralegal experience is ideal.
• Experience in drafting legal aid applications via CCMS and using the firm's CFA precedents.
• Experience in billing.