Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship (Asbestos & Occupational Disease) (5113)

You will have the opportunity to get involved in supporting the team who manage an interesting and diverse caseload. Right from the beginning you'll play a key part in delivering outstanding service, securing justice for our clients, and making a real difference to their lives. Paralegals support solicitors in preparing cases and managing them through the litigation process. This involves creating and organising case files, as well as contacting clients and performing legal research. This programme offers a great grounding for a career in law.

This is a superb opportunity for you to work within our Asbestos and Occupational Disease Team. You will gain an overview as to the relevant law and the types of claims we encounter whilst supporting our clients and developing your skills and expertise within a collaborative team environment.

The work will involve assisting fee earners in advising clients from inception of a claim through to a final trial. The work will be varied and will include interacting with clients, Counsel and other parties in writing and by telephone. You will be tasked with obtaining documentation to support claims, conducting research, drafting pleadings, preparing disclosure bundles, witness statements and instructing Counsel to conduct hearings. Your role will also involve juggling competing demands on time and ensuring deadlines are met in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.

• Achieve time recording and fee income targets to ensure profitable working.
• Ensuring compliance with the firm's policies and procedures.
• Attending appropriate training and business development events as and when required.
• Establishing a small, supervised caseload to aid with the apprenticeship progression.

This is a 24-month apprenticeship perfect for anyone who wants to gain hands-on legal experience at the UK's largest full-service law firm. This apprenticeship is a great alternative to university, as it gives you the chance to earn while you learn. It also helps you to work towards the CILEX CPQ paralegal foundation qualification, helping to develop your career from day one.

The academic part of the apprenticeship is delivered by our apprenticeship training provider BPP via distance learning. The modules you study will link to the client service area in which you undertake your apprenticeship. We also offer a huge number of well-being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace, as well as flexible working options to ensure that you are fully supported to work the way that best suits you.

As part of the Irwin Mitchell Group's on-boarding process, all successful applicants are required to complete the group's employment screening process. This process helps to ensure that all new employees meet our standards in relation to honesty and integrity, therefore protecting the interests of the Group, existing employees, clients, partners, and other stakeholders. The background checks made will establish your eligibility to work in the UK, and criminal record checks and financial checks with a credit reference agency will also be undertaken. The employment screening process will fully comply with Data Protection and other applicable laws.

You’ll need 5 GCSEs at grade A to C or 9 to 4 (or equivalent), including Maths and English. You’ll also need at least 3 A Levels (or equivalent) at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies) in order to meet the minimum academic requirements needed to complete this apprenticeship.

Our apprentices receive a full benefits package including:

• 25 days holiday with the opportunity to buy additional leave.
• Two volunteering days a year to give back to the community (fully paid!).
• Westfield Health membership, offering discounted leisure and travel and refunds on medical services.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• We pay our apprentices a starting salary of £21,840 and £23,933 in London.
• Access to a variety of training and development resources.