Criminal Department – Paralegal / Trainee Solicitor in Nottingham

Our Crime Department continues to excel and expand. We are currently inviting applications for Paralegals with a view to securing Training, either through the traditional or SQM route to qualification. These positions are available because we have had a number of trainees recently achieve qualification and our aim is to continue to grow our capacity by investing in development for the future.

This role is open to Law Graduates either with successful completion of LPC or who are working towards completion of LPC or SQE. Bhatia Best are a leading firm based in the East Midlands who specialise in Criminal Defence, Family Law, Personal Injury, Public Law and Community Care. This role will be based primarily in our Nottingham Office, focus on Criminal Defence and successful candidates can expect to engage in hands‑on casework, assisting senior caseworkers and qualified staff both in Magistrates Court and Crown Court case preparation.

Additionally, you will be supported and assisted to attain the Police Station Representatives Accreditation through our preferred provider (Datalaw), which will enable you to directly engage with clients at the very start of the investigative process of their case. There is no requirement to have past experience in the field. These positions are envisaged as an initial step into private practice.

• A confident demeanour
• A keen interest in working in Criminal Law and motivation to quickly advance your learning and experience in this field.
• Good oral and written communication
• Strong academic background and a solid theoretical grasp of legal procedures, codes of practice and rules of evidence.
• An understanding of court protocol (perhaps having observed or shadowed a practitioner at Court).
• Meticulous nature when recording conference and hearing notes.
• Strong client care attitude, empathetic nature, positivity centred approach.
• Good client retention skills.
• Confidence and competence with a wide‑range of IT, MS Office and case management platforms.
• Commercial awareness.

• Learn and develop real‑world skills and abilities that you will use throughout your career.
• Advise and represent clients facing the full range of criminal offences.
• Directly undertake fee‑earning tasks to support principal caseworkers.
• Assist on cases from start to finish.
• Progress quickly through Accreditation, Traineeship to qualification as a Solicitor.
• Assist in maintaining the efficiency and profitability of the Department.
• Undertake legal research and engage in drafting of proformas and Court documents.
• Receive training and guidance on maintaining firm compliance with our Specialist Quality Mark standard and specification.
• Engage with, assist, support and even deliver training initiatives.
• Act as a “next friend” to future new recruits as they embark upon and progress their training.
• Maintain high levels of client care and trust, enforcing client confidentiality and legal professional privilege.
• Actively promote positive relations with clients, their families, external service providers, colleagues and the wider public.

This is a full‑time, on‑site role with office hours Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:30.

Basic Salary plus out‑of‑hours rota overtime payable per case once successfully registered as a Police Station Representative.

You can either post your application using the Apply option on this page, or for more information you can contact either our Practice Manager louise.pynegar@bhatiabest.co.uk or Crime Department Manager steven.ramsell@bhatiabest.co.uk.