About us
Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.
The team you will join
Our Court of Protection team sits within the wider Private Client Division and specialises in all aspects of Court of Protection law, including contentious and non-contentious applications to the Court.
The team provide straightforward, practical advice and have the skills and experience to ensure that the right decisions are made. They liaise with family, friends and professionals, and handle each situation with a high level of care and sensitivity. We deal with Court of Protection matters for severely disabled clients (including those with brain injuries and birth injuries) and manage large personal injury or clinical negligence awards. They also manage the affairs of many elderly clients living with dementia and mental health issues.
The team has many years of experience in Court of Protection law and is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about our subject. They also offer a professional deputyship and attorneyship administration service where we are appointed as deputies/attorneys in more complex cases or where there is no suitable person known to the incapable party who is able or willing to act.
The work you will be doing
We are looking for a motivated and ambitious Paralegal to join our team. This role offers the opportunity to gain hands‑on experience working alongside experienced lawyers on a broad range of matters, developing both your legal knowledge and practical skills in a supportive and collaborative environment.
This position would suit someone who is keen to build a long‑term career in law and who is looking for a firm that is committed to developing talent from within. Within this opportunity, there may be future opportunities to pursue qualification through a trainee legal executive or solicitor apprenticeship route.
Your responsibilities will include assisting fee earners with day-to-day administration of Deputyship and Attorneyship cases to include:-
- arranging appointments, accompanying fee earners to home visits and drafting attendance notes;
- telephone calls to clients, care providers and organisations (including the Office of the Public Guardian and the Court of Protection) to provide general updates, check progress of applications and reporting back to fee earners;
- arranging online payments on behalf of Deputyship or Attorneyship clients;
- assisting with completion of annual Deputy Reports;
- preparation of trial bundles;
- completion of application forms, standard letters/emails for fee earner review;
- Maintaining accurate time-costing procedures
- Ensuring compliance with file management
- Acting as a point of contact for clients, ensuring clear and timely communication
- General team administration to include making appointments and arranging meetings
- Assist with Court of Protection costing and billing processes
- Working efficiently, prioritising and managing deadlines in accordance with the client matter
- To proactively support other members of the team, and to provide cover as and when necessary
What we are looking for
- Legal experience/qualifications desired but not essential
- Demonstrable interest in and/or knowledge of relevant law and legal procedure
- Excellent spelling and punctuation.
- Excellent written and verbal communications.
- Ability to use discretion / integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service.
- Excellent IT skills, including Outlook, Word and Excel.
- Positive and enthusiastic approach to teamwork.
- Self‑motivated, ability to use initiative and provide pro‑active support to fee‑earners.
- Ability to pay attention to detail and check own work.
- Reliable and well organised.
- Ability to remain calm and work under pressure to meet strict deadlines.
- Commitment to ongoing learning and development.
Hybrid Working
Due to the nature of work required, this role is fully office based.
We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part‑time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.
Benefits
As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:
- 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
- Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
- Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
- Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
- Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
- Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
- Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
- Paid CSR Day
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Subsidised gym membership
- Electric car scheme
- Dress for your Day Policy
You can find out more on our website: https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/
Inclusivity and Culture
At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth.
Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.
If you require this advert in an accessible format, please visit https://diversityjobsgroup.com/company/birketts/
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Paralegal - Court of Protection in Ipswich employer: Birketts LLP
Birketts is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collegiate work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a strong commitment to diversity and community impact, our flexible hybrid working model allows for a balanced work-life integration, while our comprehensive benefits package ensures that our colleagues are well taken care of. Join us in a dynamic environment where your contributions are valued and you can truly achieve your next level in your career.
