Paralegal Dispute Resolution and Employment Law Team (Criminal and Enforcement section) in Chelmsford

This is a part time position working 29.6 hours per week, the pro rata salary will be £27,206 to £32,007 per annum.

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.

Essex Legal Services (ELS) is part of Essex County Council (ECC) and offers flexible working practices in line with ECC’s policy including hybrid working – in all cases this is offered in line with business needs. We will expect you to attend our Chelmsford offices approximately 2-3 days per week.

The Opportunity

Essex County Council (ECC) is a diverse and large organisation that strives for excellence and delivers an outstanding service for residents across Essex. As the in‑house legal service, ELS prides itself on providing a comprehensive legal service to the Council – most of our work is done in‑house. We pride ourselves on valuing the people who work for us and provide a supportive working environment, where people work hard to do their best for Essex.

We are currently recruiting for a paralegal to be part of a specialist Criminal and Enforcement section within the Dispute Resolution and Employment Law Team. You will work closely with colleagues to ensure the delivery of a high performing, client facing legal service which proactively embraces change.

As a paralegal, you will be able to prepare court bundles, assist on criminal and enforcement matters including Trading Standards prosecutions, Highways matters and planning prosecutions and provide a professional legal service that is valued by our clients and improves their business.

Educated to degree level, with experience of working within a legal environment, the successful applicant will have the ability to build strong working relationships both with colleagues and clients and a proven track record in delivering excellent customer service.

Job Purpose

You will be responsible in assisting with the delivery of all aspects of routine legal work including some advocacy from time to time. Work will be both contentious and non‑contentious in nature and will cover a full range of criminal and enforcement matters but with a particular focus on working with the solicitors in the team on trading standards prosecutions, highways matters and education prosecutions.

You will be predominantly based within the Criminal and Enforcement section of the Dispute Resolution and Employment Law Team. You will work alongside solicitors in the team dealing with routine advisory queries and providing support and assistance on large and more complex cases. You will assist with all aspects of the criminal litigation process such as preparing draft pleadings, witness statements and court forms, the disclosure process, reviewing evidence, briefing counsel, preparation of court bundles and attending trials where necessary.

This post may also involve assisting other parts of the Dispute Resolution and Employment Law Team as appropriate.

This position will be fast‑paced and it is therefore imperative you are confident in the following matters:

• Drafting and preparing legal documents for functions across the Council and to external customers.
• Interpreting the legal and business impact of changes in law and assessing these on the operations of Essex Legal Services, our partners, stakeholders and client base.
• Understanding and interpreting client needs to provide them with a service they value.
• Attending Court or public inquiries in appropriate cases.
• Contributing to the development of current and future business opportunities to promote ELS.
• Developing good working relationships across the Council.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.
• Experience of working within a legal setting in a public service or private sector environment, providing routine legal advice is desirable although not essential.
• Proven track record of delivering excellent customer service.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues and the client base, to understand customer needs with a strong focus on delivering positive outcomes.
• Ability to develop working relationships across a large, complex organisation and with internal and external partners/ stakeholders and clients to maintain and develop business streams.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Corporate Services

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In March 2026, Greater Essex was accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community.

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Further details can be found on our careers page.