Claims Against Public Authorities and Inquest Paralegal

A Legal500, leading national law firm is looking to recruit dedicated Paralegals / Caseworkers for a highly sought permanent position. Our client serves corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 practice areas from offices throughout London and across England and Wales. Our client's accomplishments are acknowledged and recommended in The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, as a top tier firm. Our client holds the Investors in People Gold Accreditation Quality Standard Mark and is LEXCEL, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001-2013 accredited and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

About the role: The successful candidate will conduct supervised casework and also support other lawyers in the department. You will be involved with case preparation generally and, as part of that role, will be expected to conduct legal research, take proofs of evidence from clients and witnesses, attend both court hearings and conferences. Experience of Legal Aid Agency (LAA) funded casework is highly desirable. Previous CAPA and/or Inquest experience is advantageous. It is imperative that you can demonstrate an unwavering commitment to protecting individual citizens' civil liberties and a preparedness to fight hard to enforce their human rights. While experience in CAPA work is advantageous, applications from candidates with relevant legal experience and a genuine interest in civil liberties and human rights work will also be considered.

Main Responsibilities of the Role:

• Reporting to Supervising Solicitor and when necessary to Departmental Director
• Working cohesively within a team but also prepared to take responsibility for individual work
• Attending clients, taking instructions and briefing and liaising with counsel, negotiating with defendant solicitors, the PPO, IOPC and other legal professionals
• Drafting legal documents
• Exercising financial control over work carried out, with particular regard to the conversion of work in progress and ensuring that billing targets are met
• Ensuring Quality Control compliance as defined in the Office Manual in regard to Lexcel, Investors in People and any other quality mark implemented by the firm, dealing with noncompliance matters in an efficient and timely fashion
• Supporting the successful development of the firm, in line with its Business Plan, this will require participation in marketing events to ensure the continuous growth of the Department, and that the turnover target set for your department is achieved
• Dealing with any complaints received on your cases
• Assisting with audit enquiries, when applicable
• Carrying out any other reasonable and relevant task required by Management

Key Skills Required:

• Minimum 1 year of paralegal practice required; experience in a claims against public authorities department is highly desirable
• Intelligence and demonstrable experience relevant to this role
• Experience working on Legal Aid cases and Litigation is essential (Ideally within Inquests/CAPA)
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively
• Familiarity with the Legal Aid Agency's online CCMS system would be an advantage
• Legal skills and knowledge, Negotiation skills and Analytical skills
• You must be a good administrator, capable of ordering documents, dealing with new telephone and email enquiries and completing legal aid/controlled work documentation
• Excellent IT Skills - familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills

Why Join Us?

• Work with one of the UK's leading law firms recognised for excellence
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive workforce committed to equal opportunities
• Access ongoing professional development and training

What we offer:

• Competitive salary
• The opportunity to join a heavyweight civil liberties firm which promotes a healthy collegiate environment in which to do great work, grow, be supported and be yourself
• Work within a friendly, collaborative and cohesive team
• Excellent progression opportunities
• Support for appropriate legal awards/recognition

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other duties as reasonably required. On offer is an attractive salary package, a supportive team environment and real prospects for promotion. The Company will allow hybrid-working in accordance with the company policy. The company is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity and inclusivity of its staff and strives to ensure that their workforce reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.