Paralegal - Wills, Trusts & Probate Department

About GN Law

GN Law is an independent law firm with a committed team of solicitors, paralegals and support staff. We represent clients locally in North Finchley, Whetstone and Barnet and more widely across London and the UK. Our team of around sixty people are passionate about the work that we do in supporting the most vulnerable in society and making law more accessible to all. We aspire to be empathic, efficient, and approachable in all that we do.

Our specialist areas of law include:

• Court of Protection – safeguarding the rights and interests of vulnerable individuals, ensuring that any decisions made on their behalf are in their best interests, and providing a legal framework for managing their affairs when they lack the mental capacity to do so.
• Mental Health - supporting and representing patients detained under the Mental Health Act.
• Claims Against Police & Public Authorities – holding public authorities to account for misconduct, unlawful acts, and abuses of power.
• Wills, trusts and probate – legal advice and helping clients to plan for their future and the future of their families.
• Family – divorce proceedings, financial proceedings on divorce, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, private children matters and care proceedings.

About the role

We’re looking for a committed and enthusiastic paralegal to join our Wills, Trusts & Probate department. We specialise in all aspects of private client work including will drafting, powers of attorney, trusts, probate and estate administration and deputyship applications. This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to gain valuable experience in a highly respected department.

Main Responsibilities

• Supporting solicitors in the running of probate files.
• Liaise with clients, courts, counsel and external parties on behalf of the solicitors.
• Perform due diligence checks and gather supporting documentation.
• Running your own caseload including the drafting of wills and preparation of lasting powers of attorney.
• Fielding new enquiries from prospective clients.
• Submitting files for billing to the accounts department.
• Assisting with wider firm/department goals e.g. website articles, attendance at open days.

Key skills and experience

• Strong legal research and analytical skills.
• Professional client interaction and interpersonal skills.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience of similar work experience is advantageous but not essential.
• High quality written work e.g. instructions to professionals, advice letters to clients.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Attention to detail e.g. identifying important information in evidence.
• Ability to absorb factual information and analyse matters legally.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to adopt an empathetic approach to client’s needs.

Person Specification

The following criteria are essential to the role:

• The candidate must have a qualifying law degree or SQE1 equivalent.
• The candidate must have a demonstrable interest in private client work.

The following criteria are preferable but are not essential to the role:

• Having passed the Legal Practice Course or SQE2.
• Previous experience of private client work.

Employment terms

• Responsible to - The Directors.
• Salary - £24,000 pa. Increases are subject to annual review and the GN Law pay policy.
• Pension - The post-holder will be enrolled automatically in the GN Law’s pension scheme.
• Contract type - Permanent, subject to satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period.
• Hours - 37.5 hours a week.
• Base - GN Law offices, Lodge Lane, North Finchley, London – hybrid working available.
• Annual leave - 20 days excluding public holidays. The leave year is 1 January-31 December and leave is calculated on a pro rata basis.
• Maternity / shared parental leave - We offer an enhanced package of maternity/shared parental pay.
• Notice period - Following successful completion of the probationary period, the appointment may be terminated by not less than 3 months’ notice in writing by either side.

Application process

Please send your CV and cover letter to hr@gnlaw.co.uk - applications without a cover letter will not be accepted. You must demonstrate how you meet all of the essential criteria in the Person Specification. If you do not have access to email, you can send a paper application to the address given on the application form. Please get in touch if you have any other access requirements in order to submit an application. All applicants are also requested to complete and submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form available via the Careers page on our website. Any information collated from this form will not be used as part of the selection process and will be treated as strictly confidential. The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 2nd May 2025. We cannot be held responsible for applications that do not reach us, or that arrive after the deadline. Interviews will take place over two stages. An initial interview will be carried out online. The second stage will be held at our office, 2A Lodge Lane, London N12 8JR. If you are shortlisted for an initial interview, we will contact you directly. No references will be taken up until a provisional offer of employment has been made. Unsuccessful applicants will be informed by email.