Paralegal (Civil Litigation Unit) (Grade G) Legal Services Branch (Ref: 313) in Manchester

Legal Services provides a critical support service for officers and staff at all levels in GMP. The Branch is made up of circa 50 legally qualified and non‑qualified staff split across six units, including four dedicated legal units that specialise in Operational Policing, Civil Litigation, Employment and Misconduct, and Public and Regulatory. Members of our teams provide legal advice across the above areas and our key partners in ensuring GMP re‑establishes itself as a leading police force who fight and reduce crime, keep people safe and care for victims. Our legal work is interesting, fast‑paced and rewarding with no two days being the same. You can expect to be challenged and have the highest level of career fulfilment here, because you can and will make a difference. Every single member of the team understands their role in contributing to the provision of our service, and the business benefits it brings.

A number of exciting opportunities have arisen to work within GMP’s Legal Services Branch.

Candidate Profile

If you are hard‑working, motivated and adaptable; want to take a challenging and rewarding opportunity to work as part of a friendly and supportive team and can demonstrate the attributes and behaviours that GMP expects of its police staff and officers, we welcome your application.

Position: Paralegal – Civil Team

• Handle a caseload of pre‑litigated public liability, employer’s liability and motor claims against the Chief Constable.
• Provide support to solicitors in the team.
• Provide Force‑wide advice in order to minimise exposure to risk.
• Communicate confidently and effectively, showing understanding of civil procedure and police‑related legislation.
• Act always in the best interests of the Chief Constable and demonstrate awareness of the wider impact of your decision‑making.

Political Restriction

This post is politically restricted under the provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Your post is defined as ‘politically restricted’ and you must not, therefore, engage in political activities. Further information about such activities can be found in the Politically Restricted Posts Policy available on the Greater Manchester Police intranet site.

Security Vetting

Successful candidates will be required to undergo security vetting.

Important Eligibility Criteria

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Will not be appointed until you are at least 18 years old.
• Must have at least 5 years residency in the UK.

Application Preparation

You may require the following detail to complete this application form:

• National Insurance Number
• Identification detail e.g. passport
• Address information
• Full employment history including dates and any qualifications you may have attained
• Tattoos – you will also be requested to provide photos and describe any tattoos you have

Documents That May Be Requested

• A passport‑style photograph
• A copy of your photo card driving licence
• A copy of your paper driving licence counterpart (Northern Ireland only)
• A copy of your passport or birth certificate
• Copies of your qualifications relating to English and maths (only)
• Clear colour photos of all tattoos
• Formal translation from a reputable source for any foreign language or symbol tattoos
• Any paperwork relating to discharged debts, CCJ, bankruptcy, etc.
• Deed poll certificate for any name changes

Application System Information

The application system remains active on a single page for a period of 60 minutes. Please ensure you allow time to complete your application fully as partially complete pages do not save.

Eligibility to Apply for a Police Staff Role

To be eligible to apply for a police staff role in GMP, you need to demonstrate that you have the appropriate right to work in the UK and to carry out the hours or type of work that you are applying for. Due to the Equality Act (2010) the sickness will not be checked until the conditional offer stage of the recruitment process and therefore candidates need to ensure that they have a good attendance record for the last 2 years for staff and officers and for 12 months for apprentices. The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against a disabled person in all areas of employment, including recruitment. The Police Service welcomes people with disabilities and will do its best to make reasonable adjustments to the working arrangements and/or the working environment providing it is possible to do so. Applicants with a disability meeting all essential criteria should be progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join GMP.

Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunities employer, GMP is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

Contact

Please contact GMP Recruitment at gmprecruitment1@gmp.police.uk.

Additional Notes

Policing values are enshrined in the Ethical Policing Principles (a copy of which is attached). Apprentices must be in the last 6 months of their apprenticeship to be eligible to apply for this role. The portal to upload tattoos should not be used to upload CVs or expressions of interest; if you do so, your application will not be included in the recruitment process.