Paralegal - Court of Protection in Newcastle upon Tyne

We're a national law firm with a local reach.

Our legal experts are here for you.

Whether it's personal or business, we understand that everyone's situation is different.

But we're more than just a law firm - we're a team of people working together to help individuals and businesses navigate life's ups and downs.

Working here you'll feel a part of our friendly and inclusive environment.

We're going to value you for who you are and what you bring.

We support each other and push boundaries to achieve incredible things and make a real difference to our clients and communities.

We're always looking to support our colleagues to work in a way that works best for them and everyone else, including our clients, the business and the regulators.

Please speak to a member of our Recruitment and Onboarding team for more information.

Our Team

The Court of Protection is the judicial body responsible for making decisions relating to the management of finances and personal affairs for individuals who lack the mental capacity to do so themselves.

As one of the UK's leading law firms, we have a highly regarded team specialising in Court of Protection matters. We support:

• Clients managing the affairs of others
• Individuals concerned about someone else's capacity
• Clients seeking support with their own decision-making capacity

Your Role and What You'll Be Doing

This is a busy and fast-paced role, requiring strong attention to detail, the ability to prioritise effectively, and a collaborative approach to working with colleagues and clients.

You'll be a key point of contact for our clients, many of whom have life-changing disabilities such as serious brain injuries, dementia, and mental health illnesses.

You'll help these individuals manage their financial affairs and work closely with the team's Associates and Partners to ensure they have the right support at all times.

Key Responsibilities

• Take instructions from clients and assist in delivering legal advice, including gathering evidence and progressing matters toward resolution
• Manage caseload tasks efficiently while maintaining high standards of accuracy and client care
• Achieve time recording and fee income targets to support profitable working
• Attend and contribute to team meetings, supporting delivery of team objectives
• Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and attend training to maintain best practice and technical knowledge
• Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with clients and colleagues

About You

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a busy workload, prioritising competing demands effectively.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team while using initiative to progress matters independently where appropriate.
• Empathy, professionalism and the ability to support clients in sensitive and sometimes challenging circumstances.
• Competent IT skills and the ability to maintain accurate records and case information.
• Previous experience in Court of Protection work.
• Experience working with vulnerable clients or within a sensitive legal, healthcare or social care environment.
• Demonstrable interest in mental capacity law or related practice areas.
• Previous experience in a paralegal, legal assistant or similar legal support role.
• Our Benefits - What We Can Offer You
• 25 days holidays as standard plus bank holidays - You can 'buy' up to 35hrs of extra holiday too.
• Generous and flexible pension schemes.
• Volunteering days - Two days of volunteering every year for a cause of your choice (fully paid)
• Westfield Health membership, offering refunds on medical services alongside our Aviva Digital GP services.

We also offer a wide range of well-being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace and to make sure you're fully supported.

This includes our Flexible by Choice programme which gives our colleagues more choice over a hybrid way of working subject to role, team and client requirements.

We have been ranked in the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing for Large Organisations for 2024!

Our responsible business programmes are fundamental to who we are and our purpose.

We're committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where our colleagues can flourish, and we have established a number of inclusion network groups across our business to support this aim.

Our commitment to Social Responsibility, community investment activity and tackling climate change is a fundamental part of who we are.

It's made up of four strands: Our People, Our Community, Our Environment and Our Pro Bono.

Additional Information

As part of the Irwin Mitchell Group's onboarding process all successful applicants are required to complete the group's employment screening process.

This process helps to ensure that all new employees meet our standards in relation to honesty and integrity therefore protecting the interests of the Group, colleagues, clients, partners and other stakeholders.

We carry out pre employment screening to establish your eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record and financial checks with our trusted 3rd parties.

The employment screening process will fully comply with Data Protection and other applicable laws.

Irwin Mitchell LLP is an equal opportunity employer.

• We're proud of our values, and we're looking for people who share them
• Court of Protection & Public Law/Human Rights
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