Youth Crime Paralegal - Bromley

GT Stewart Solicitors is seeking a diligent and empathetic Paralegal to join our Youth Crime Team in our Bromley office. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in criminal law, excellent communication skills, and a genuine commitment to supporting children and young people through complex legal procedures. As a Paralegal, you will work alongside solicitors within our Youth Crime Team handling cases involving criminal charges, investigations, trials, and other criminal law matters. This role presents an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

Your Profile

• A sincere commitment to supporting young and vulnerable clients through challenging legal proceedings.
• A proven ability or strong interest in assisting with cases involving criminal charges, investigations, trials, and Youth Court matters.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with children, young people, and their families from diverse and often vulnerable backgrounds.
• An awareness of the issues affecting young people in the criminal justice system, including vulnerability, exploitation, and the impact of social factors on offending behaviour.
• The ability to approach youth clients with sensitivity, professionalism, and an understanding of safeguarding considerations.
• The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities and responding to the shorter timeframes associated with Youth Court matters.

What We Expect the Ideal Candidate to:

• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Conduct thorough initial consultations with clients to gather information regarding their legal matters and personal circumstances.
• Conduct comprehensive legal research and analysis to support case preparation and strategy.
• Coordinate with clients, opposing parties, and relevant professionals to collect evidence and exchange information.
• Manage case files meticulously, ensuring accuracy and organisation of all documentation.
• Assist in scheduling court hearings and meetings on behalf of clients.
• Attend court hearings and other legal proceedings as necessary, taking notes and assisting with case preparation.
• Support solicitors in cases involving youth defendants, including liaising with appropriate adults, youth offending teams, and other support services.
• Work efficiently to meet tight deadlines, particularly in Youth Court matters where turnaround times are significantly shorter.
• Maintain an awareness of safeguarding responsibilities, particularly when working with young or vulnerable clients.
• Uphold confidentiality and adhere to professional standards and ethical guidelines at all times.

Additional Qualifications

• A candidate capable of adapting quickly to the role.
• Familiarity with legal aid processes.
• Previous experience in a legal environment, preferably in criminal law.
• Ideally, police station accreditation, or a commitment to obtaining this in the near future.

Working With Us

We offer continuous training and support to foster your professional growth as a valued member of our dynamic and expanding team. You will be primarily based in our Bromley office. While there may be occasional opportunities to work across other office locations to support the wider team, this is not an essential requirement. You will benefit from ongoing development opportunities as part of a strong and growing multi-office team. Our comprehensive benefits package includes generous annual leave allowances.