Senior Crime Paralegal (Police Station Accredited) in London

Role: Senior Crime Paralegal - Police Station Accreditation

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is seeking a motivated talented and higly experienced Crime Paralegal to join our highly regarded Crime Department.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your career with one of the UK's leading law firms, recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a top-tier practice and awarded Law Firm of the Year at both the 2024 Lexis Nexis Awards and the 2023 Modern Law Awards.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in the City of London, Duncan Lewis Solicitors is a national, award-winning, paperless law firm with over 500 professionals nationwide.

Our ethos is simple: "We give people a voice."

Ranked by Chambers & Partners, our highly regarded Crime Department provides expert representation at every stage of the criminal justice process.

Our team includes accredited Police Station Representatives and Higher Courts Advocates, offering 24/7 advice and representation in matters ranging from police investigations to serious and complex Crown Court cases.

We regularly represent clients before the Youth Court, Magistrates' Court, Crown Court, and Court of Appeal, and have extensive experience handling high-profile cases, appeals against conviction and sentence, judicial reviews, and applications to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Duties and responsibilities

As a Senior Crime Paralegal, you will play a key role in supporting solicitors on complex criminal matters while independently undertaking police station attendances and managing your own caseload of criminal defence matters where appropriate.

• Report directly to the Department Director and assist with the management of complex criminal cases.
• Provide accredited representation and advice to clients at police stations, including out-of-hours call-outs where required.
• Manage a varied caseload of criminal matters, including Legal Aid Agency (LAA) funded and privately funded work.
• Attend clients, take detailed instructions, and prepare cases from initial investigation through to trial.
• Liaise with clients, counsel, courts, police, prosecution agencies, experts, and other third parties.
• Prepare legal documentation, witness statements, case summaries, defence statements, and trial bundles.
• Review, analyse, and process evidence
• Prepare and submit Legal Aid applications and ensure compliance with Legal Aid Agency requirements.
• Assist solicitors and advocates with trial preparation, conferences, and court hearings.
• Attend Magistrates' Courts, Crown Courts, and other tribunals as required.
• Maintain accurate time recording and file management records.
• Ensure full compliance with SRA standards, regulatory requirements, departmental procedures, and quality standards.
• Implementing any recommendations made by your supervisor following monthly file reviews ensuring that these are dealt with promptly
• Deliver outstanding client care and support clients throughout criminal proceedings with professionalism, sensitivity, and discretion.
• Ensuring compliance with file management.

Experience and qualifications

This role is ideally suited to a candidate with substantial criminal defence experience who is confident working in a fast-paced environment, handling sensitive matters, and providing exceptional support to clients throughout the criminal justice process.

• A strong academic background with a Law degree
• Police Station Accreditation (essential).
• Significant experience working within Criminal Defence Law.
• Proven experience as a Crime Paralegal, Criminal Caseworker, Police Station Representative, or Criminal Defence Advisor.
• Strong knowledge of criminal procedure, criminal evidence, and the criminal justice system.
• Experience handling a broad range of criminal matters, including serious and complex cases.
• Ability to confidently attend and represent clients at police stations independently.
• Business acumen and the ability to market the Company
• Excellent communications skills to work effectively with all types of people
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills and ability to use own initiative but know when to seek guidance
• Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills

Benefits

• Competitive salary with structured pay review process
• Company pension scheme
• 22 days annual leave, increasing with length of service
• Additional birthday leave*
• Occupational sick pay*
• Payment of practising certificate and relevant professional membership fees*
• Access to extensive e-library resources and training webinars
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and wellbeing support
• Employee referral scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Enhanced family-friendly benefits*
• DBS checks paid by the Company
• Flexible and hybrid working options, including part-time arrangements where appropriate
• Support for solicitor qualification and SQE1 examinations*
• Clear career progression opportunities
• Support for industry recognition, awards, and professional profile development
• Company Medical Cash Plan*

*Subject to eligibility and Company policy.

Company culture

At Duncan Lewis Solicitors, we are passionate about creating an environment where talented professionals can thrive.

We are proud of our diverse and inclusive workforce and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees.

Our long-standing Investors in People Gold Standard accreditation reflects our commitment to employee development, while our Lexcel, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 certifications demonstrate our dedication to excellence, innovation and security.

We invest heavily in the growth of our people through ongoing training, mentoring, clear progression pathways and opportunities to gain industry recognition.

Whether you are looking to deepen your expertise, develop leadership skills or advance your career within a nationally recognised law firm, Duncan Lewis provides the platform to help you succeed.

Join a firm where your expertise is valued, your development is supported, and your work makes a genuine difference to the lives of clients across the UK.