Human Rights Paralegal (Migrant Rights)

About the team

Our Human Rights team are currently working on a large variety of cases for individuals based within the UK and abroad. This role will sit within Waleed Sheikh's team who primarily for clients who are, or have been, detained under immigration powers. This includes public and private law claims challenging unlawful detention, delays in the provision of Home Office accommodation and claims related to other immigration bail conditions. They also act for age-disputed unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

The team also act in ARAP cases for Afghan nationals employed by the British military in Afghanistan. Other work includes national security cases in proceedings before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission and the High Court, as well as race-based discrimination cases. They also act in high profile cases of public international law.

Overall purpose for this role

To assist the team with progressing their case work and providing overall support with both fee earning work and administrative tasks.

This role involves both proactively taking control of and managing non-legal work of the team, but also assisting to progress casework with research, taking witness statements, preparing bundles, legal aid applications and drafting documents.

Main duties and responsibilities

The role involves utilising our case management system, drafting letters and emails, dealing with clients, experts, counsel and other solicitors, preparing bundles and general administrative support, including the tasks summarised below:

• Providing the team with expertise and support in advanced use of Microsoft Word, Excel and other relevant software, including the firm's document management system.
• Liaising with clients, barristers, other solicitors, experts, costs draftsmen, the courts and others to arrange meetings and also to give and receive information and documents.
• Ensuring that data protection obligations are met in relation to handling clients' confidential information.
• Understanding and delivering compliance requirements of Lexcel and otherwise.
• Working closely with clients including those who may be vulnerable, such as victims of torture, modern slavery, individuals with complex mental health needs, and individuals with a criminal offending history. Taking detailed instructions from clients including regarding traumatic personal events.
• Preparing legal documents such as pre-action Letters Before Claim, witness statements, Schedules of Loss and Court Budgets.
• Management of electronic files on Liberate, including file opening, regularly updating case information, time recording, ledgers, preparation of bills and file closing.
• Proven ability to utilise internet research skills.
• Accurately managing client paper files, including the timely and accurate filing of correspondence and documents and sorting / paginating evidence, including medical and personnel records.
• Producing accurate documents, correspondence, minutes and meeting notes as required.
• Conducting financial eligibility assessments for public funding and taking responsibility for the monitoring of Legal Aid Agency requirements as a case progresses, and ensuring these are met.
• Using electronic bundling software to produce bundles of documents for the court and others.
• Promoting and facilitating teamwork by offering and seeking help whenever necessary.
• Undertaking other ad- hoc duties as requested from time to time.

Training

• To ensure that adequate training is undertaken in the areas covered by the role in order to be able to deliver a high quality and effective service.

Person Specification

• Genuine interest to work with a leading claimant law firm and passionate about providing access to justice to all.
• Demonstrable previous experience of working in an administrative or paralegal role.
• Proven ability to communicate accurately, clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and clients.
• Demonstrable experience of a high level of proficiency in IT, especially with word and excel skills, fast and accurate keyboard skills.
• Proven experience in dealing sensitively with clients and managing difficult situations and conversations professionally.
• Proven ability to organise and prioritise a complex workload and work to tight deadlines whilst maintaining a positive attitude.
• Proven ability to take initiative, work and contribute in a team environment and maintain a professional conduct.
• High level of numeracy and good at problem solving.
• Proven commitment to maintaining the highest levels of integrity and professional conduct.

Desirable

• Links with groups or organisations supporting clients in national security cases.
• Previous experience making applications for Legal Aid and using CCMS.
• Previous experience working with communities and individuals abroad.
• Previous experience working with vulnerable individuals and individuals with a history of criminal offending.
• Previous experience within the legal sector desirable.
• Experience of using an online case management system / tool.

About Leigh Day

We are a top 100 law firmcommitted to claimant-only cases, ensuring that individuals have the same access to justice as the UK Government and large corporations. We're not afraid to take on difficult and challenging cases involving medical negligence, serious personal injuries, discrimination in the workplace, defective products and human rights abuses in this country and overseas.

• Hybrid working (typically 2-3 days from home for a full time worker)
• 29 days annual leave (excluding public holidays)
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Life assurance 4 x salary
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
• Electric car scheme

Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Leigh Day is committed to the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We value the diversity of our colleagues, our clients and the third parties with whom we work. We seek to create an environment where everyone feels included and valued for their unique characteristics, skills and abilities and supported in their needs and responsibilities.

We welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. Please let us know if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application or recruitment process. There is an option to detail this on your application form, however, please just get in touch should you wish to discuss this prior to formally submitting an application. Please note all conversations or disclosures are treated in the strictest confidence.