At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Legal department with civil and criminal litigation, legal research, and case management.
- Company: Local government organisation in Newton Abbot with a focus on community service.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for contract extension and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable legal experience.
- Qualifications: Relevant legal qualification or substantial paralegal experience required.
The predicted salary is between 20.23 - 20.23 £ per hour.
Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Paralegal for our client, a local government organisation based in Newton Abbot.
The successful post holder will assist in the smooth operation of the Legal department by providing a wide range of legal services support, particularly across civil and criminal litigation, planning, licensing, prosecutions, conveyancing, complaints and legal content management.
The post holder will manage and progress legal matters, undertake legal research and advocacy, and provide effective legal support to officers, members and senior legal colleagues.
This role is a temporary contract with an initial contract length of 3 months with the possibility to extend. Hybrid working with 3 days per week in the office.
Duties and Responsibilities but not limited to
- Prepare and progress cases to be dealt with in the Civil Courts, including injunctions, debt recovery proceedings and landlord and tenant matters.
- Arrange and participate in telephone conferences and represent the organisation at Court where appropriate.
- Prepare cases for the Criminal Courts, including prosecutions relating to environmental protection, housing standards, education welfare, anti-social behaviour, trading standards, fraud and other regulatory matters.
- Analyse and advise upon evidence in respect of civil and criminal matters.
- Draft legal documentation including summonses, informations, statements of case and originating applications.
- Attend pre-hearing meetings and provide appropriate legal advice and support.
- Undertake advocacy at the County Courts, Magistrates’ Court and Tribunals, including preliminary hearings, interim applications and trials.
- Carry out legal research and provide advice at the appropriate level to services across the organisation.
- Ensure compliance with Court directions and legal deadlines in a timely and efficient manner.
- Prepare briefs for Counsel attending Court, Tribunal Hearings and Public Inquiries.
- Attend conferences with Counsel and assist at Hearings and Public Inquiries.
- Work jointly with Senior Legal Officers on Employment Tribunal cases.
- Support Senior Legal Officers on licensing and prosecution matters.
- Advise the organisation’s Licensing function on matters relating to licensing and gambling.
- Act as Legal Adviser to members of the organisation’s Licensing Sub-Committee where required.
- Develop and support the development of legal policies and procedures.
- Keep up to date with relevant legislation, case law and policy developments, advising officers and members accordingly.
- Provide assistance and support to Senior Legal Officers across Legal Services as required.
- Undertake legal work in other areas of law as directed by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.
- Assist with planning, conveyancing, complaints and other legal services work as required.
- Maintain relevant professional standards and contribute to the organisation’s commitment to continuous development and collaborative working.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the general level of responsibility of the post.
Personal Requirements
- Relevant legal qualification, such as an LLB, BA Law or CPE/GDL obtained within the last 7 years, or completion of CILEX Advanced Level or Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice.
- Alternatively, candidates with substantial relevant experience as a Paralegal and experience managing their own caseload may be considered.
- Experience of managing and progressing legal cases with a good level of independence.
- Experience or knowledge of civil and criminal litigation procedures.
- Ability to analyse evidence, undertake legal research and provide clear and practical advice.
- Experience of drafting legal documentation and preparing cases for Court or Tribunal proceedings.
- Ability to undertake advocacy or demonstrate the potential to develop advocacy skills.
- Strong mediation and negotiation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet demanding legal and Court deadlines.
- Resilience and the ability to work effectively with demanding or challenging customers and stakeholders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- A desire to develop legal knowledge and professional competency.
- Intermediate Microsoft 365 skills, including Word, Outlook, Excel, One Drive, Planner, Share Point, Teams and Copilot.
- Knowledge of legal case management and database software.
- Experience of working within local government or a similar public sector environment would be desirable.
- Ability to work collaboratively with Senior Legal Officers, Counsel, external legal professionals and colleagues across the organisation.
Working Hours
35 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
Pay
Please note this role is within IR35.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Legal Officer (Paralegal) employer: Positive Employment
As a local government organisation in Guildford, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Our commitment to continuous improvement in Housing Services not only enhances community satisfaction but also provides our team with meaningful opportunities to make a real impact. With flexible hybrid working arrangements and a focus on collaboration, we empower our employees to thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Officer (Paralegal)
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Positive Employment.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Positive Employment does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Positive Employment.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Officer (Paralegal)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Positive Employment and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Positive Employment
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Legal Officer (Paralegal) role at Positive Employment. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Positive Employment.
