Paralegal - Education law - Rook Irwin Sweeney

Deadline for applications: 7 April 2025

We are recruiting for a full time paralegal, predominantly to assist with the firm’s education work, as well as to support our other practice areas.

About Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP

Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP is a specialist public law and human rights firm. We are known for our work in high-profile cases holding public authorities to account, as well as our dedication to individual clients. Our lawyers have acted in many of the leading public law cases over the last decade. The firm is ranked in Band 1 for its education work by Legal 500, and is ranked highly across a number of practice areas in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. We were recognised as one of The Times’ best law firms in England and Wales in 2025.

The firm has a particular focus on the rights and interests of disabled people and their families. The firm operates a hybrid working model, with a staffed office in Bethnal Green, East London.

The firm’s practice areas are education law, administrative and public law (judicial review), human rights, welfare matters in the Court of Protection, health and social care, and environmental public law.

The Role

We are looking for a full time paralegal, predominantly to assist with the firm’s education work, as well as to support our other practice areas.

We would prefer the successful candidate to work from our office in East London at least once a week, but we are open to receiving applications from applicants who need flexibility of location.

General responsibilities and tasks

• Carrying out fee earning tasks as requested by partners and solicitors
• Taking responsibility for managing own time and deadlines and ensuring diary dates are observed
• Meeting relevant quality and professional standards
• Contributing towards the team’s financial target
• Drafting and preparing court forms and pleadings under supervision of the partners and solicitors
• Preparing legal aid applications including statements in support, drafting legal aid forms on the online legal aid platform, reviewing and obtaining financial information which is required for legal aid means applications and preparing amendments and High Cost Case Plans
• Carrying out cost checks on cases and ensuring we remain in budget, including the provision of cost updates to clients if necessary
• Assisting with new enquiries
• Identifying experts who can report in cases and obtaining quotes
• Preparing initial drafts of documents as required e.g. letters of instruction to experts and other letters to clients and opponents
• Preparing documents and forms in education tribunal cases such as Request for Change Forms, Case Review Forms etc
• Preparation of bundles such as court bundles, bundles for experts, and bundles for counsel
• Carrying out legal research
• Other legal and administrative tasks as required

Who we are looking for:

As a paralegal you will work with the partners and solicitors on their case load.

We expect applicants to hold a law degree or graduate (or post-graduate) diploma in law. However candidates with proven experience in a law firm and capable of carrying out the tasks outlined above will also be considered.

Successful candidates will also need to demonstrate a passion for public law and / or education law as well as being able to demonstrate excellent client care, organisational and communication skills. You will be able to work in a fast-paced environment within a team, as well as being comfortable using your own initiative.

Some experience of education law is desirable, particularly special educational needs work. Experience of welfare work in the Court of Protection, and on judicial review with a focus on health and social care and disability, would be an advantage, but is not essential. We will offer you all of the training and support you need to succeed in your role.

The Benefits of working with Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP

The salary will range between £25,000 to £30,000 per annum, according to experience and location.

Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP places a strong emphasis on the wellbeing of its people.

We are currently trialling a reduced hours working week, where we work 90% of our full-time working hours for a full-time salary (or the pro rata equivalent). This is not a compressed hours arrangement.

We have a self-managed annual leave policy, where we encourage staff to manage their own annual leave responsibly, so that, providing you are able to meet the requirements and responsibilities of your role, there is no limit to the annual leave you can take.

We have monthly reflective practice sessions facilitated by a Clinical Psychologist, a flexible working policy, optional private healthcare, and employees will also have access to a 24 hour employee assistance programme. We do not have individual fee or time targets and instead the team works towards a collective team target for the financial year.

Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to supporting the wellbeing of its staff.

Competencies and requirements:

Person specification – Skills, knowledge , experience and attributes required

• At least 5 GCSEs A* – C including in English and Maths, and at least 2 A Levels at A* – C.
• Legal qualification (e.g. law degree) or graduate or post-graduate diploma in law and/or relevant experience at another law firm
• Computer skills – proficiency at using all Office programmes
• Knowledge of case management programmes (not essential)

Practical skills:

• Organisational skills
• Ability to manage numerous deadlines from multiple team members
• Time management skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English
• Ability to prioritise own workload
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Communication skills
• Client care skills
• Drafting skills

How to apply

Please provide your CV and a covering letter, explaining why you consider that you are a suitable candidate for the role, to Samantha Patrick, finance and operations manager, by no later than 5pm on Monday 7 April 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an online interview.

Please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustments so that we can help with making the application process work for you.