Paralegal (potential Training Contract) - Actions Against Public Authorities - Deighton Pierce Glynn (DPG)

Closing date: 10.00 am 21st March 2025

We are looking for a Paralegal for our London office.

To provide casework and administrative support to Fee Earning members of staff

Duties and Responsibilities

(a) Casework

To the extent commensurate with experience and to the extent directed by the Fee Earner to conduct casework within the firm’s selected areas of legal practice and to support the casework done by the Fee Earner, in particular:

• to assist in the preparation of bundles and the collation of documents
• to conduct legal research- to arrange and conduct meetings with clients, sometimes including travel to meet with clients at locations outside of the office
• to draft letters, witness statements, chronologies, applications and other documents- to attend court to issue proceedings and applications and to clerk on counsel
• to take new client calls and provide summaries for fee earners- to conduct casework in compliance with the Legal Aid Agency requirements
• to ensure that casework is profitable and that steps are taken to maximise profitability- to instruct and manage the work of counsel, experts and agents within the firm’s written procedures.
• to complete public funding forms and conditional fee agreements- to assist with the prompt billing and costing of files
• to identify and exploit opportunities to expand and develop the firm’s casework- to record time spent on casework

(b) Administrative support

• to take responsibility for filing the incoming and outgoing post
• to keep the firm’s diaries and other central records up to date
• to ensure that all paper files and electronic files are managed and are up to date
• to work with other staff to ensure that the office and the casework is run smoothly and efficiently, covering the work of others where required
• to print out letters and collate enclosures for letters
• to print out standard letters on cases

Salary £27,000 per annum.

Whilst the position does not guarantee a training contract, or SQE training equivalent, we recruit trainees from our paralegals, and it is anticipated that the right candidate will be able to pursue a training contract or the new equivalent after 12 months of working at DPG.

Person specification

Essential:
• Analytical ability (being able to think like a lawyer).
• A demonstrable interest in civil liberties, anti-racism, equality and social justice, through work history, campaigning or other means.
• Communication skills that can engage clients, build trust and advocate, particularly with disadvantaged people and/or people who have English as a second language, mental health needs or learning disabilities.
• An ability to write clearly in plain English.
• Attention to detail, organisational skills & excellent time management.
• IT skills - ability to type, computer literacy and a willingness to use, and aptitude for, developing skills in the use of information technology.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to use initiative at work, work independently, input ideas and help develop the firm.
• Ability to conduct legal research and keep up to date with legal developments in relevant areas.

Desirable:
• Knowledge and/or experience of legal aid.

Our AAPA team currently consists of three partners, two consultant and eight solicitors. The lawyers tend to have developed areas of expertise such as discrimination, immigration detention or inquests which is something we encourage.

The lawyers have their own caseloads. Junior lawyers also assist senior lawyers on their cases.

All our casework is supervised internally at regular intervals. The types of cases you would work on would depend upon the needs of the firm as well as your experience and interests.

The team has weekly meetings at which issues arising out of our cases are discussed. Team members also take part in external meetings and events relevant to our work and are expected to attend such events in the evening as necessary. We consider discussion necessary to maintain the very high standard of representation that we provide.

We are committed to making DPG a great place to work and aim to retain our staff. This is a central value for us. We want to employ the best people we can, and therefore positively encourage suitably qualified and eligible candidates to apply regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. If you think you may need reasonable adjustments and would like to discuss this before applying, you can speak confidentially to Leonie Porter who you can contact directly at lporter@dpglaw.co.uk.

How to apply

Please complete all parts of the application form and return to us by email by the deadline.

Interviews: Suitable candidates will be invited to attend a skills test and invited to attend an interview in the week of 1st April 2025