Summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest national law firms in the UK.
Wage
£21,840 a year
Training course
Paralegal (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday. Shifts to be confirmed.
35 hours a week
Possible start date
Thursday 25 September
Duration
2 years
Positions available
1
Work
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
What you’ll do at work
Your Role
An exciting opportunity to join one of the largest national law firms in the UK. You will be supporting the Leeds Court of Protection Team and managing large medical negligence or Personal Injury damages awards in order to meet the client’s needs. We help clients who are responsible for managing someone else’s affairs, those who are concerned about the ability of someone else to manage their own affairs or another person’s affairs and clients who may be concerned about their own ability to manage their affairs.
Paralegals support solicitors in preparing cases for trial and progressing transactions. This involves creating and organising case files, as well as contacting clients and performing legal research. This programme offers a great grounding for a career in law.
Your main responsibilities within the department will include the following:
* Taking instructions from clients and assist with the giving of legal advice, including obtaining evidence and, where appropriate, to achieve appropriate resolutions for the client.
* As well as being the point of contact for clients and therefore need to have excellent communication skills; assisting with the management of client finances under the supervision of the deputy which would include paying invoices, purchasing equipment, setting up new bank accounts and standing orders, assisting with the management of household utilities, preparing spreadsheets, taking notes during client meetings.
* Liaising with core stakeholders including case managers and other fee earners within the business regarding care issues that arise on all directly employed care packages. These could range from change of hours to matters where support workers are suspended and investigated due to conduct issues.
* Attend and contribute to team/practice area meetings and comply with directions/decisions made to ensure team objectives achieved.
* Liaising with core stakeholders including case managers and other fee earners within the business regarding care issues that arise on all directly employed care packages. These could range from change of hours to matters where support workers are suspended and investigated due to conduct issues.
* You will need to become familiar with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and will work with clients who may have suffered brain injury as a result of medical negligence or accidents. You will also need to keep up to date with changes in relevant law and practice and attend appropriate training events as and when required.
* Communicating with clients, other firms of solicitors and third parties by telephone or in writing including taking client instructions and providing case updates when appropriate.
* Achieve time recording and fee income targets to ensure profitable working.
* Ensuring compliance with the firm’s policies and procedures.
* Conducting legal research as requested by members of the team.
* You may sometimes be required to complete relevant administration duties including photocopying, scanning documents, amending documentation, filing, archiving and file maintenance.
* You will be expected to be predominantly office based during the first 6 months of your apprenticeship in order to support your learning within this division.
Where you’ll work
2 Wellington Place
Leeds
LS1 4BZ
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
College or training organisation
BPP PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION LIMITED
Your training course
Paralegal (level 3)
Equal to A level
Course contents
* assist in administering procedures using most effective channels to progress caseloads.
* conduct legal research using selected sources such as legal databases.
* solve legal technical problems within their remit and escalating as needed.
* present findings from legal research in line with organisational expectations.
* assist in applying the principles of Law to stakeholder cases.
* assist with legal matters and transactions within the organisation.
* communicate using plain English to provide clarification and explanation of the legal process and standard legal terms.
* organise and administer workflow such as legal files, case management and accounting systems to progress work within service level expectations.
* carry out file management activities such as prepare and collate bundles, take and file accurate notes, close and review files, maintain databases and version control.
* use a range of digital tools and technologies, for example to draft legal documents, conduct legal research, carry out data analysis and collaborate with others.
* apply fraud protection measures and cyber security procedures in relation to transactions, keeping up to date with approaches.
* undertake activities to ensure a clear picture of a stakeholder’s needs and risks throughout legal transactions.
* assess risks and benefits to the stakeholder of different options and making recommendations to senior team members to ensure that they work in the stakeholders’ best interests.
* assist in administering procedures using most effective channels to progress caseloads.
* conduct legal research using selected sources such as legal databases.
* solve legal technical problems within their remit and escalating as needed.
* present findings from legal research in line with organisational expectations.
* assist in applying the principles of Law to stakeholder cases.
* assist with legal matters and transactions within the organisation.
* communicate using plain English to provide clarification and explanation of the legal process and standard legal terms.
* organise and administer workflow such as legal files, case management and accounting systems to progress work within service level expectations.
* carry out file management activities such as prepare and collate bundles, take and file accurate notes, close and review files, maintain databases and version control.
* use a range of digital tools and technologies, for example to draft legal documents, conduct legal research, carry out data analysis and collaborate with others.
* apply fraud protection measures and cyber security procedures in relation to transactions, keeping up to date with approaches.
* undertake activities to ensure a clear picture of a stakeholder’s needs and risks throughout legal transactions.
* assess risks and benefits to the stakeholder of different options and making recommendations to senior team members to ensure that they work in the stakeholders’ best interests.
Your training plan
You will be working towards a Level 3 Paralegal apprenticeship standard.
More training information
Founded in 1912, Irwin Mitchell has helped over one million clients so far. These include individuals, small businesses, as well as national and international organisations. We currently employ over 2,500 people across 14 offices. The IMCF (Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation) was set up in 1997 and has so far donated over £1 million to local and national causes. We give all our employees 14 hours a year to use on voluntary work, to give back to our communities.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* 5 GCSE's including English and Maths (grade (A*-C/9-4 or equivalent))
A Level in:
* 3 x A Levels or equivalent (Exclu General Studies) (grade (A-C/9-4 or equivalent))
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Team working
* Time management skills
* Microsoft Word, Office & Excel
* Strong desire to work
* Friendly
* Reliable
* Confident
* Resilient
* Ability to work at speed
* Flexible approach to work
* To work on own initiative
* Ability to multitask
* Ability to meet deadlines
Other requirements
As part of the Irwin Mitchell Group’s on-boarding process all successful applicants are required to complete the group’s employment screening process. This process helps to ensure that all new employees meet our standards in relation to honesty and integrity therefore protecting the interests of the Group, existing employees, clients, partners and other stakeholders. The background checks made will establish your eligibility to work in the UK, and criminal record check and financial checks ¬with a credit reference agency will also be undertaken. The employment screening process will fully comply with Data Protection and other applicable laws. Irwin Mitchell LLP is an equal opportunity employer.