Summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the largest national law firms in the UK. We seek to understand the people and business we work with as deeply as possible and take time to listen to what matters most to them.
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
2
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
We're a full-service law firm, which means whatever advice is needed we can help. Giving the best possible advice is about more than knowledge and expertise.
Whichever team you join, working here you’ll feel a part of our friendly and inclusive environment. We’ll value you for who you are and what you bring. We support each other and push boundaries to achieve incredible things and make a real difference to our clients and communities.
Your Role
An exciting opportunity to join one of the largest national law firms in the UK. You will be supporting the Sheffield Costs Team in recovering legal costs for the firm.
As part of the UK’s largest internal legal costs team, Irwin Mitchell’s costs lawyers are uniquely placed to offer the same high level of service to external clients as well. Our team of 135 includes 36 qualified costs lawyers, 3 qualified solicitors, and 5 qualified ‘Fellow’ CILEx Chartered Legal Executives. We are involved with 650 contentious court hearings and 1500 claims for costs per year with values up to £5m.
We are experienced with all areas of costs and funding for legal services and can help with:
* Recovering legal costs from the losing side of a case.
* Representing you in court hearings to recover or challenge legal costs payments.
* Preparing budgets and estimates for the costs of running a legal case.
* Claiming legal costs from the Legal Services Commission.
* Advising clients and institutions about the best way to fund your legal costs.
* Drafting documents and contracts for costs services, e.g. Collective Conditional Agreements.
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:
* As well as being the point of contact for clients and therefore need to have excellent communication skills; you will undertake jobs such as setting up utilities/insurance/purchasing equipment/paying invoices/dealing with employee payroll/checking bank statements accuracy and general management of budgets.
* 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.
* 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.
* Attending appropriate training events as and when required.
* 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.
Where you’ll work
Sheffield
S3 8DT
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
* Paralegal Level 3 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.