We are seeking a motivated, hard-working graduate to join our Childcare Department as a paralegal. We are looking for candidates who are able to demonstrate their ambition, drive and enthusiasm to develop their career with Hutchinson Thomas. Completion of the Legal Practice Course would be an advantage.
Reporting to: One of the partners in the department
Tasks:
- Undertaking day to day client meetings, taking detailed instructions
- Assisting with complex cases and billing
- Opening and maintaining accurate and neat files in accordance with office procedures
- Applying public funding (legal aid) eligibility tests and completing public funding (legal aid) applications where appropriate
- Drafting court documents (including applications, statements, etc.)
- Attend court hearings with Counsel when required
- Being responsible for case management and compliance with deadlines
- Ensuring that all time spent is recorded
- Ensuring that all caseloads are progressed, closed and billed as appropriate
- Undertaking training and development
- Undertaking such other tasks as required by the partners
- Inputting information on the CCMS system
Responsibilities:
- To maintain client confidentiality and trustworthiness at all times
- To show sympathy and empathy to clients
- Recognising your own limitations and being aware of when necessary for you to seek help or further advice
- To work under pressure as part of a small team whilst taking responsibility for your own work
- To be reliable, punctual and hard working
- To show willing to give and receive help to and from other colleagues as necessary
Person specification:
- You will be smart and well-presented
- You will have good social skills with a clear communication style both orally (in person and on the telephone) and in writing
- You will have the ability to analyse a set of facts and pick out the pertinent information upon which to base advice
- You will have a legal qualification that includes some study of childcare or Family law (e.g. Law degree, LPC, BPTC, Paralegal qualification)
- You will ideally have some experience in dealing with members of the public face to face
- You will be IT literate and after training, be able to operate a case management system
- You will be able to word process letters and file notes succinctly
Base: Neath office
Salary: Between £9.42 to £9.70 per hour according to qualification and experience.
Please send your CV to our office administrator, Julie Davies, at Julie.davies@hutchinsonthomas.com