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Paralegal Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Paralegal, or Legal assistant, performs critical legal work in an office, court or police station. They may undertake research work for a case, prepare legal documents and in some cases may provide legal advice to clients.

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Paralegal duties and responsibilities

A Paralegal is involved in a lot of critical work in a law firm or legal department. They should be responsible and efficient. Their duties include: 

  • Researching for legal cases
  • Preparing legal documents 
  • Handling confidential client or case information
  • Creating reports for Solicitors based on case specifications
  • Conducting interviews with clients and providing them with legal information
  • Monitoring changes to government guidelines or regulations and submitting reports on pertinent changes
  • Contacting courts to obtain evidence and transcripts
  • Going to court when necessary
  • Organising legal files
  • Undertaking general office work

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Paralegal Job Description Examples:

Example 1

The Firm

The firm is a successful multi-office practice, who deliver a range of services to clients based locally and further afield. Based in London, we have a national reputation and are a leading Legal 500 firm who pride ourselves on providing a high level of client care. Recognising the importance of giving back to the communities in which we are based, we support local charities and provide advice clinics.

The role

As a Paralegal, you will work for two fee-earners in the Court of Protection department of Anthony Gold based at our Streatham office. This will be a mixed role with responsibility for certain tasks in a case as well as the general administration for the case. Great starting role after completing your law degree and have already gained some paralegal experience.

Job specification

Your role will include the following, but additional tasks may be added as appropriate for the role:

· To assist in the provision of administrative and legal services for clients.

· Attend clients at hospitals, care homes and in their home.

· Provide friendly day to day contact with clients and an efficient service for their individual lifestyle requirements.

· Produce plain English letters, witness statements, court applications and other documents as required.

· Make regular payments to clients and keep accurate schedules of these payments. Also forecast forward spending and creating of budgets.

· Manage professionally and confidentially, written and telephone correspondence with clients, other solicitors and third parties

· Delegate and supervise tasks where appropriate.

· To assist where requested the provision of legal advice to clients, under supervision. Take notes in client meetings.

· Continue to develop your legal ability

Qualifications

· Degree in Law and previous experience of working as a Paralegal would be beneficial.

Person Specification

· Able to work to tight deadlines

· Good Microsoft skills particularly word and excel.

· Good customer focus

· Flexible and proactive approach with 'can do' attitude

· Organised and able to prioritise

· Excellent oral and written communication skills

· Excellent interpersonal skills

· Ability to work with figures

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 24 months

Salary: £24,000.00-£27,000.00 per year

Additional pay:
  • Bonus scheme
    Benefits:
  • Company pension
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Gym membership
  • Life insurance
  • Private medical insurance
  • Sick pay
  • Store discounts
    Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday

    Experience:
  • Paralegal: 1 year (preferred)

    Work authorisation:
  • United Kingdom (required)

    Application deadline: ID: JOW2206COPSTR

    • Example 2

    Commercial Property Paralegal

    Location: Southampton

    Salary D.O.E

    With a long established and well-earned reputation for excellence, our clients offer a full range of high-class legal services for both businesses and individuals. They are committed to the very best standards of practice and are very proud of their reputation.

    They now require an enthusiastic Property Secretary to provide support to the commercial partner.

    Requirements and Responsibilities:

  • Ideally you will have experience in commercial property but residential would be acceptable.
  • A good working knowledge of freehold and leasehold property would be an advantage.
  • Accurate typing with a good sense of layout and presentation of letters and documentation.
  • A good telephone manner and the ability to deal with clients.

    IF YOU ARE Interested IN THIS Position Please Contact KIM LIND AT Browns Recruitment AS Directed

    Job Type: Full-time

    Salary: £22,000.00-£26,000.00 per year

    Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday

    Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Southampton: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work Location: One location

    • Example 3

    Based in Leamington Spa 3 days per week

    Travelling to Stratford upon Avon 2 days per week

    up to £25,000 per annum

    We are working in partnership with a Lexcel accredited Warwickshire law firm who are looking to attract an experienced Wills and Probate Paralegal/ Wills and Probate Executive to join their busy Private Client Department. The role will be based in Leamington Spa, with travel to the office in Stratford upon Avon 2 days per week.

    This role would suit someone with at least one years’ experience working as a Paralegal/Wills and Probate Executive supporting a fee earner in a busy Private Client Department, and will appeal to someone who is looking to run their own caseload and qualify in the longer term.

    The Role will Involve:

  • Assisting Fee Earners with the preparation of Wills and Lasting Power of Attorneys
  • Dealing with Administration of Estates
  • Handling a caseload of matters, commensurate with experience
  • Further developing your own caseload following training
  • Maintaining files and ensuring efficient case management of Private Client matters
  • Drafting legal documentation including correspondence, briefs, court documentation, full attendance notes and statements of evidence
  • Ensuring efficient file management
  • Liaising with clients and keeping them updated
  • Attending to clients in the office or in their homes

    Suitable candidates will have:

  • A minimum of one years’ experience working as a Private Client / Wills and Probate Paralegal or a Private Client/Wills and Probate Executive
  • Experience of supporting fee earners in a busy Private Client Department
  • Good IT skills including MS Office and legal case management systems
  • The ability to deal with sensitive situations in a calm, professional, confidential manner
  • A sound understanding of the work of a Private Client Department
  • A desire to progress your career and handle your own caseload

    This is permanent, full-time job offered with a Range of Benefits including:

  • Generous annual leave entitlement with an additional 2 days’ paid leave between Christmas and New Year
  • Company sick pay
  • Pension scheme
  • Discounted legal fees
  • Private healthcare
  • Regular salary reviews
  • A full induction programme
  • A clear career development path, with regular performance reviews and excellent ongoing support and training.
  • Support and funding for recognised qualifications for eligible employees

    Note: Salary stated is given as a guideline in line with market rate and will be dependent on experience and qualifications. The information above is correct to the best of our knowledge.

    For more information,please contact Katie at Talentwise Solutions

    About Talentwise

    Talentwise Solutions is a family-run, boutique recruitment agency specialising in legal professional and business support jobs throughout Coventry and Warwickshire, Birmingham and the Midlands.

    We offer a tailored service, to find the right role and the right cultural fit for our candidates, and rest assured we will neverforward your CV to any firm without first gaining your consent.

    About Your Consultant

    Katie is the Lead Recruitment Associate at Talentwise Solutions, where she specialises within the conveyancing and private client areas of law. Katie has over six years’ experience recruiting within the legal sector and thrives on finding candidates their perfect role. Whatever it is that is important to you in a new role, Katie is here to listen, guide and support you through the entire journey with a personalised service, friendly approach and advice as a market expert. Katie will leave no stone unturned in her search to turn your wish-list into a reality!

    Know anyone who might be interested? We offer generous bonuses up to £500 for successful referrals. Conditions apply - contact us or view our website for details.

    Job Type: Full-time

    Salary: £23,000.00-£25,000.00 per year

    Benefits:
  • Additional leave
  • Company events
  • Company pension
  • Employee discount
  • Private medical insurance
  • Sick pay
    Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday

    Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Leamington Spa: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

    Experience:
  • Paralegal: 1 year (preferred)
  • Private Client (Wills and Probate): 1 year Location: One location

    • What does a Paralegal do? 

    A Paralegal may be hired to perform legal work to assist a Barrister in a law firm or a company’s legal department. Such legal work may include doing research for a case, preparing legal documents and conducting interviews. A Paralegal may also be organising legal files and doing general office duties. Since a Paralegal may also provide legal consultation, they are expected to have good communication skills and maintain good relations with clients. They also help the business maintain its clientele and generate regular income.

    Paralegal skills and qualifications

    A successful Paralegal candidate should possess various prerequisite skills and qualifications needed to fulfill their duties these include:

    • Good verbal and written communication skills
    • Proficiency in using legal database software
    • Strong research skills
    • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
    • Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion
    • Organisation skills

    Paralegal experience requirements

    The ideal Paralegal candidate should have at least three years of work experience. This may include previous work with a law firm, government office or another type of institution. It’s also important for the candidate to to demonstrate how their previous experience is relevant to the position they are applying for. A Paralegal may also be able to gain appropriate experience through an apprenticeship.

    Paralegal education and training requirements

    Paralegals are required to have a formal education and training before being doing professional work. An entry-level Paralegal must secure a Level 2 Diploma in Legal Studies, a Level 3 Legal Secretaries Diploma and a CILEx Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice. The candidate may also present a higher National Diploma, Foundation Degree or Law Degree. In addition, Paralegal candidates must also have at least two General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSEs) at grades 9 to 3 for a level 2 course and at least four GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 for a level 3 course, or a Higher National Certificate (HNC ) Law.

    Paralegal salary expectations

    According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Paralegal is £23,041 per year. However, the starting salary for a Paralegal may vary depending on the candidate’s work experience, the location of the job and the company.

    Job description samples for similar positions

    If a Paralegal is not quite who you want to recruit for your business, you may also consider other related job positions. These would include: 

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    Paralegal job description FAQs

    What qualities make a good Paralegal?

    One of the most important qualities that a Paralegal candidate must have is excellent attention to detail. When researching for a case, they should be able to identify crucial, accurate details that the legal team requires. They should also possess good multitasking skills, as they are required to work on several cases at that the same time. Good computer skills, would also benefit a Paralegal since much of the research may be conducted online.

    What should you look for in a Paralegal CV?

    For this position, it’s important to pay attention to the candidate’s educational and training accomplishments. They must possess the diploma and certification that you require for the job. Their CV must also detail the relevant work experience. This may include a previous job with another firm or a completed apprenticeship.

    What makes a good Paralegal job description?

    A good Paralegal job description provides all the necessary information about the position. This includes a complete list of the job requirements, duties and responsibilities, giving the candidate an overview of what can be expected on the job.

    How can you make your Paralegal job description stand out?

    Paralegal job candidates may be more inclined to apply to a job listing with a clearly detailed job description. This allows a candidate to get a better idea of the scope of work to be expected. Its also helpful to provide an overview of the compensation package for the position. This can include any possible work bonus and other company incentives.

    Job Description Examples

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