Paralegal

Job Title: Paralegal

Location of work: Hybrid role (Town Hall/working from home)

Salary: £33,408 - £36,540 pro-rata per annum, dependant on experience

Basis: Permanent contract, Part time (2 or 3 days per week) / Job share

 

About the Role

Are you looking to join a committed and ambitious Legal Service? Reigate and Banstead Borough Council are looking for a paralegal to join and support their legal team on a part-time basis in enforcement and contentious matters.

The successful candidate will assist the legal team with drafting witness statements, conducting legal research, providing high quality legal advice to clients within the Council in contentious matters, enforcement notices amongst others and provide general legal support to the team.

Key responsibilities:

To deliver clear and concise advice to officers, members and clients on all matters relating to enforcement and contentious legal work.

To notify the Head of Legal Services and Legal Services Manager of any instructions or events that would result in a breach by the Council or an individual of any legislation.

To undertake a range of legal work including (but not limited to):

• Drafting enforcement notices
• Debt recovery matters
• County and Magistrates court proceedings

The focus being civil litigation (particularly debt claims), low level prosecutions as well as some general litigation. Strong advocacy skills and attention to detail are a plus.

To ensure all deadlines and client expectations are met in line with the department’s objectives.

Keep tidy and accurate files both in hard copy and electronically.

Undertaking such duties such as changes in information systems and new technology and providing legal updates to the lawyers in the team as may reasonably be required.

Archiving files as and when may be necessary.

To provide support to other fee earners across the Legal team where required and to share knowledge as and when required.

About the Person

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to high standards of customer care.
• An ability to adopt a methodical and meticulous approach.
• An ability to prioritise work effectively and meet deadlines.
• Strong IT skills including a working knowledge of Excel, Word, Outlook and Microsoft Teams.
• Proven recent experience of working in / for a Local Authority.
• Experience of liaising with statutory, non-statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Experience of using a case management system.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Law or other equivalent degree and / or Membership of CiLeX (level 6)

Staff Benefits

In exchange for your expertise, experience, and enthusiasm, we will offer support in continuing your personal and career development, in addition to providing a wide range of employment linked benefits.

We provide you with competitive annual leave and contribute 15% towards the LGPS pension scheme. You will also have access to a range of discounts including local and high street stores, and salary sacrifice schemes including a cycle lease scheme, and ‘Better’ leisure centre membership.

Additional Information

For an informal discussion about the role, please make initial contact via email: legalteam@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, supporting the guaranteed interview scheme for disabled and ex-armed forces candidates, who meet the essential criteria for the role.

Closing date: Sunday 1 December 2024 at 23:59

Interview date: W/C Monday 9 December 2024

Values and Behaviours

Our great working environment and the values and behaviours of every individual and team in the Council, help to evolve the culture of our organisation to become more commercial, innovative and embracing of change. Successful applicants to our career opportunities will be able to demonstrate they share the values and behaviours we seek in our organisation.

See "Who we are" as a council, to find out more about us: Who we are | Working here | Reigate and Banstead