PARALEGAL – CRIMINAL DEPARTMENT – NOTTINGHAM
We are inviting applications from prospective Paralegals with a view to joining our busy Crime Department and progressing their careers in Criminal Law to Trainee Solicitor Status.
Bhatia Best is a large, multi-disciplinary practice that covers the East Midlands and beyond. Our team of highly experienced and dedicated lawyers represent clients facing the full range of criminal offences. We have experts in all areas of criminal practice and manage our cases from initial police station interview right the way through Crown Court Jury Trial, Sentence and even appeals before the Royal Courts of Justice.
We have offices in Nottingham, Derby and Mansfield and are seeking to recruit enthusiastic, talented Graduates to join our team as we expand.
We pride ourselves in providing our staff with the tools they need to advance their career and we have assisted many to obtain their Police Station Representatives Accreditation, Duty Solicitor Qualifications and Higher Rights of Audience.
As Paralegals and Trainees, you will be responsible for dealing with clients and preparing cases to go before both Magistrates and Crown Courts. We will quickly progress you through your Police Station Representatives Accreditation, after which you will be attending upon clients in custody in the police station and providing them with essential advice and assistance at a critical stage of their case. Many of our senior staff started as graduate paralegals. We will progress you through your Period of Recognised Training towards eventual admission onto the Roll of Solicitors.
We can offer a competitive basic salary plus overtime rates for out-of-hours work.
We will consider applicants who have already completed, or are about to complete, their LPC or who wish combine part-time LPC/SQE studies and take their first steps into Practice.
Job Specification:
Paralegal with a view to career advancement and engagement with Period of Recognised Training if appropriate.
Preparation of Case Files for both Magistrates and Crown Court cases.
Act as Fee Earner undertaking tasks delegated by Senior Caseworkers – undertake Legal Research, drafting of proformas and court documents as necessary.
Client facing – interaction on daily basis with clients either on telephone, video conferencing or in person.
Representation of Clients at Police Stations – including commitment to out of hours rota work.
Attendance at Court with Advocates / Counsel on Crown Court matters
Maintaining Case Files via our computerised Case Management System.
Compliance with SQM (Specialist Quality Mark) and internal transaction criteria.
Remuneration package will include basic salary plus overtime and mileage once engaged on out-of-hours rota.
Personal Specification:
Skills:
Good oral and written communication skills.
Competent drafting of all types of legal documents.
Strong analytical skills and ability to apply law to fact.
Competent negotiating skills (both written and oral).
Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel) and Windows 10.
Full UK Driving Licence desirable (out of hours travel) but not essential.
Police Station Accreditation desirable but not essential as training will be given for the right candidate.
Knowledge:
Candidate to have Bachelor’s Degree (LL.B) in Law (or equivalent) and either already have completed LPC or intend to do so on part-time basis. We will also accept applications from CILEX accredited individuals.
Understanding of Rules of Conduct and Client Confidentiality.
If you have a passion for Criminal Law, we invite you to submit a CV and covering letter to our Practice Manager, Louise.Pynegar@bhatiabest.co.uk or to our Crime Department Manager, Steven.Ramsell@bhatiabest.co.uk or contact us on 0333 016 3333 for further information.