Paralegal - 25909

We are looking for an experienced Paralegal to provide highly effective and professional legal support to lawyers across our teams. This is a great opportunity to make a real difference in how the delivery of our work is supported and there is also the potential to further your legal career by undertaking an appropriate Apprenticeship as part of your role.

You will be a self-starter with excellent attention to detail, working closely with our lawyers to provide high level casework support for employment tribunals, criminal and/or civil proceedings, challenges, transactional and other matters.

Examples of tasks will include:
- Handling disclosure and discovery of documents
- Preparing electronic and hard copy bundles of documents
- Legal research
- Making final arrangements for hearing
- Interviewing witnesses and preparing witness statements
- Accompanying lawyers to meetings, taking notes, preparing notes, and completing agreed actions
- Completing written legal updates
- Case administration
- Attending Tribunal and Court to liaise with Counsel and take notes
- Undertaking general office work.

You will also provide support to senior legal staff on more complex/sensitive matters to develop capability and expertise.

The role will be part of our Employment and Information Law team which sits in the wider Enforcement and Prosecution team in Legal and Audit Services and is part of the Chief Operating Officer Directorate. As a Paralegal you will work closely with members of your immediate team but also liaise directly with other lawyers, courts, internal clients, and external customers as required. The team are based in Bristol, Birmingham, and Leeds.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Awareness of legal processes and the ability to learn and develop understanding of relevant legislation and criminal/civil evidential and/or transactional procedures and processes.
• The ability to advise officers and external stakeholders (under supervision) upon the direction and conduct of casework and to complete cases in accordance with the requirements of Criminal/Civil proceedings.
• A willingness to assimilate new areas of work with appropriate support.
• Experience in dealing with confidential matters.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of clients’ needs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Good attention to detail is needed to carefully analyse files and data
• Legal research skills

There will be a need to be based in Bristol, although, depending on the circumstances, we will consider a different location with regular travel to Bristol as and when required.

For further information or to have a discussion about the role, please contact John Morgan (Senior Lawyer) (johnr.morgan@environment-agency.gov.uk).

Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please refer to the candidate pack for how best to draw out your skills and experience in your response.

Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please refer to the candidate pack for how best to draw out your skills and experience in your response.

Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please refer to the candidate pack for how best to draw out your skills and experience in your response.