Paralegal

Reports to:

The Immigration and Crime Paralegal will report to the designated line manager.

Department: Belfast

Job Overview: The Immigration and Crime Paralegal will be responsible for dealing with delegated work within their own areas of competence and achieving performance targets as set by the practice. The Immigration and Crime Paralegal will provide expert legal support and advice to clients. Also, he/she will be responsible for offering support to other Head of Departments and/or the CEO. He/she will be responsible for dealing their own caseload (including admin duties) and dealing with clients. Furthermore, he/she will be expected to train and mentor more junior staff members (if needed) and positively promote quality of service to clients, raising the quality level and creating new business for the Practice whenever possible.

Purpose/Main Objectives: To support all Practice decisions, carrying out any actions required. To provide any support required by Head of Departments and/or the CEO. To act on behalf of Head of Departments as required. To be alert when acting for clients of other legal services they may require and to refer clients to other departments within the firm when it is appropriate.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Deal with delegated cases as required, reporting progress to the Head of Department and/or the Directors;
• Prepare documentation, potential hearings; prepare all aspects of cases, issue proceedings, this list is not exhaustive;
• Liaise with clients and other professionals such as lawyers or Judges or other third parties in a prompt and professional manner; or attend court with the client in complex disputes;
• Always act in a trustworthy and confidential manner; have integrity and sensitivity;
• Ensure quality of service levels are to standard;
• Follow internal methods, policies, and procedures as set by the Office Manual;
• Remain informed of changes in any area of specialisation, such that service quality is always maintained. Carry out file reviews as appropriate;
• Dealing with correspondence, adhere to accurate and comprehensive file management and maintenance practices of caseload according to company policy and procedures;
• Maintenance of diaries & time recording;
• Work as part of a team and give concise and reasonable instructions;
• Conduct legal research and gathering of relevant information on a This includes researching the facts of the case as well as identifying the appropriate law, judicial decisions, and legal articles relevant to the case;
• Draft legal This can include drafting correspondence and pleadings, such as complaints, notices, orders, and legal briefs with various parties;
• Taking statements from witnesses and other parties; interviewing clients and passing on relevant information;
• Carry out other types of administrative duties such as billing, invoicing, time recording, compile litigation bundles, dealing with correspondence, collect and organise evidence
• Network with clients and build valuable relationships in a way that enhances the company’s reputation and cultivate new business opportunities
• Assist your line manager or solicitor by taking notes, preparing files, and reading court transcripts

• Use the company’s case management system
• Any other hoc duties as directed by the line manager or the CEO

Relationships:

• Internal: Supportive to the CEO, line manager and colleagues
• External: Promoting the Practice wherever possible through PR and quality of service

Skills & Qualifications:

Essential:

• Common sense
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise, and understand the importance of deadlines
• Highly organised; able to be productive, flexible and simultaneously manage multiple cases and priorities in a performance driven environment
• Superior research skills and data maintenance skills
• Strong client relationship skills; the ability to establish positive, cooperative and professional relationship, both internal and external
• Be highly trustworthy, discreet, and use good judgement
• Able to work well under pressure, without sacrificing a high attention to detail
• Excellent oral and written communication are essential
• Good commercial awareness and analytical skills
• Self-starter and the ability to work autonomously; Proactive and eager to learn
• Self-awareness and a commitment to using feedback to learn and develop as a professional
• Ability to read, digest and process vast amounts of information into data that can be used in a legal case
• Computer Literacy

Desirable:

• Law Degree

• Previous paralegal experience
• Immigration and Criminal law experience/knowledge
• Civil/commercial litigation experience