Paralegal – Community Care and Public Law

TV Edwards LLP are looking for a paralegal to support our Community Care and Public Law solicitors. During your time with us there will also be opportunities to work on community care, Court of Protection, housing and general public law cases. Most of our work is funded by legal aid but we also fund cases by way of private fees.

Role Overview

As a paralegal in our social welfare team, you will work for clients with a range of needs, some of whom will be in very vulnerable situations. This could include being deprived of their liberty, accommodated in care homes they do not want to live in and suffering from a lack of community care services. In Court of Protection work you will often act for professional litigation friends, such as the Official Solicitor. Your support will be crucial in ensuring our clients can have full access to justice.

Successful candidates will be based in our Whitechapel office though occasional travel to our Clapham Junction office may be required.

We offer excellent training opportunities and only recruit trainee solicitors from internal candidates. We support lawyers who wish to qualify via the SQE route.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing a high level of support to solicitors undertaking Community Care, Court of Protection (welfare) and public law casework.
• Communicating clearly and regularly with clients to take instructions and provide advice under supervision from solicitors.
• Preparing bundles for use in court hearings (and for other reasons).
• Drafting and managing legal aid applications and correspondence with the Legal Aid Agency.
• Preparing witness statements and other court documents.
• Attending court hearings, with barristers where appropriate.
• Carrying out allocated administrative tasks such as liaising with barristers and experts for invoices, arranging appointments and managing entries in solicitors’ diaries, copying and scanning case documents.
• Staffing the new client rota under the management of a senior member of the team. This includes taking details of potential new cases from individuals and referring agencies via telephone and email correspondence.
• Billing tasks and liaising with the in-house billing team as delegated by the solicitor.
• Attending monthly department meetings.

Skills/Knowledge Requirements

• Excellent written, oral and telephone communication skills to be able to work effectively with the firm’s client group.
• Ability to prioritise and work efficiently under pressure.
• Good team-working skills.
• Problem-solving ability, with good analytical skills.
• Excellent IT skills (including word processing and use of Excel spreadsheets).
• Commitment to our client group and access to justice.
• Law degree (or equivalent).
• Although welcome, it is not necessary for you to have prior experience of Community Care, Court of Protection or Public law work.

Salary and Application Submission

Salary: £27,000 per annum

Anticipated start: April 2025

Deadline for applications is 9am Monday 3 March 2025.

Applications must be on the firm’s application form. We will not consider any applications which are not on the application form.

The application form together with completed equality monitoring questionnaire must be returned to Lisa Walton, Head of HR, by email to HRTeam@tvedwards.com

For more information about the firm and department please download the information pack here.

Documentary proof of your right to work in the UK will be required as part of the recruitment process.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

TV Edwards Solicitors LLP is an equal opportunities employer, committed to increasing diversity in our firm and our wider profession.

While we thank you for the interest you have shown in TV Edwards, due to the anticipated response, please be aware that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.