Paralegals – Social Welfare

About Us

TV Edwards LLP has been serving London for over 95 years and our story continues to evolve. Founded in the East End in 1929, we’re proud of our legacy, but even prouder of what we’re building today: a diverse, dynamic law firm that’s consistently recognised by Chambers UK, The Legal 500, and The Times Top 250 Law Firms – where we were named among the top 20 firms in the UK for family law.

Our culture is what sets us apart. We’re proud to have been named one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work for the second year running – a reflection of our supportive environment, commitment to wellbeing, and ongoing investment in our people.

With offices in Whitechapel and Clapham Junction, we serve both private and legal aid clients across a wide range of legal services. We prioritise supervision, training, and work-life balance because we believe excellent client service starts with happy, well-supported teams.

The Opportunity: Social Welfare Paralegals

We are looking for enthusiastic, committed paralegals to support our Social Welfare solicitors. During your time with us there will be opportunities to work on a range of Housing, Community Care, Court of Protection and Public Law cases. Most of our work is funded by legal aid but we also fund cases by way of private fees and Conditional Fee Agreements.

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. In housing cases you will be supporting solicitors who act to stop clients being evicted, to have poor housing conditions remedied, and to ensure local authorities comply with their homelessness duties. Your support will be crucial in ensuring our clients can have full access to justice.

Successful candidates will be based either in our Whitechapel office or Clapham Junction office.

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 Housing, 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.

What We’re Looking For:

Essential:

• 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.
• A strong academic background, having obtained a law degree (LLB or PGDL) or passed the SQE1.

Desirable:

• Work experience in a legal, advisory or other relevant organisation, including experience of Housing, Community Care, Court of Protection or Public law cases and legal aid work.
• An understanding of financial and commercial targets and the importance of meeting them
• Experience in a client-facing role or with client care responsibilities

Why Join TV Edwards?

• Be part of a firm recognised for excellence and integrity
• Thrive in a nurturing, inclusive workplace
• Receive ongoing training and supervision
• Enjoy family-friendly policies and a strong emphasis on work-life balance
• Get involved in high-quality, high-profile legal work

Salary

Your starting salary will be £27,000 per annum.

Ready to apply?

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 (see below).

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.