Family Paralegal – Kingswood

We are looking for a Paralegal to join our Family team in Kingswood who will support the lawyers with their cases, as well as providing remote/direct support to family lawyers in other offices as required.

This team is an integral part of our large Family department, covering a range of family matters including private children law, domestic abuse, surrogacy and finances on divorce and separation. Our growing team consists of one Partner, two Senior Associates, one Lawyer, one Paralegal, two Legal Secretaries and a Trainee Solicitor. The role would suit someone who is looking to take the next step in their career and who may already be studying for ILEX or other legal qualifications.

The role

As a Paralegal, you will work on client cases with legal work but also provide some administrative support to the Kingswood team and the department as a whole, as required.

Paralegal work

You will:

  • Undertake certain elements of legal work under supervision including: interviewing clients, taking instructions, identifying appropriate funding including Public Funding, keeping detailed file notes of instructions received and of advice given and of any other attendances upon clients and other parties.
  • Deal wherever possible with routine client enquiries and communications.
  • Maintain file checklists and keep client matters under regular review.
  • Follow any initiatives/policies introduced by the firm.
  • Assist fee earners with research.
  • Draft applications to the court and other court documents for approval by the fee earner.
  • Trace and interview witnesses and draft statements.
  • Send reminders to or telephone non-paying clients in respect of outstanding bills in conjunction with the accounts department.
  • Check and close files.
  • Deal with letters, fax, email and telephone communications promptly.
  • Maintain an adequate and up-to-date knowledge of the law and practice.
  • Check all draft documents.
  • Notify a Partner about any complaints received in respect of work undertaken.
  • Attend court to issue claim forms and other legal documents and to assist at trial, to include siting behind Counsel where appropriate.
  • At all times to exercise high standards of client care in a professional and pleasant manner.
  • Ensure the confidentiality and security of all of firm and client documentation and information.
  • Comply with the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules and the Rules on the Professional Conduct of Solicitors.
  • Maintain clear and precise communications with other personnel of the firm.
  • Ensure good working relationships with external institutions and organisations.
  • Respond promptly and accurately to requests for information concerning case work from Partners, supervisors and fee-earners.

Administrative work

You will:

  • Assist the support staff as required.
  • Prepare trial bundles and manage documents, including photocopying, compilation of bundles of documents, delivery of documents to court and other parties and collection.
  • Take telephone messages.
  • Deal with filing and scanning of post, collection and posting of DX as required.
  • Maintain file format in accordance with the office manual to include electronic filing.
  • Draft meeting agendas and take minutes of meetings as required.
  • Complete any such additional task as may be required.

This role will also have a range of accounting, marketing and business development responsibilities/activities on behalf of the department.

About us

Barcan+Kirby is well known in the Bristol legal market both as a provider of excellent legal services for individuals and businesses, and as a progressive employer.

We are committed to developing and nurturing our people, and encouraging positive wellbeing and mental health is central to our culture. When we say we offer a work/life balance, we mean it, and we were advocates for flexible working long before the Covid-19 pandemic.

We work hard to maintain a culture of kindness and friendliness, and we like to think that we do things a bit differently from other law firms.

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate will:

  • Have completed the LPC/GDL/SQE; or
  • Have a Law degree; or
  • Hold a CILEx Professional Qualification (CPQ) Foundation Stage (or equivalent/higher); or
  • Have completed or be prepared to work towards the Apprenticeship in Law (Paralegal).

Computer literacy is essential for this role; particularly Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Teams and Zoom. In addition, you will have experience of working with legal practice management systems.

Location and working hours

  • Full-time (standard office hours are 9am – 5.15pm, Monday to Friday).
  • The role is based at our Kingswood office, but with the option to apply for hybrid working on passing probation.

Salary

  • Dependent on experience.

Closing date for applications

Applications for this role close on Tuesday 7th May with interviews taking place on Tuesday 21st May.

How to apply

Ready to apply for this role? Send us your CV and cover letter using the form below. Got a question? Email our recruitment team.