KEY SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Solicitor with 2 - 5 years PQE or Legal Executive with 3+ years PQE in Civil Liberties work
• Supervisory experience is essential
• Experience working on publicly funded cases (CW1/Legal Help and Licensed/Certificated Work) and working with CCMS
• Ability to demonstrate experience in all areas of Claimant litigation
• Strong theoretical knowledge and demonstrable practical experience of the Civil Procedure Rules
• Strong research, analytical and critical thinking skills
• Knowledge and practical experience of applications for judicial review
• Effective organisational ability, able to work to tight deadlines under pressure
• Must meet LAA supervisor criteria for Legal Aid contract purposes

THE ROLE:

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is seeking a talented paralegal to join its Claims Against Public Authorities and Inquest department
The successful candidate must have supervisory experience and will conduct supervised casework and also support other lawyers in the department. You will be involved with case preparation generally and, as part of that role, will be expected to conduct legal research, take proof of evidence from clients and witnesses, attend both court hearings and conferences. In addition, the successful candidate will also assist with an outsourcing project.
It is imperative that you can demonstrate an unwavering commitment to protecting individual citizens’ civil liberties and a preparedness to fight hard to enforce their human rights. Previous experience in this specific area is highly desirable but all applications will be considered.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE

• Report directly to Department Director
• Professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills and a sensitive and sympathetic understanding of client needs
• Responsible for mixed caseload of inquest work, complaints against public authorities and pre and post-issue claimant litigation.
• Ability to manage appropriate caseload types and supervision of a small team.
• Making CCMS applications to the LAA.
• Attending clients, taking instructions and briefing and liaising with counsel, negotiating with defendants, the IOPC and other legal professionals.
• Dealing with correspondence.
• Identifying the funding options and advising on the most appropriate one.
• To run the caseload of varied, challenging and interesting work.
• Ability to help in marketing the department and the firm through social media.
• Assisting in expansion of the department.