Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship (Costs)

at  Irwin Mitchell

We’re a full-service law firm, which means whatever advice is needed we can help. Giving the best possible advice is about more than knowledge and expertise. We seek to understand the people and business we work with as deeply as possible and take time to listen to what matters most to them.
Whichever team you join, working here you’ll feel a part of our friendly and inclusive environment. We’ll value you for who you are and what you bring. We support each other and push boundaries to achieve incredible things and make a real difference to our clients and communities.

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

You’ll need 5 GCSEs at grade A* to C or 9 to 4 (or equivalent), including Maths and English. You’ll also need at least 3 A Levels (or equivalent) at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies) in order to meet the minimum academic requirements needed to complete this apprenticeship.
If you have a law degree, you are unable to apply for this apprenticeship however you could apply for a Training Contract with us. Visit our Early Careers Recruitment website for more information.

WHAT QUALIFICATION WILL I GAIN?

When you finish this apprenticeship, you will be a qualified paralegal in your area of practice and you will also gain a Certificate of Higher Education (Law and Legal Practice).

We are experienced with all areas of costs and funding for legal services and can help with:

• Recovering legal costs from the losing side of a case
• Representing you in court hearings to recover or challenge legal costs payments
• Preparing budgets and estimates for the costs of running a legal case
• Claiming legal costs from the Legal Services Commission
• Advising clients and institutions about the best way to fund your legal costs
• Drafting documents and contracts for costs services, e.g. Collective Conditional Agreement

An exciting opportunity to join one of the largest national law firms in the UK. You will be supporting the Sheffield Costs Team in recovering legal costs for the firm.
As part of the UK’s largest internal legal costs team, Irwin Mitchell’s costs lawyers are uniquely placed to offer the same high level of service to external clients as well. Our team of 135 includes 36 qualified costs lawyers, 3 qualified solicitors, and 5 qualified ‘Fellow’ CILEx Chartered Legal Executives. We are involved with 650 contentious court hearings and 1500 claims for costs per year with values up to £5m.

We are experienced with all areas of costs and funding for legal services and can help with:

• Recovering legal costs from the losing side of a case
• Representing you in court hearings to recover or challenge legal costs payments
• Preparing budgets and estimates for the costs of running a legal case
• Claiming legal costs from the Legal Services Commission
• Advising clients and institutions about the best way to fund your legal costs
• Drafting documents and contracts for costs services, e.g. Collective Conditional Agreements

Paralegals support solicitors in preparing cases for trial and progressing transactions. This involves creating and organising case files, as well as contacting clients and performing legal research. This programme offers a great grounding for a career in law.

Your main responsibilities within the department will include the following:

• As well as being the point of contact for clients and therefore need to have excellent communication skills; you will undertake jobs such as setting up utilities/insurance/purchasing equipment/paying invoices/dealing with employee payroll/checking bank statements accuracy and general management of budgets.
• You will need to become familiar with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and will work with clients who may have suffered brain injury as a result of medical negligence or accidents.
• Communicating with clients, other firms of solicitors and third parties by telephone or in writing including taking client instructions and providing case updates when appropriate.
• Achieve time recording and fee income targets to ensure profitable working.
• Ensuring compliance with the firm’s policies and procedures.
• Attending appropriate training events as and when required.
• Conducting legal research as requested by members of the team.
• You may sometimes be required to complete relevant administration duties including photocopying, scanning documents, amending documentation, filing, archiving and file maintenance.