Paralegal Level 3 Apprentice with Sheffield City Council

Duration of Apprenticeship:

 24 months

Job Description:

Under supervision and as appropriate undertake legal casework specific to the teams’ work areas.

Study for and achieve a Level 3 qualification as an apprentice in Legal Services.

• To become able to attend on counsel or solicitors at court or on appeals.
• To become able to liaise with the court, clients and witnesses in the issue of proceedings and the arrangements for hearings.
• Under supervision and as appropriate undertake legal file management specific to the teams’ work areas.
• To become able to operate legal or other case management systems as required.
• To become able to provide a reception and telephone answering service for team members when absent from the office.
• To become able to provide clerical and administrative assistance in the team as required.
• To become able to support colleagues and team members to achieve best practice as required.
• Work together with colleagues and legal services management in the development of efficient and effective customer relationships.
• Understand and maintain confidentially at all times.
• Assist in developing the quality of legal services provided.

Undertake such training programmes as may be required as part of the role including attendance on lectures, seminars or college or distance learning, completing any work required as part of these programmes.

• Take part in other development activities, such as study groups, learning sets, supervision and mentoring arrangements, as may be required.
• Tasks specific to individual teams: Social Care
• Provide support to colleagues, under supervision and as appropriate, in the preparation, issue and conduct of child and adult protection litigation.
• Under supervision and as appropriate request witness statements, file and serve evidence and prepare and maintain court bundles.
• Liaise with court, clients and witnesses in the issue of proceedings and the listing of hearings.

Civil Litigation

• Provide support to colleagues, under supervision and as appropriate, in the preparation, issue and conduct of housing, employment, contract, debt, negligence and other civil litigation cases.
• Under supervision and as appropriate request witness statements, file and serve evidence and prepare and maintain court bundles.
• Liaise with court, clients and witnesses in the issue of proceedings and the listing of hearings.

Governance

• Provide support to colleagues, under supervision and as appropriate, in legal research relating to the governance and management of the council.
• Provide support to colleagues, under supervision and as appropriate, in the conduct of education and licencing appeals.
• Provide support to colleagues, under supervision and as appropriate, in the preparation, issue and conduct of criminal prosecutions.
• Under supervision and as appropriate request witness statements, file and serve evidence and prepare and maintain court bundles.
• Liaise with court, clients and witnesses in the issue of proceedings and the listing of hearings.

Commercial

• Provide support to colleagues, under supervision and as appropriate, in legal research relating to the commercial and contractual arrangements of the council.
• Provide support to colleagues, under supervision and as appropriate, in drafting legal agreements and documents. 3. Provide support to colleagues, under supervision and as appropriate, in preparing for and attending on meetings and negotiations with legal services staff, council officers and external parties

Property and Local Land Charges

• Provide support to colleagues, under supervision and as appropriate, in drafting notices, legal documents, correspondence, applications and reports.
• Provide support to colleagues, under supervision and as appropriate, in arranging for the sealing of legal documents.
• Provide support to colleagues, under supervision and as appropriate, in processing the payment and receipt of completion monies, deposits and invoices.

To undertake any other duties in agreement with the post holder and manager. Significant changes that may affect the role and responsibilities of the post or the job description would be managed through an agreed process in consultation with the Trade Unions.

This list is not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive. To undertake all duties and responsibilities in line with current Council Policies and Procedures, including those relating to health and safety; equalities, diversity and inclusion; safeguarding procedures; financial instructions; procurement and commissioning. Location: The job will be based in Sheffield. The post holder must be willing to work at any location within the City and by agreement outside the City, to meet the requirements of the role. Work related circumstances Working outside the normal working day may be required from time to time.

Training Provided:

As a Paralegal Apprentice with BPP, you will complete the Paralegal Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship. Additional learning within the apprenticeship will enable you to be awarded a Level 4 Certificate of Higher Education in Legal Services which can afford you exemptions from the first two years of the Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship.

Your apprenticeship shall be delivered by a blend of online and face-to-face training from and on-the-job learning.

Qualification Requirements:

3 “A” levels at grade C or above (equivalent academic qualifications considered)

5 GCSE’s at grade C or above to include Maths and English or equivalent

Personal Qualities & Skills:

Interest in and desire to succeed within the legal profession

Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships both with a range of individuals and as a team member

Ability to understand and interpret complex information

Ability to analyse problems and issues and then to work flexibly and creatively within the service to achieve the required objectives.

Ability to complete required course of legal training as part of the Level 3 apprenticeship

Competent I.T user and comfortable with new technology and office based systems

Ability to plan work and undertake it in a logical and analytical way

Good standard of literacy and numeracy and an ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing.

Future Prospects:

Destination into an available grade 6 post on successful completion of apprenticeship and satisfactory attendance, timekeeping and attitude.