Paralegal

We are currently recruiting for a Full-Time Paralegal to work for Devon & Cornwall Police Force at their headquarters in Middlemoor Exeter.

This is a temporary full-time position working 37 hours a week Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm with an element of Hybrid working to be discussed at interview.

PLEASE NOTE DUE TO POLICE VETTING CRITERIA YOU MUST HAVE BEEN RESIDING WITHIN THE UK CONTINUOUSLY FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.

The principal responsibility of the Paralegal is to investigate and handle a caseload of files against, and on behalf of, the Chief Constables and Offices of the Police and Crime Commissioners of both Forces, and to provide general advice as required by the organisations. Paralegals report to Legal Advisors within the Legal Services Department between Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police. The role holders support Legal Advisors and Senior Legal Advisors in other contentious matters.

Paralegals operate within the three teams that exist within the Legal Services Department; Litigation, Operations and Vulnerability. The skillset required within each area is commensurate with the level of work across the entire remit of the role. Each Paralegal will primarily work within one of the three teams but will be required to undertake work in the other areas when necessary, according to business need.

The role holder will investigate and generally handle a caseload of operational matters, including disclosure matters in the Family Court and operational applications such as Football Banning Orders and Dangerous Dog applications. The role holder will also support Legal Advisors and Senior Legal Advisors with handling internal misconduct hearings, providing commercial advice and in other operational matters such as Proceeds of Crime Act applications, Firearms Licensing and Liquor Licensing, to include attending hearings to assist Legal Advisors or Counsel.

The role of Paralegal will support the Forces by undertaking the following:

• Liaise with, advise and influence the decision making of staff at all levels of the Forces and OPCC, including the Chief Constable, members of the Executive, Police and Crime Commissioner and the Head of Alliance Audit, Insurance and Strategic Risk Management.
• Research and prepare legally sound advice on a wide range of different legal issues, as required by the organisation and within stipulated timeframes, including as part of the 'duty advice scheme' and within ongoing policing operations, overseen by a Legal Advisor
• Draft legally sound documentation, including court applications, written advice memos on a range of legal subjects and designated authorities, overseen by a Legal Advisor.
• Assist Legal Advisors and Senior Legal Advisors in handling legal proceedings in Courts and Tribunals. This includes investigating claims, collating documents, conducting research, instructing Counsel, taking statements, assisting with the preparation of Court papers including compiling bundles, analysing legal costs, drafting points of dispute and pursuing debt recovery.
• Make non-contentious applications at a range of different courts and attend court on straight forward matters, including the Magistrates' Courts, County Courts and Coroner's Courts.
• Research and interrogate Force systems such as Centurion, Niche and Unifi to ascertain information and collate evidence.
• Assist in the preparation and delivery of training on relevant legal issues within the Forces.
• Consider appropriate safeguarding referrals in respect of individuals which the role holder comes into contact with.
• Negotiate and formalise terms of settlement in contentious matters/pre-action civil matters.
• Redact sensitive information from bundles and disclosure.
• Ensure that all workflows and departmental spreadsheets are kept up to date.
• Request the payment of invoices for legal costs, damages, and court fees.
• Provide training and ongoing support through the department buddy system when new Paralegals join.
• In conjunction with the Legal Advisors, prepare and present to the wider internal team monthly legal updates.
• Work as part of a team to deliver departmental projects.
• Draft articles for the Legal Services newsletter and blog.

This list of duties is not restrictive or exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to carry out duties from time to time that are either commensurate with/or lower than the grade of the post. In some posts this might include the ad-hoc provision of guidance and informal training of new colleagues

• Working with Disturbing Evidence of Disturbing Circumstances
• Working with Vulnerable People
• Working in an Environment with potential for conflict, violence (verbal/physical) etc.

To assist in ensuring applicants would be able to undertake these functions of the role, a medical assessment via a questionnaire will be undertaken and may subsequently require a consultation with the Occupational Health Support Unit.

Role-Specific Training and CPD to be undertaken.

• In-house training - UNIFI, Niche
• Iken Case Management Training

Experience

• Experience and knowledge of relevant legal principles, legislation, case law, and legal systems.
• Experience and knowledge of litigation and contested matters generally.
• Demonstrable ability to handle a large and diverse workload.
• Demonstrable ability to prioritise workload in terms of urgency and importance.
• Demonstrable ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Strong communication skills, written and verbal, with the ability to liaise and influence at all levels, internal and external.
• Research and investigative skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to think critically and adapt to changing circumstances in a fast-paced environment.

IT literate with the ability to navigate specialist databases and systems.

Adecco acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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