Paralegal (women only)

About the role

We're looking for a paralegal to support the litigation team with their casework to ensure cases are well managed with excellent levels of client care. In addition, we require someone to provide support to the enquiries team by giving signposting advice to first-tier (members of the public) enquirers. Key responsibilities include:

• undertaking legal and other research;
• taking statements from clients and witnesses;
• drafting client care letters, file closure letters and applications to courts;
• assisting with the preparation of public funding applications and liaising with the legal aid agency;
• reviewing and organising evidence, disclosure and other material;
• preparing bundles for counsel, experts and trial;
• assisting with billing and preparation of costs schedules;
• administrative support including maintaining orderly case files, time recording and ensuring compliance with SQM requirements;
• other related occasional duties such as attending court to issue proceedings and file documentation, and taking notes at hearings or meetings as needed; and
• assisting the organisation with other legal administrative duties as assigned.

Person specification

It's essential that candidates have:

• completed an LLB/GDL and LPC/BVC or have equivalent legal experience;
• paralegal experience and/or practical experience of assisting survivors through the criminal justice system;
• IT skills including reasonable typing speed;
• numeracy and ability to keep abreast of costs;
• literacy – ability to draft clear and comprehensive letters, statements and other documents;
• legal and other research skills;
• ability to understand and apply civil procedure rules, civil legal aid, conditional fee agreements and the principles of costs in civil claims;
• excellent attention to detail, well organised and good document management skills;
• ability to manage and prioritise work load and manage diaries;
• ability to work effectively as part of a small team;
• ability to show respect and sensitivity towards clients;
• understanding of, and commitment to, the aims of the Centre for Women’s Justice;
• commitment to challenging injustice and assisting those subject to state neglect and abuse; and
• commitment to equal opportunities and understanding of the experience of disadvantaged groups.

About Centre for Women’s Justice

Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) is a thriving and rapidly expanding legal charity, which undertakes a wide range of highly publicised strategic legal challenges and conducts collaborative projects through partnerships with women’s sector organisations.

Our mission: to hold the State to account to challenge discrimination in the justice system around male violence against women and girls. Our areas of work include:

• strategic litigation – we bring legal challenges that have the potential to effect broader changes in society;
• training and empowering frontline women’s sector organisations – we improve confidence and legal knowledge of those working directly with survivors of male violence;
• facilitating access to justice – working collaboratively with women’s sector organisations and lawyers with expertise in violence against women;
• monitoring and challenging trends in policy, practice and men’s use of the law as it impacts on violence against women and girls; and
• raising awareness – we have fast become the go-to organisation for advice and media comment on legal issues around male violence. 

Values

Our organisation believes that:

• all women have an equal right to access justice and to be safe;
• male violence is not inevitable: it can be eradicated;
• women resist male violence but are blamed for it;
• all women and girls can be subject to male violence regardless of their socioeconomic and cultural position; and 
• male violence may take different forms in different contexts, so opportunities for resistance may differ.

One of our key principles is to work with the client not for the client, by listening and responding to each woman’s individual experience. It's also important for employees to work collaboratively with frontline organisations and campaigns and commit to anti-oppression politics.

Key employee benefits 

Employees will receive the following benefits:

• Annual leave: 25 days, bank holidays, three additional days during Christmas period. You will also accrue one additional day (pro rata) for each completed holiday year of service up to a maximum of five additional days.
• Enhanced maternity pay: CWJ offers an enhanced maternity package for employees who have at least 24 months continuous service by the expected week of childbirth.
• Eligible employees will be entitled to 18 weeks full pay (inclusive of SMP) followed by 21 weeks half-pay (inclusive of SMP).

How to apply

Please complete the application form and upload your CV here. The deadline is midday on 15/01/2024. Late applications will not be considered. If you have any questions, please contact Nic ([email protected]). No agencies please.