Criminal Law Paralegal

Eventus Recruitment Group; Dewsbury; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £30,000-£35,000 DOE

25 days annual leave

Workplace pension scheme

Paid training and development

Professional memberships/accreditation

Travel expense reimbursement

Free parking

Job summary

Eventus Legal, a specialist criminal defence practice in Dewsbury, is recruiting an experienced Criminal Paralegal for a full-time, office-based role. You will manage a varied Crown Court caseload under supervision, communicating clearly with clients and colleagues, and supporting solicitors with hearings and case preparation.

Key requirements include strong knowledge of criminal procedure, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to work independently with flexibility for out-of-hours

Qualifications

• Experienced Criminal Paralegal with strong knowledge of criminal procedure and the criminal justice system.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills under pressure.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to the team.
• Flexibility for occasional out-of-hours work and travel to police stations/courts.

Responsibilities

• Progress criminal defence matters from instruction to conclusion with appropriate supervision.
• Take client instructions and maintain clear, professional communication.
• Review disclosure, statements, exhibits and body-worn footage.
• Prepare correspondence, applications and case summaries; assist counsel with hearings.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Independence

Flexibility

Police Station Accreditation

Digital case management systems

Tools

Digital case management systems

Job description

Eventus Legal are seeking an experienced Criminal Paralegal to join a specialist criminal defence practice in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. This full-time, permanent job is office-based and offers a competitive salary of £30,000 - £35,000 DOE plus 25 days annual leave, workplace pension scheme, paid training and professional development, paid professional memberships or accreditation renewal fees, time off in lieu of additional hours worked and reimbursement of travel expenses and free parking. You will manage a varied caseload, including Crown Court matters, with appropriate supervision from an experienced team member and opportunities to develop your expertise and progress your legal career.

Role Responsibilities

As a Criminal Paralegal, you will progress criminal defence matters from initial instruction through to conclusion, keeping clients informed throughout. Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing criminal defence files with appropriate supervision, including preparing and progressing your own Crown Court caseload
• Taking client instructions and providing clear, sensitive and professional communication throughout each matter
• Reviewing police disclosure, witness statements, exhibits and body-worn video footage
• Preparing correspondence, applications, case summaries and instructions to counsel, and supporting solicitors with hearing and trial preparation
• Liaising with police, courts, counsel, experts and other relevant agencies
• Attending police stations to assist clients where appropriately accredited
• Drafting and submitting legal aid applications
• Maintaining accurate electronic case records and meeting deadlines, court directions and case management requirements

Person Specification

You will be an experienced Criminal Paralegal with a background in criminal defence practice and a good working knowledge of criminal procedure and the criminal justice system. You should also be able to demonstrate the following:

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands under pressure
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with a confident and professional approach to clients and other professionals
• Close attention to detail and the ability to work independently while contributing positively to the team
• Flexibility to meet the demands of criminal defence work, including occasional out-of-hours requirements
• Police Station Accreditation and experience assisting clients in custody are highly desirable, particularly the ability to attend police stations independently
• Legal aid criminal defence experience and familiarity with Magistrates' Court and Crown Court proceedings are desirable
• Experience using digital case management systems and electronic bundles is desirable
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to police stations and courts where required are desirable

Benefits and Rewards

This Criminal Paralegal job offers the opportunity to develop your career within a supportive and experienced criminal defence team. The successful Criminal Paralegal will also benefit from:

• Salary between £30,000 - £35,000 based on experience
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Workplace pension scheme
• Funded Police Station Accreditation
• Paid training and professional development
• Paid professional memberships or accreditation renewal fees
• Time off in lieu of additional hours worked and reimbursement of travel expenses
• Free parking
• Opportunities to develop your criminal law expertise and progress your legal career
• Full-time, permanent employment with office-based working, Monday to Friday, with flexibility and occasional out-of-hours work required

About the Law Firm

Our client is a specialist criminal defence law firm holding the Specialist Quality Mark, with a practice covering general and serious crime, fraud, road traffic offences and regulatory matters. The firm supports clients throughout the criminal justice process, providing advice and representation from initial police station attendance through to Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court proceedings. You will join a busy, supportive team of experienced criminal law professionals, working on a varied caseload that offers scope to deepen your specialist knowledge and strengthen your case preparation skills. With appropriate supervision and experienced colleagues to work alongside, this opportunity will allow you to build on your existing criminal defence experience, develop your confidence in managing complex matters and progress your legal career.

Please note, the years' experience and/or salary are listed in our advertisements as a guide. We are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances.