Legal Assistant

Bristol City Council; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is looking for a Legal Assistant in Bristol. You'll provide legal support and manage sensitive cases within a diverse team. This role requires proficiency in Excel and the ability to engage with multiple stakeholders. Hybrid working options are available. Benefits include flexible working, pension scheme, and annual leave.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Qualifications

• Experience in a legal environment is a plus but not essential.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision while maintaining standards.
• Knowledge of Data Protection rules and data handling.

Responsibilities

• Handle court cases and disclosure requests.
• Liaise with Family Courts and other stakeholders.
• Assist in data collection and reporting.
• Support legal practitioners with case management.

Skills

Knowledge of law and legal environment

Proficiency in Excel

Ability to engage with stakeholders

Comfort with sensitive information

Job description

Overview

Permanent, Full Time

Location: City Hall College Green City Centre Bristol BS1 5TR. We will consider individuals who are fully remote or open to hybrid working.

The Child Protection team within Bristol City Council's legal service are looking for a Legal Assistant to provide legal support and to co-work cases with designated Solicitors. Working for a diverse and innovative Council, you’ll need to be quick-thinking, versatile and comfortable working with a wide range of people. It’s an exciting, intellectually challenging environment that will test your skills and knowledge to the full.

Responsibilities

• Handle court cases including care proceedings work and dealing with disclosure requests from the Family Court.
• Liaise with Family Courts, CAFCASS, Lawyers and internal Council stakeholders and sometimes citizens.
• Assist with data collection and reporting; knowledge of Data Protection rules, including redaction of documents, is welcome.
• Work with and/or collect data using Excel and related statistics as part of case monitoring.
• Operate in a role that involves handling sensitive and sometimes distressing material.
• Maintain IT literacy, including using a legal case management system, and provide support to legal practitioners in the team.
• Support a varied caseload with minimal supervision and develop strong client relationships.
• Work to tight deadlines, prioritise effectively, and perform duties in a professional and accurate, client-focused manner.

Qualifications and requirements

• Knowledge and experience of the law and working in a legal environment would be an advantage but is not essential.
• Proficiency in Excel and broader data handling/statistical tasks is welcomed.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and maintain professional standards.
• Ability to engage with a range of stakeholders, including courts, CAFCASS, solicitors and internal teams.
• Comfort with handling sensitive information and applying data protection practices.

Why Bristol City Council?

We go that extra mile for our people; a fast-moving and supportive work environment within a high-profile organisation. Hybrid working arrangements are available for the majority of roles, balancing service needs with individual flexibility.

Rewards include flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. You’ll have the chance to contribute to Bristol’s future in a supportive environment.

How to apply

If you share our values, to be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we may shortlist against desirable criteria as well; please demonstrate how you meet these in your application.

We are a Disability Confident employer. Applicants who consider themselves disabled and meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview. We will make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support.

It is Bristol City Council’s practice to request references for candidates offered a job. For roles requiring a Disclosure and Barring Service check, references may be requested after invitation to interview.

For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or contact Rebecca Davies ([e-mail]) or Rhianna Howell.

Equality and diversity

Bristol City Council strives to reflect the communities it serves and is committed to diversity in our hiring process. Appointments will be made on merit.

The personal information section of the application form is confidential and used to ensure fair treatment.