Legal Caseworker / Assistant - Criminal law

Smartsearch Recruitment; Manchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a motivated Legal Caseworker to join their Crown Court team in Manchester. This full-time, permanent role offers a unique opportunity to support the progression of criminal cases while gaining valuable experience in the legal sector. Ideal candidates will possess strong organisational and communication skills, and a proactive approach to client interactions. You will be integral to managing case files, liaising with various stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with court deadlines. If you are passionate about building a career in criminal law, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Experience in legal or criminal law roles is highly advantageous.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage files for Crown Court cases.
• Liaise with clients, counsel, and courts to ensure smooth operations.

Skills

Organisational Skills

Communication Skills

Microsoft Office

Time Management

Education

Legal Graduate

Paralegal Experience

Tools

DCS

Job description

Legal Caseworker / Assistant Criminal law Location: Salford, Manchester Full-Time Permanent Competitive salary negotiable with excellent career progression, development and training opportunities. A full driving licence and use of a car is essential, as some travel as part of the role is required.

Overview:
Are you looking to start or grow your career in the legal sector? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where your attention to detail and organisational skills make a real difference? If so, we d love to hear from you. Experience in the Legal Sector and/or criminal law in a relevant role such as a Legal Assistant, Caseworker, Paralegal, Research Assistant or Legal Graduate would be highly advantageous, but we are also keen to hear from candidates from other sectors with relevant skills E.g. HR, Social Services, case work.

As a Legal Caseworker / Leal Assistant in the Crown Court team, you ll play a key role in supporting the progression of criminal cases through the courts. This is a hands-on role at the heart of the legal process, where you'll assist with preparing case files, managing key documents, and liaising with clients and justice partners, whilst meeting strict court deadlines. You ll often be the first point of contact for enquiries and correspondence, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

Whether you re already working in a legal setting or looking to break into the profession, this role offers valuable experience, structured support, and a chance to be part of a dedicated and experienced team working on serious and high-impact cases.

Key Responsibilities:

• Preparing and managing files for Crown Court cases
• Liaising with clients, counsel, courts, and other professionals
• Attending client conferences, court hearings, and prison visits as required
• Ensuring documentation is submitted accurately and on time in line with Crown Court deadlines
• Maintaining and updating files in accordance with firm procedures and court requirements
• Providing general administrative and case support to fee earners within the department

Candidate requirements:

• Ideally have some previous legal or criminal law experience in a similar role E.g. Legal Assistant, Caseworker, Paralegal, Research Assistant or Legal Graduate.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• A professional and proactive approach to client and colleague interactions
• The ability to manage time effectively and prioritise a varied workload
• Confidence in using Microsoft Office and other digital tools including DCS
• A full UK driving licence and use of own car

If you are enthusiastic, professional, and looking to build a long-term career within criminal defence, we would be delighted to hear from you.