Legal Clerical Assistant

Durham County Council; North East; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

27–32 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

Durham County Council's Legal Services team is seeking an organised administrative professional to support a busy litigation and governance workload. You will prepare essential legal documents, manage Court/Tribunal applications, file maintenance, and assist with FOI requests and billing administration.

With 4 GCSEs including English and a Level 3 NVQ/qualification in Administration or equivalent, you will join a supportive department offering hybrid working, generous annual leave, career

Qualifications

• 4 GCSEs (A–C) including English language or literature.
• NVQ Level 3 in Administration, BTEC National (Admin) or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Litigation support: prepare and file legal documents and court bundles.
• Manage road closure notices from start to completion.
• Coordinate FOI requests and governance-related deadlines.
• Arrange fee billing under service agreements.
• Prepare, route, and seal legal documents.

Education

GCSEs A-C including English Language or Literature

NVQ Level 3 in Administration / BTEC National (Admin) / equivalent

Tools

Legal database

Job description

Are you an organised administrative professional looking to take the next step in your career? Do you want to do meaningful work that directly impacts your local community?

Join our Legal Services team and play a vital role in providing high‑quality administration support across a diverse range of litigation and governance areas. This is a fantastic opportunity to build your skills, and work alongside professionals in a supportive environment.

WHATS INVOLVED?

• Litigation Support: Preparing and completing vital legal documents, Court/Tribunal applications, and professional Court bundles.
• Road Closure Notices: Independently managing, executing, and registering Temporary Traffic road closure notices from intention to completion.
• Governance & Compliance: Coordinating critical RIPA deadlines alongside our Governance Lawyer and organizing/supporting Company Governance meetings.
• Information Management: Leading the administration of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests for the Legal Services department.
• Financial Administration: Arranging fee billing in respect of Service Level Agreements (including key partners like Chapter Homes, Fire Authority, and Academy schools).
• Legal Formalities: Preparing, organising, and routing legal documents to be formally sealed and signed.

To keep our busy department running smoothly, you will also:

• Open, maintain, and close client files on our legal database.
• General administrative tasks (photocopying, archiving, and filing).
• Monitoring and managing stationery stock control.
• Handling general postage, including the personal delivery of urgent legal documents when required.

WHAT WILL I NEED?

4 GCSE’s, Grades A-C including English Language or Literature and NVQ Level 3 in Administration, BTEC National (Admin), or equivalent.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will be held on 3 November 2026.

Weoperatea guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and haveindicatedthey have a disability, are a looked after young person, careleaveror a veteran.

OUR OFFER TO YOU

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website.

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

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