Legal Support Officer

Ministry of Justice; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A government legal department in the UK seeks a candidate to conduct litigation for the Public Guardian, providing legal advice across various matters. Responsibilities include managing court applications and reviewing cases, with opportunities for professional development. The role offers a hybrid working arrangement, requiring office attendance. Benefits include competitive leave, pension options, and extensive training opportunities.

Benefits

Annual leave increasing from 25 to 30 days

Pension scheme options

Training and development opportunities

Employee-run networks for support

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Experience in a legal environment is essential.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and stakeholders efficiently.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Conduct litigation on behalf of the Public Guardian.
• Provide legal advice across the organization.
• Prepare and submit court application documents.

Skills

Communication skills

Legal expertise

Organizational skills

Education

Law degree or equivalent qualification

Job description

Duties and Responsibilities

(1) to conduct litigation on behalf of the Public Guardian in the Court of Protection, managing the whole litigation process. This involves reviewing cases from colleagues in Operations, Investigations and Supervision, and making a decision as to whether to issue applications covering the following: 1. Determination of the lawfulness of certain provisions of LPAs and the severance of unlawful parts; 2. Removal of attorneys appointed on the ground they are not acting in accordance with their MCA obligations; and 3. Removal of non‑compliant deputies.

(2) to provide legal advice across the organisation on a wide range of matters including policy, investigations, complaints and where litigation is threatened/brought against OPG. The work is important, rewarding and challenging in ensuring timely action is taken to prevent abuse. Whilst being based across several different offices, the team works well together as a community, team members are well‑supported and there is progression at all levels. For paralegals, there are potential opportunities for support with applications to qualify as lawyers. We are committed to becoming a Government leader in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance legal operations and service delivery.

• Provide administrative assistance to Legal Paralegals, Lawyers, and Operational Managers.
• Monitor and manage routine correspondence (post and email), set calendar reminders, and communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Submit court application documents to the Court of Protection (COP).
• Serve court applications to external parties and parties as directed by court orders.
• Prepare and distribute court bundles for hearings.
• Issue safeguarding letters to various entities (e.g. DWP, financial institutions, care homes, local authorities).
• Operate and update a case management system, ensuring data accuracy and compliance with regulations.
• Follow data assurance policies and maintain information security.
• Manage office supplies, oversee stationery ordering, and ensure stock levels are maintained.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and education.
• Engage in regular appraisals to enhance skills and meet role competencies.
• Hybrid working arrangement, including office attendance, is required for certain tasks.

Agreed Expectations

The successful candidate will be expected to work from their base location on a weekly basis in line with current Civil Service requirements, outside of any reasonable adjustments. Office attendance is required at 40%. Occasional travel to other offices is required.

This recruitment will follow the Civil Service Success Profile process. Candidates will be expected to provide a Personal Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words in support of your application based on the essential and desirable skills. In the event of there being a large number of applications, the following will be used as a lead criterion: - "Experience of working in a legal environment". Desirable skills will only be considered if candidates have met all the essential criteria. In the event of a tie breaker, desirable skills will be used as the deciding factor.

Assessment

If you are successful at sift, you will be invited for a practical assessment which will test your technical skills. The assessment will be held remotely, and a set time will be given for you to complete it. During the assessment, candidates will be provided with written information on a screen to read. Candidates will then be expected to answer questions on this information during the set time. This will take place following the application sift and before the interview. You will be required to pass the assessment to be able to continue to the next stage.

Interview Process

If you are successful at the assessment, you will be invited to an interview which will use the Civil Service Success Profiles. At interview, candidates should expect questions on:

• Strengths relevant to the role
• Your experience of working in a legal environment.
• The following Behaviours at AO grade:

o Managing a Quality Service o Delivering at Pace All interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Hybrid Working arrangements

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non‑contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Benefits

• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part‑time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro‑rata basis.
• Pension: The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
• Training: The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Networks: The opportunity to join employee‑run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
• Family Friendly policies: opportunities to work reduced hours or job share. Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight testing for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order:

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm)
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ([e-mail])
• To Civil Service Commission (details available here)