Paralegal

Dorset Council; Dorchester; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in Dorchester is seeking paralegals for their Regulatory and Contracts teams. The roles involve assisting solicitors with legal research, drafting documents, and managing contracts. Ideal candidates will have a law degree and strong organisational skills. Flexible working options are available, supporting a healthy work-life balance. Join us to make a difference in the community.

Benefits

Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

Access to training opportunities

Supportive work culture

Qualifications

• Genuine interest in public law.
• Experience in an office environment is essential.
• Comfortable working independently and managing competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Support solicitors in carrying out research and drafting legal documents.
• Work on planning and highways agreements.
• Assist in contract drafting, termination, and procurement processes.

Skills

Organisational skills

Detail-focused

Written communication

Verbal communication

IT skills

Education

Law degree or equivalent qualification

Job description

Overview

We have two paralegals roles (one in the Regulatory Team and one in the Contracts Team) who support the Council on a range of matters across the Council services. We work closely with colleagues across legal services and client departments to ensure we’re delivering value for money, strategic objectives and meeting client needs for the benefit of Dorset’s residents and business communities.

For more information about legal services as a whole, please look at our recruitment website Working in Legal Services - Dorset Council.

What’s In It For You

This is not a typical public sector legal service – we are busy, future-focused, proud of our professional expertise and high standards and confident in our advice. You’ll join a service which fosters a strong culture of support, respect, and integrity.

We are keen for you to build your career in a modern, flexible, and inclusive organisation and always look for ways for our team to increase experience and advance through the council. Everyone who joins our service is supported to develop their legal career and expand their specialist knowledge and skills. You will be positively challenged with a varied caseload and be involved in interesting work from the outset.

Based in our beautiful county, you’ll find miles of coastline and countryside to explore, with sport and activities, greenspaces and culture. Our flexible and hybrid working arrangements support you to enjoy a healthier work-life balance and well-being, which extends into your family life through our family-friendly policies.

The position is based at County Hall in Dorchester, with close access to shops and cafés in the attractive market town.

What You Can Expect To Be Doing

In the Regulatory Team, you’ll support solicitors including by carrying out research and drafting legal documents including working on planning and highways agreements and advice matters.

In the Contracts Team, you’ll work alongside the lawyers on matters covering contract drafting, termination, disputes, grant agreements and procurement processes for all our client departments including highways, transport, adult and child social care, education and IT.

If appropriate, you''ll be supported to develop your skills and will progress to carrying your own caseload of contract matters with supervision. The exact content of the role can be flexed to suit a graduate, someone changing sector or a more experienced paralegal to offer interesting work and growth in your career.

About You

• you’ll need a law degree or equivalent qualification and a genuine interest in public law
• you should be organised, detail-focused, and confident in your written and verbal communication
• you’ll be comfortable working independently and as part of a team, and able to manage competing priorities
• experience in an office environment and the ability to use IT confidently are also essential
• experience in a legal setting or knowledge of local government law would be a bonus.

We welcome applications from those looking to work full or part time, and those interested in one or both roles. If you have a preference for which team you would like to join please let us know in your application.

Further Information

For an informal discussion about the Regulatory role please contact Phil Crowther on 01305 225108 or by email [email protected]. For the Contracts role please contact Jen Cook on 01305 221308 or by email [email protected].

This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.

Internal Vacancy Advertising

This Vacancy Is Being Advertised Internally To

• our employees
• agency workers currently working for us
• casual workers currently working for us

If we cannot appoint someone, the vacancy may then open to external candidates.

Employees working within a school are not considered internal applicants.

About Us

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We

• provide essential services that support over 380,000 residents
• work in partnership to make a real difference
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You Will

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• have access to a range of benefits and support
• have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible. If you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.