Paralegal

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

Job summary

A local government authority in Dorchester seeks paralegals for the Regulatory and Contracts Teams. This role involves supporting solicitors, drafting legal documents, and working on contract-related matters. Ideal candidates should have a law degree and excellent communication skills. Flexible working arrangements are available. Join a supportive organization committed to professional development.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Career development opportunities

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Must have a law degree or equivalent qualification.
• Genuine interest in public law is necessary.
• Experience in an office environment is essential.
• Ability to manage competing priorities is critical.

Responsibilities

• Support solicitors with research and legal document drafting.
• Work on planning and highways agreements.
• Assist with contract drafting and procurement processes.

Skills

Organisational skills

Detail-oriented

Written communication

Verbal communication

IT proficiency

Education

Law degree or equivalent

Job description

Overview

About The Roles

We have two paralegals roles (one each) in our Regulatory Team and Contracts Team who support the Council on a range of matters across the Council services. We work closely with our 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.

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 stunning 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 case load 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.