Paralegal

South West Grid For Learning Trust Ltd; Exeter; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

South West Grid for Learning Trust Ltd in Exeter is seeking a Paralegal to support the Legal Counsel and leadership team. The role focuses on contract review, legislative analysis, and legal research across three entities, with responsibilities ranging from drafting briefs to maintaining the contract register.

You will work in a small, fast-moving team, using AI tools to speed research while ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Qualifications

• Law degree, or studying towards one (LLB, GDL, LLM, or CILEx).
• Some paralegal experience preferred.
• Prior office-based experience required – operate independently from day one in a small, fast-moving team.

Responsibilities

• Review, redline and summarise contracts, grants, partnerships and supplier terms.
• Maintain contract register; flag risk, non-standard terms and key dates.
• Track legislative changes and prepare clear, actionable briefings.
• Conduct AI-enabled legal research and draft first versions; verify outputs.
• Draft and format correspondence and board papers; manage files and calendars.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Organised

Discretion

Proactive

Independent worker

Education

Law degree or studying toward one (LLB, GDL, LLM, or CILEx)

Tools

Microsoft Office

AI tools

Job description

Paralegal support to the Legal Counsel and leadership team, focused on contract review, legislative analysis, and legal research across the group's three entities.

Key Responsibilities

• Contract review – review, redline and summarise commercial contracts, grant agreements, partnership and data-sharing agreements, and supplier terms. Maintain the contract register across all three entities and flag risk, non-standard terms, and key dates.
• Legislative analysis – track and interpret changes in law and regulation affecting the group (UK GDPR/Data Protection Act, Online Safety Act, charity and company law) and turn them into clear, actionable briefings.
• AI-enabled legal research – use AI tools to speed up research, case law and regulatory searches, and first drafts – and check every output before it's relied on.
• Legal administration – draft and format correspondence, board and legal papers, and templates; maintain files, precedents and version control; support due diligence, compliance and governance; liaise with external counsel; own deadlines and diaries for legal matters.

South West Grid for Learning Trust Ltd, Belvedere House, Woodwater Park, Pynes Hill, Exeter, EX2 5WS. Registered in England and Wales, Company Number 5589479. Charity Number 1120354. VAT Reg. Number 880 8618 88

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Law degree, or studying towards one (LLB, GDL, LLM, or CILEx).

Experience

• Some paralegal experience preferred.
• Prior office-based experience required – you'll be expected to operate independently from day one in a small, fast-moving team.

Skills and Competencies

• Confident with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and quick to pick up new tools, including AI.
• Strong written and verbal communicator.
• Sharp attention to detail and accuracy.
• Organised – manages multiple tasks and deadlines without prompting.
• Discreet with confidential and sensitive information.
• Comfortable operating in a small, multi-entity organisation.
• Proactive and self-starting – works well independently and as part of a small team.