Paralegal

UKAS; Staines-upon-Thames; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

UKAS in Staines-upon-Thames is seeking a proactive Paralegal to support governance, compliance and commercial matters. Reporting to the Director of Legal, you will draft papers, manage records and assist with regulatory inquiries.

The role also involves negotiating contracts, conducting legal research and supporting IP and governance across functions. Hybrid working is available; base at Head Office in Staines.

Qualifications

• Law degree (LLB) or law conversion course (GDL).
• At least 1 year experience as a paralegal or comparable legal support role.
• Familiarity with UK Regulatory bodies and frameworks.
• Interest in public law and commercial law.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently or in a team.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and legal research tools.

Responsibilities

• Prepare agendas, papers, minutes and action logs for governance meetings.
• Maintain legal and corporate records, including governance documents and registers.
• Track regulatory and policy developments affecting accreditation and government relationships.
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial and supplier contracts and confidentiality agreements.
• Review policies to stay aligned with governance framework and operations.
• Assist with legal queries, complaints and disputes, escalating as needed.
• Conduct legal research on accreditation, standards, data protection and governance.
• Support IP and brand matters, including marks and templates.
• Assist cross-functional projects with legal input.

Skills

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Team player

Legal research

Education

LLB or GDL

Tools

Microsoft Office

Legal research tools

Job description

Reporting to the Director of Legal, you will support UKAS as the UK’s National Accreditation Body across accreditation, conformity assessment, corporate governance, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement.

Key responsibilities:

Governance, accreditation and compliance

• Prepare accurate agendas, papers, minutes and action logs for Board, committee and governance meetings, ensuring timely distribution and effective document control.
• Maintain legal and corporate records, including governance documents, policies, delegated authorities, registers and company secretarial records.
• Track legislative, regulatory and policy developments affecting UKAS’s accreditation activities, conformity assessment work, public authority role and government relationships.

Contracts, commercial matters and stakeholder support

• Help draft, review and negotiate commercial and supplier contracts, consultancy and confidentiality agreements, data processing terms and accreditation-related documents.
• Review legal, compliance and business policies to keep them clear, up to date and aligned with UKAS’s governance framework and operational needs.
• Help address legal queries, complaints and disputes involving customers, suppliers and stakeholders, escalating issues appropriately and supporting correspondence under legal counsel’s supervision.

Legal research, risk and special projects

• Research legal and regulatory matters relating to accreditation, conformity assessment, standards, public policy, procurement, data protection and corporate governance.
• Support UKAS’s intellectual property and brand matters, including the use of UKAS marks, accreditation symbols, templates and external materials.
• Assist with legal risk management, due diligence, document control and cross-functional projects involving accreditation operations, technical teams, Finance, procurement, Human Resources and external counsel.

Requirements

• Law degree (LLB) or law conversion course (GDL)
• At least 1 year experience as a paralegal or comparable legal support role
• Familiarity with UK Regulatory bodies and frameworks
• Interest in public law and commercial law
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently on tasks as well as in a team
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and legal research tools

Please note this is a full-time role, with the option of hybrid working, based at our Head Office in Staines, upon-Thames

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Fostering a Culture of Belonging

UKAS is proud to be the United Kingdom’s National Accreditation Body. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences.

UKAS is committed to promoting a culture of belonging and values the differences and uniqueness that everyone brings to the organisation.

We welcome candidates across all types of backgrounds, circumstances and identities to support our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) commitments.