Paralegal Caseworker

Ministry of Justice; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension scheme

Training opportunities

Flexible working

Job summary

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) within the Ministry of Justice is seeking a Paralegal to support litigation and legal administration across the Court of Protection. You will manage cases from initial application to closure, prepare statements, and ensure documents are stored in the Legal Case Management System.

The role emphasizes timely action and compliance in a fast-paced environment. Key duties include inputting information into case systems, drafting responses, and liaising with

Qualifications

• Experience in a legal environment with case progression and document preparation.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload and meet deadlines in a statutory framework.
• Strong written and verbal communication for professional correspondence.

Responsibilities

• Assist with case preparation from application to closure.
• Input case information into management systems and prepare court documents.
• Support diary management, and review severance cases with lawyer oversight.
• Draft responses under lawyer oversight and assemble court bundles.
• Maintain relationships with clients and stakeholders to progress cases.

Skills

Legal environment

Case progression

Legal documentation

Court proceedings

Stakeholder communication

Education

Legal qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Case management systems

Word processing

Job description

(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., To ensure the Public Guardian (or those representing them) is fully prepared to present cases in Court by assisting OPG lawyers in the preparation and progression of matter through the Court of Protection (COP). You will retain ownership of the case from court application to closure ensuring all documents are received from parties and COP and are stored appropriately within the Legal Case Management System. This is a fast‑paced environment, where you must be able to manage and prioritise your work, through the life of a case including regular reviews and closure to ensure effective delivery of all targets. This is a technical position with no management responsibilities. You will report to an Operational HEO manager. Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Following client department instructions and providing legal information to both client departments and the public.
• Managing a caseload to meet relevant Impact Indicators and Service Standard targets
• Accurately inputting case information into legal management systems and preparing court documents such as witness statements and COP forms.
• Performing general administrative tasks, interpreting court orders, and supporting diary management, where required.
• Reviewing and making decisions on severance cases and gathering formal statements and evidence for lawyer review
• Drafting responses to correspondence under lawyer oversight and preparing court bundles and indexes.
• Engaging and liaising with clients via different methods of communication to maintain positive relationships and successful progression of cases
• Providing support during court hearings and meetings, conducting legal research, and arranging meetings with various parties.
• Identifying urgent matters and escalating them as needed, collaborating with lawyers to progress and close cases.
• Supporting continuous improvement in the legal team's work and delivery of training as and when required
• Keeping up to date with legal changes ensuring services align with new legislation and policies.
• Travel to other locations as required and handling confidential information.

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. Occasional travel to other offices is required.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Behaviour:

• Delivering at pace (level 2)

Assessment If you are successful at sift, you will be invited for a practical assessment which will test your technical skills and relevant essential skills. The assessment will be held remotely, and a set time will be given 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 assessment, you will be invited for an interview which will use the Civil Service Success Profiles. At interview, candidates should expect questions on:

• Strengths relevant to the role
• Behaviours at Level 2:
  • Delivering at pace - lead behaviour
  • Working together
  • Managing a quality service

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). Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on “modernised” terms in their current post or onto “unmodernised” MoJ terms if they are on “unmodernised” terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy.

Delivering at Pace Experience

We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods

Statement of Suitability Statement of Suitability Guidance for the Statement of Suitability

Evidence of Experience Statement of Suitability

Level of security checks required

Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)

• Experience of working in a legal environment, including progressing casework, preparing legal documentation, analysing evidence or information, and supporting court, tribunal or legal proceedings
• Ability to manage a varied caseload, assess priorities, exercise sound judgement and deliver accurate outcomes within competing deadlines.
• Ability to analyse information, identify key issues and make well‑reasoned recommendations or decisions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting professional correspondence and explaining complex legal or procedural information clearly to a range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrable attention to detail when handling sensitive or confidential information, maintaining accurate records and updating case management systems.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across teams, professions and grades to progress legal matters and achieve shared outcomes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and case management systems, with experience of producing professional documents and maintaining accurate electronic records.

Desirable Skills

• Legal qualification, including but not limited to; law degree, qualifying law degree, Graduate Diploma in Law, CiLex, LPC, BPC.
• Knowledge or practical experience of Court of Protection processes.
• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, Code of Practice, LPA, EPA or deputyship regulations.
• Experience working in a government, court, public sector or regulated environment.

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. We are an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), set up in 2007 following the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act of 2005.

OPG is a disability confident employer and is committed to developing a supportive and inclusive environment that reflects the diverse community we serve.

OPG is currently delivering an ambitious transformation programme. This will change the way we provide services and help us meet the growing needs of our users, partners and our stakeholders. It will make sure our users experience a better level of support and will help us to respond to the changing needs of society. Transformation will ensure we can better support adults at risk and create high‑quality services that are accessible and affordable.

The team – comprising 70 to 80 staff members – is multidisciplinary in nature and aims to provide a high quality and efficient specialist legal service for OPG. We have Senior Lawyers, Lawyers, Senior Paralegals and Paralegals, a Legal Support team as well as an excellent team of legal operations specialists.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Benefits

• Annual Leave Annual leave is 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‑rated 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.

Support

• Support: A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as 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.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests 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) or e mail [e-mail]);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ([e-mail]);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.