Paralegal - CICA

FQPS Academy Ltd.; Leeds; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + extended leave

Annual pay & bonus review

Health & wellbeing support

Pension arrangements

Volunteer days

Discounts & lifestyle benefits

Job summary

Irwin Mitchell in the UK is seeking a Senior Paralegal to join the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) team. You will support clients pursuing compensation claims and work alongside CICA Fee Earners to deliver compassionate, efficient service.

You will manage a busy caseload, maintain accurate records and communicate clearly with clients and stakeholders. Experience in Personal Injury or related claimant litigation is desirable; strong organisation and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a caseload within Personal Injury, Serious Injury, Abuse, Clinical Negligence, Criminal Injuries Compensation or other claimant litigation environments.
• Demonstrable ability to organise and prioritise a varied workload with deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including sensitive client interactions.
• Excellent attention to detail and accurate case records.
• Ability to work collaboratively while taking responsibility for tasks.
• Experience delivering high-quality client service in challenging circumstances.

Responsibilities

• Support clients pursuing compensation claims through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
• Work alongside CICA Claims Fee Earners to manage a busy caseload and deadlines.
• Maintain high standards of client service and professional communications.

Skills

Caseload management

Prioritisation

Communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Client service

Job description

As one of the UK’s leading law firms, we’re here for the people and businesses who rely on us at life’s important moments - made possible by our colleagues who bring the expertise, judgement and care that makes the difference.

Our colleagues bring Irwin Mitchell to life every day, so it matters that you feel valued from the very first day and are trusted with the responsibility, in the right culture, to do the best work of your careers. Everyone’s path here is different, but we share a desire to help our business make a real impact.

Where possible we will support our colleagues to work in a way that works for them, for us and most importantly our clients. Please speak to a member of our Recruitment and Onboarding team for more information.

Your Role and What You'll Be Doing

We are currently looking for a Senior Paralegal to join our Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) team.

Personal injury and illness can have a dramatic and sometimes life-changing impact on those affected and the people closest to them. The personal injury teams at Irwin Mitchell do more than pursue compensation claims. We work closely with our clients and their families to ensure they receive the support and rehabilitation they need. This unique and tailored approach makes a real difference to people whose lives have been changed by injury or traumatic events. Experience of dealing with criminal injury compensation claims would be advantageous but is not essential.

Working alongside our CICA Claims Fee Earners, you will play an important role in supporting clients pursuing compensation claims through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This includes claims arising from assault, domestic abuse, childhood abuse, psychological trauma caused by threats of violence, human trafficking, terrorism-related incidents and fatal criminal injuries affecting family members.

You can learn more about our CICA team here.

About You

You will be organised, empathetic and able to manage a busy workload while maintaining exceptional standards of client service.

Essential criteria

• Experience managing a caseload within Personal Injury, Serious Injury, Abuse, Clinical Negligence, Criminal Injuries Compensation (desirable) or other claimant litigation environments.
• Demonstrable ability to organise and prioritise a varied workload, managing multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate sensitively and professionally with clients and other stakeholders.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate case records, documents, and correspondence.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while taking responsibility for assigned tasks.
• Experience of providing high-quality client service, particularly when supporting individuals in sensitive or challenging circumstances.

Our Approach to Reward and Wellbeing

• 25 days' holiday as standard, rising to 28 days depending on role level, plus bank holidays and the option to purchase additional leave.
• Opportunities to share in our success through annual pay and bonus review processes for eligible colleagues.
• Health and wellbeing support, including Westfield Health and Digital GP access.
• Competitive pension arrangements to help you plan for the future.
• Two paid volunteering days every year to support causes that matter to you.
• Access to a range of colleague discounts and lifestyle benefits to support you both inside and outside of work.

We also offer a wide range of well‑being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace and to make sure you’re fully supported.

In 2026, Irwin Mitchell was recognised in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work guide and was the only law firm included in the 'Very Big' organisation category

Our responsible business programmes are fundamental to who we are and our purpose. We’re committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where our colleagues can flourish, and we have established a number of inclusion network groups across our business to support this aim.

Our commitment to Social Responsibility, community investment activity and tackling climate change is a fundamental part of who we are. It’s made up of four strands: Our People, Our Community, Our Environment and Our Pro Bono.

Will this role count as your QWE, and who will confirm it?

Check it against the SRA’s questions in two minutes. If there is no COLP or solicitor where you work, the SRA lets a solicitor outside confirm it: an FQPS solicitor can, from £275.