Paralegal (Contaminated Blood)

Leigh Day

Manchester

Hybrid

GBP 28,000 - 36,000

Full time

5 days ago

Be an early applicant

Application generator

Don’t send a generic resume — generate a resume and cover letter tailored to this exact role.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

29 days annual leave

Enhanced pension contributions

Life assurance 4 x salary

Healthcare cash plan

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted gym membership

Enhanced maternity & paternity pay

Electric car scheme

Job summary

Leigh Day is seeking a proactive paralegal for its Human Rights team in Manchester to support group claims, client liaison, and litigation processes. The role includes drafting, researching, and managing documents with attention to detail, while maintaining strict compliance with SRA rules.

The successful candidate will work closely with solicitors, conduct client interviews, organise bundles, and ensure timely progress of cases. Hybrid working and strong academic credentials are encouraged.

Qualifications

Experience as a paralegal or legal support is essential.
Strong legal research abilities and accurate drafting skills.
Ability to interview clients and take instructions with sensitivity.
Excellent time management and organisation under pressure.

Responsibilities

Manage group claims and maintain accurate client records.
Assist with drafting documents, witness statements, and court filings.
Support with case management, liaison with clients, and document handling.
Maintain time records and support development of new practice areas.

Skills

Paralegal experience

Legal research

Client interviewing

Documentation drafting

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Legal qualifications (Degree, GDL, LPC)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Practice/Case Management Systems

Electronic disclosure review platforms

Job description

About The Team

Our Human Rights team are currently working on a number of notable group claims including representing individuals who contracted Hepatitis C and/or Hepatitis B and/or HIV from NHS blood, blood products or tissue. Termed the "worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS", the contaminated blood scandal was recently the subject of Public Inquiry which reported in May 2024. Following the Infected Blood Inquiry's damming report, the Government set-up the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme to compensate individuals infected and affected by contaminated blood. Leigh Day is one of the legal firms representing and assisting individuals applying for compensation via the Scheme.

About The Team

Overall purpose for this role

To provide a reliable and efficient support service for clients and assist with general administration of group claims.
To assist the firm in achieving its stated professional and commercial objectives.
To undertake a wide variety of paralegal and administrative tasks as set out below.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

Case management

To effectively manage group claims and ensure that accurate information and instructions are obtained from clients, that accurate records are maintained and that all files are kept up to date.
Assist with drafting documents, client liaison including interviewing clients and taking instructions, preparation of witness statements, research work, assist with negotiations and provide general administrative support.
Conduct legal and factual research and prepare research notes.
Obtaining, collating and reviewing medical records.
Assist the solicitor/ team in all aspects of litigation including preparation of correspondence/ documents, dealing with funding issues, preparing for court hearings / trial / settlement, instruction of experts, disclosure review, quantification of claims, costs assessment/ negotiations.
To monitor all aspects of the case on behalf of the client and advise on whether subsequent developments affect views previously expressed.
To pay attention to detail and ensure accuracy of work.
Supporting the research and development of new areas of practice for the firm.
In the absence of supervising fee-earner, ensure that urgent matters are referred to appropriate personnel.
To ensure that all work is conducted in compliance with SRA rules and the Civil Procedure Rules.

Client/ 3rd party management

Communicate with clients/ other parties as and when necessary in a professional, courteous and efficient manner.
Monitor all aspects of the case on behalf of the client and advise on whether subsequent developments affect views previously expressed.

File/Case management

Thorough and accurate note taking at meetings and preparation of file notes.
Organising and preparing bundles for court or for meetings.
Administrative work in order to ensure that the client's files are up-to-date and administrative work in relation to the cohort of clients.
Ensuring that time recording is updated daily.

Personal development

To keep knowledge up to date by attending in-house seminars, through research, reading and attending courses as appropriate.
To ensure learning and development plans are completed and that records are up to date and compliant with relevant SRA requirements.
To ensure that adequate training is received to be able to gain maximum benefit from the firm's investment in Information Technology.

Any other tasks as might from time to time be required.

Person specification

Genuine interest in working with a leading claimant law firm and passionate about providing access to justice to all. Commitment to human rights.
Previous experience in a legal firm along with demonstrable knowledge of drafting legal documentation and correspondence and conducting legal and factual research.
Ability to manage own workload in a busy environment to a consistently high standard and timely manner.
Demonstrable understanding of and commitment to client care.
Proven ability to communicate accurately, clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing with a wide range of clients and various stakeholders.
Experience in interviewing and liaising with clients and taking witness statements, dealing with clients sensitively and managing difficult conversations and taking accurate and full attendance notes of client instructions.
Proven ability to work and contribute to a team environment;
Good academic background with legal qualifications (Degree, GDL, LPC etc.).
Proficient user of Microsoft Office, with experience of Practice / Case Management Systems and electronic disclosure review platforms.
Ability to work well under pressure.

Desirable

At least one years' experience in personal injury litigation.
Experience of dealing with vulnerable clients.

About Leigh Day

We are a top 100 law firm committed to claimant-only cases, ensuring that individuals have the same access to justice as the UK Government and large corporations. We're not afraid to take on difficult and challenging cases involving medical negligence, serious personal injuries, discrimination in the workplace, defective products and human rights abuses in this country and overseas.

Benefits