Paralegal - Criminal Motor Defence

DAC Beachcroft LLP; England; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Income protection insurance

Gym membership discount

Social events

Professional funding

Job summary

DAC Beachcroft LLP is a leading law firm seeking a Paralegal to join our Criminal Motor Defence team in the UK. The role focuses on representing drivers in serious motoring offences and supporting counsel in police stations, magistrates’ and crown court proceedings.

You will manage a varied caseload, assist with statements, witness interviews, and reporting to insurer clients, while maintaining strict quality and financial controls and developing legal knowledge across related firm services.

Qualifications

• Experience in criminal litigation (police station accredited) and at least 2 years in criminal matters.
• Strong communication skills and ability to handle sensitive cases involving drivers in serious road traffic incidents.
• Able to manage workloads, meet KPIs and work within client-familiar protocols.

Responsibilities

• Provide police station representation for drivers under investigation for serious and fatal offences.
• Attend Magistrates' Court and Crown Court with counsel to assist clients.
• Attend coroner's court for inquests related to fatal road traffic collisions.
• Analyse evidence, conduct police interviews, briefing counsel, and drafting statements.
• Manage own caseload finances and regular billing, meeting fee income targets.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with firm protocols on data security.

Skills

Criminal litigation

Police station accreditation

Client management

Education

Qualified paralegal or equivalent experience

Job description

Paralegal - Criminal Motor Defence

Department: CSG - Strategic (Advocacy / Costs / Safety, Health and Environment / Criminal / Abuse / Travel)

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Remote - England and Wales

Description

We are looking for a paralegal to join our Criminal Motor Defence team which is a recognised market leader in the criminal representation of drivers involved in serious motoring offences. Clients range from professional drivers to individual motorists.

What you will do?

• Provide police station representation to drivers who are under police investigation for serious and fatal road traffic offences;
• Attend the Magistrates' Court and Crown Court with counsel to assist counsel and your client in respect of criminal proceedings;
• Attend the coroner's court with counsel in relation to inquests related to fatal road traffic collisions;
• Day to day responsibilities will include analysing and advising upon evidence, attending police interviews, briefing counsel, reporting to insurer clients, interviewing witnesses and drafting witness statements;
• Responsible for financial management of own caseload, to include regular billing;
• Working to productivity and fee income targets, as well as client Key Performance Indicators (KPIs);
• Handle a varied workload in accordance with client protocols;
• Act as a point of contact for clients, demonstrating a level of knowledge and skill commensurate with experience;
• Exercise full compliance with DAC Beachcroft protocols on billing and credit control and demonstrate a high level of financial management in respect of own files;
• Build an awareness of the Firm's other services. Build effective internal and external networks;
• Maintain an awareness of the firm's strategies and plans;
• Maintain and develop technical knowledge and handle confidential information in line with the firms data security protocols.

Who you are

• Experienced and knowledgeable lawyer- police station accredited and with at least 2 years’ experience gained in criminal litigation.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to deal appropriately and sensitively with drivers involved in serious and fatal road traffic accidents.
• Meet and exceed budgetary requirements in terms of both time and fee income.
• Proactive and energetic with a tenacious approach to identifying issues and solving problems.
• Willingness to work out of hours where required to attend police stations.
• Ability to work to productivity and fee income targets, as well as client Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and adherence to strict quality working standards; and Team oriented. A collegiate approach to sharing knowledge and working with both senior and junior colleagues across different locations and practice groups is essential.
• Must have full driving licence and be prepared to travel.
• Demonstrates alignment with the Firm’s Cultural Principles (Clear, Creative, Determined and Supportive).

What's in it for you?

• High levels of flexibility and a great work life balance - https://www.dacbeachcroft.com/en/Work-with-us/Whats-in-it-for-you
• A well-rounded remuneration package (which includes private medical insurance, income protection insurance and discounted gym membership, amongst many other benefits)
• Opportunities for growth and progression including professional funding
• In person and remote social events
• Opportunity to get involved in a range of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, which aligns closely to our cultural principles (Determined, Clear, Creative and Supportive). If you are excited about this role and being part of our culture, but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!