Paralegal (Family)

Forbes Solicitors; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Health care benefits

Professional development opportunities

Profit share scheme

Staff discounts

Job summary

Forbes Solicitors LLP is seeking a Paralegal to join the Family (Public Law) team at our Preston, Buckingham House office. The role is full-time (36.25 hours weekly) with potential hybrid working and a focus on legal aid family matters.

You will support Advisors, manage Legal Aid applications, draft documents, conduct legal research, and help progress client files in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high standards and good client communication.

Qualifications

• Law degree or CILEx qualification is essential.
• Strong attention to detail with proofreading skills.
• Ability to prioritise tasks, manage time and meet deadlines.
• Team player with good IT and communication skills.
• Interest in long-term development within the department.

Responsibilities

• Support Advisors through chargeable work to deliver client services.
• Manage Legal Aid applications and court portal documents.
• Draft and prepare legal documents with input from case data.
• Conduct legal research to support matter strategy.
• Provide informed advice under supervision and guide client files.
• Attend external meetings, hearings, and client meetings as needed.
• Maintain accurate records in the case management system.

Skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Team player

IT skills

Communication

Long-term development

Values alignment

Education

Law degree or CILEx

Tools

PfW

Job description

The Role

Forbes Solicitors LLP are seeking a Paralegal to join our Family (Public Law) team at our Preston, Buckingham House office. This role is full time, working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm, with the possibility of hybrid working.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a Legal Assistant/Paralegal that can bring their experience, skills and knowledge to the role or someone to start their career in Law and become part of a collaborative and professional team. While the role demands the fast pace, customer focus, and high standards of a law firm, it also ensures a sustainable work-life balance, reflecting the regional area it serves.

This role will support the Public Family Team, with exposure to a varied caseload of legal aid family matters.

As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for achieving successful outcomes such as:

• Provide effective and efficient support to Advisors through chargeable (legal based) work that contributes to the delivery and completion of services for clients (e.g. obtaining and reviewing evidence and statements, taking witness statements, preparing for court, collation of legal bundles).
• Ensure timely and efficient day-to-day progress of matters, prioritising work, monitoring deadlines and actions needed and keeping clients informed.
• Responsibility for managing Legal Aid applications and the electronic uploading and downloading of documents through court portals.
• Drafting and preparing legal documents that require further knowledge, consideration and input based on analysis and understanding of information gathered.
• Conduct thorough, accurate, and up-to-date legal research which supports the matter strategy.
• Provide well informed legal advice, under the supervision of a qualified legal professional, that resolves queries and advances clients’ instructions and cases.
• Assess and understand client queries and file notes to identify actions and advice required and manage and guide the progression of a client file.
• Attend external meetings and events including but not limited to hearings, court appearances, client meetings and networking events.
• Where applicable, assist in preparing for court proceedings and hearings, ensuring all necessary documentation and evidence are in place.
• Maintain accurate records in the case management system, ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational standards.
• Communicate regularly with clients and stakeholders, answering queries, managing expectations (including costs), providing updates and effectively chasing responses required and escalating appropriately.
• Perform administrative duties, including; writing articles and reports for internal and external publication, filing, billing, and organising matter files, to ensure smooth operational workflow.
• Stay updated on legal trends and participate in ongoing training to enhance skills and contribute to the firm's overall success.

The Person

We will be progressing applicants to the next stage based the role profile and on the candidate’s demonstrated knowledge, experience, and skills in:

Essential:

• Law Degree or other legal level 3/6 qualifications such as CILEx.
• Demonstrates good attention to detail, including proof-reading and editing skills to ensure accuracy and quality of legal documents.
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritise tasks, manage time effectively, and coordinate multiple activities simultaneously to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrates the ability to work as part of a team.
• Demonstrates excellent IT skills and the ability to use multiple platforms such as word, excel, outlook and other case management systems/databases.
• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with clients, colleagues, and external parties.
• Demonstrates an interest in long term development/progression in the department.
• Aligns with the Firm’s values.

Desirable

• Previous paralegal / legal assistant experience.
• Previous experience within Family Law and handling Legal Aid Family Matters.
• Familiarity with legal processes, terminology, and the operation of law firms.
• Experience using legal case management systems (e.g., PfW) to support the delivery of services.

The Firm

At Forbes Solicitors, we believe in creating a supportive and collaborative environment where our team members can thrive and develop themselves and others. We offer a comprehensive range of legal services and have offices across the North, with deep roots in Lancashire. Our team are known for its genuine, practical advice and passion for achieving the best results. We are real people who listen to each other and work together to deliver exceptional service.

We are proud to have been awarded Investors in People (IIP) Gold Accreditation and the Firm is ranked as a Legal 500 Top Tier Firm and a Chambers and Partners Leading Firm.

We are a values led Firm and are looking for people who embody our values: authenticity, striving for exceptional results, and unity in teamwork to join our award-winning Firm.

The Benefits

We are dedicated to supporting our people and offer a range of benefits, including:

• 33 days annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Annual leave purchase scheme (Subject to T&Cs).
• Enhanced family friendly policies and pay for Maternity, Paternity and Adoption.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Celebration and Volunteer leave.
• Ongoing professional development and progression opportunities;
• Profit share scheme.
• Additional long service awards.
• Subsidised tuck shops.
• Staff discount on Firm services.
• Health care benefits (Health Cash Back Plan and Mental Health Counselling Services).
• BUPA (Solicitor positions only, for self, not dependents).
• Retail and gym membership discounts.
• Recruitment and legal department referrals (Subject to T&Cs).
• Annual Events.

Forbes is an equal opportunities and disability-confident employer, accredited by Investors in People and ISO 9001 quality management systems. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment, service provision, and supplier engagement, and strive to maintain a workforce that reflects the local community.