Paralegal - Personal Injury

JMW SOLICITORS LLP; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

JMW Solicitors seeks a Paralegal to support a newly established Police Federation personal injury team. You will assist with a busy caseload involving injuries and negligence, drafting documents, preparing instructions to experts, and maintaining meticulous files throughout the matter lifecycle.

You will work closely with qualified fee earners, gain experience in complex and high-profile human rights-related matters, and benefit from structured training within a growing team.

Qualifications

• Understanding of personal injury practice and civil procedure rules.
• Experience with sensitive claimant matters is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Deliver client-focused service in line with legislation and internal procedures.

Skills

Legal research

Court procedures

Witness statements

Client communication

Case management

Attention to detail

Time management

Empathy

Team collaboration

IT literacy

Discretion

Professional boundaries

Tools

Proclaim

Word

Excel

Outlook

Copilot

Job description

A unique opportunity to join and support a newly established JMW team of personal injury solicitors acting primarily on behalf of members of the Police Federation of England and Wales.

This role will assist the team with a busy caseload of sensitive claimant matters involving injuries and accidents for police officers both on and off duty, including claims involving serious physical or psychiatric injury, abuse, and negligence.

Working closely with our qualified fee earners, the Paralegal will undertake a range of legal, administrative and case-management tasks to ensure matters progress efficiently and files are maintained to a high standard of accuracy and client care.

This role offers you an opportunity to gain experience in complex, high-profile and human rights-related matters, supported by structured training and professional development within a growing team.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver a timely, efficient and client-focused service in accordance with relevant legislation, regulatory requirements and internal procedures.
• Support fee earners with primarily Police Federation personal injury claims, including sensitive matters involving serious physical or psychiatric injury, abuse and negligence.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, witnesses, experts, counsel and colleagues, demonstrating empathy and sensitivity, while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Draft statements, correspondence, file notes, instructions, client updates and other legal documents to a consistently high standard.
• Prepare instructions to medical experts and counsel and assist in obtaining expert opinions on the merits and viability of claims.
• Prepare court documents, disclosure documentation and hearing bundles accurately and within required deadlines.
• Review and analyse medical records, expert reports and evidence, and undertake legal research on issues relating to liability, quantum, procedure and human rights.
• Manage an agreed pre-litigation caseload efficiently and profitably, with appropriate support and supervision.
• Proactively progress allocated tasks, effectively managing competing priorities and communicating promptly regarding deadlines, risks and potential issues.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date physical and electronic files throughout the matter lifecycle, including billing, disbursements, time recording and archiving.
• Assist with reporting to the Police Federation on matters and requesting authority to undertake work and incur disbursements.
• Work towards agreed chargeable-hours and billing expectations.
• Comply with the SRA Accounts Rules and JMW’s policies and procedures.
• Participate in departmental training, development activities and meetings, taking on additional responsibilities as your knowledge and experience develops.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• A sound understanding of the legal profession and the principles and practices relevant to personal injury work.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate sensitively and empathetically while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Resilience and sound judgement when handling sensitive or potentially distressing subject matter.
• The ability to work at pace, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines without compromising quality or accuracy of work.
• A proactive approach, demonstrating initiative and confidence in communicating promptly about progress, deadlines, risks and potential issues.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to produce accurate, high-quality legal documentation.
• A personable and collaborative approach, with strong interpersonal and team-working skills.
• Excellent IT skills, particularly in Word, Excel, Outlook and Copilot (and other AI assisted tools).
• Previous work experience in personal injury law or a related claimant practice area will be advantageous.
• Experience of, or an understanding of working with a union or akin to union type client (i.e. the Police Federation of England and Wales, its role and the support it provides.)
• Knowledge of the Civil Procedure Rules.
• Experience of taking witness statements, preparing disclosure and supporting litigation processes.
• Experience using the Proclaim case management system.

About JMW Solicitors

An award-winning, full-service law firm offering straight-talking advice that delivers positive outcomes with a commercial edge. We have a well-deserved reputation for excellence and entrepreneurship. We take care of our clients, and our people. What do we do? We do the right thing. Our firm, and the individuals working within it, are recognised by the prestigious legal directories Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners and we regularly win awards for our work. We have three offices: our head office in Manchester, a full-service office in London and one of our specialist family law teams based in Liverpool. We are proud of our northern heritage, and work closely with a wide variety of charities and fund-raising initiatives so as to give back to our local community.

QWE

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