Paralegal - Regulatory

FQPS Academy Ltd.; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Capsticks is seeking a proactive paralegal to support fitness to practise investigations in Leeds or Manchester. You will manage your own caseload under lawyer supervision and receive training through bespoke programmes and access to training contracts.

The role offers supervision, support and opportunities to develop early legal credentials within a leading regulatory practice.

Qualifications

• 2:1 undergraduate law degree or equivalent.
• Ability to adhere to strict deadlines and work to a chargeable hours target.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with strong organisational skills.
• LPC or BVC qualification is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct witness interviews and draft witness statements.
• Draft instructions to counsel and experts.
• Assist lawyers to draft advice on evidence, case prospects and progression.
• Evidence reviews and bundle preparation, including identifying material.
• Support stakeholders through the fitness to practise process.
• Liaise with clients, witnesses, experts and counsel.
• Manage own caseload and meet deadlines.
• Draft general correspondence and legal documents.
• Attend conferences and hearings.
• Undertake research.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Confident and person-centred approach

Education

2:1 undergraduate law degree or equivalent

LPC or BVC qualification (desirable)

Job description

Annual salary: Competitive Salary & Benefits

Location - Leeds or Manchester

The Division

The overarching objective of any regulatory body is to protect the public. When a complaint is made against a regulated professional the relevant regulatory body is responsible for conducting an investigation into the allegations. If necessary, the case is then heard by panel of adjudicators, who determine whether the individual can meet their professional standards i.e. assessing their fitness to practice.

Our Clients trust us to conduct fitness to practice investigations on their behalf. We have handled thousands of regulatory cases over the last 20 years, covering case investigation, preparation and presentation. We have worked on some of the most complex and high profile cases faced by regulatory bodies, and we are proud to be the firm of choice for organisations who work to make a difference.

The Role and Responsibilities

Our paralegals play an integral part of the fitness to practise investigations that we conduct, managing their own caseload under the supervision of a lawyer. The role includes a high level of responsibility and exposure to the legal process and is an excellent opportunity for someone wanting to kick start their legal career.

Supervision, support and relevant training will be provided although the successful applicant will also be encouraged, where appropriate, to use their own initiative and demonstrate a positive, can do approach to their work. Paralegals are encouraged and supported to continue their early careers development with the firm through our bespoke training programmes and exclusive access to our training contracts.

The main role and responsibilities may include some or all of the following (although, this is not an exhaustive list):-

• Conducting witness interviews and drafting witness statements


• Drafting instructions to counsel and experts


• Assisting lawyers to draft advice to the client on evidence, case prospects and case progression


• Evidence reviews and bundle preparation, including identifying disclosable and unused material


• Supporting stakeholders through the fitness to practise process, including supporting vulnerable witnesses and those with additional support needs


• Liaising with clients, witnesses, experts, counsel and other stakeholders


• Managing your own caseload and effectively meeting any internal and external deadlines


• Drafting general correspondence and legal documents


• Attending conferences and hearings


• Undertaking research

Skills and Experience

Candidates should have:

• At least a 2:1 undergraduate law degree or equivalent


• The ability to adhere to and manage strict deadlines and work to a chargeable hours target


• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing alongside strong organizational skills with a high attention to detail


• Confidence and a person centred approach;


• An LPC or BVC qualification (desirable, but not essential)


• At least 6 months experience in a professional environment (desirable, but not essential)

Interview Process:

• The first stage will either be a 20 minute telephone interview or we will ask you to complete an online video screening which will involve recording your answers to some role related questions.


• The second stage will be an online team’s interview, which can last up to 1 hour. After your interview, you will be asked to complete a role related test. This can last up to 45 minutes. Please ensure that you have enough time to complete the test when booking in for an interview.


• We will aim to deliver outcomes within 2 weeks following the completion of your interview.

Capsticks is an inclusive employer

At Capsticks we value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment where everyone is able to be themselves and reach their full potential. Capsticks is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and therefore we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, background, culture, ethnicity, race, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, neurodiversity, religion and beliefs.

We will make reasonable adjustments to our application and interview process to ensure that you have the best chance of success. We understand that there's not a \"one size fits all\" approach to adjustments so our team will work with you individually to understand more about your requirements.

QWE

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 £149.