Senior Legal Officer

CRA Legal; Manchester; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

CRA Consulting is recruiting a Senior Legal Officer / Paralegal to join the Children & Families Legal team in Manchester on an initial 3-month locum contract with potential extension.

You will support a busy Local Authority service, handling a broad range of public and private law matters affecting children and families, working with Principal and Senior lawyers and the wider team.

Qualifications

• Experience in Local Authority legal matters.
• Experience as Paralegal or Legal Officer or similar role.
• Knowledge of children proceedings (public and private law).
• Strong drafting, research and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and progress a caseload of children and families work.
• Provide legal advice on children and families matters.
• Assist with public and private law proceedings.
• Draft legal documents, correspondence and case files.
• Conduct legal research and stay updated with relevant law.

Skills

Local Authority experience

Paralegal experience

Children & Families law

Legal drafting

Education

CILEX Level 3 Diploma (desirable)

Job description

Senior Legal Officer / Paralegal - Children & Families
Location: Manchester
Rate: £16-£20 per hour
Contract: 3 months initially, with potential to extend
Hours: Full-time
Sector: Local Authority

CRA Consulting are currently recruiting for a Senior Legal Officer / Paralegal to join the Children & Families Legal team of a Manchester-based Local Authority on an initial 3-month locum contract, with the potential for extension.
This is an excellent opportunity for a Legal Officer or Paralegal looking to secure a role within a busy Local Authority legal service, supporting the Council on a wide range of legal matters relating to children and families.
The successful candidate will work alongside Principal Lawyers, Senior Lawyers and the wider legal team, assisting with a varied caseload and providing legal support across both public and private law matters, including work taking place before and after proceedings.

Key responsibilities:

• Managing and progressing an individual caseload of children and families legal work
• Providing legal support and advice in relation to children and families matters
• Assisting with public and private law proceedings
• Preparing and drafting legal documentation, correspondence and case-related documents
• Conducting legal research and keeping up to date with relevant legislation, regulations and guidance
• Preparing briefs and instructions for advocates and external Counsel
• Maintaining accurate and well-organised case files
• Working closely with social workers, solicitors, Counsel, Courts and other external stakeholders
• Supporting the wider Children & Families Legal team with complex and sensitive matters
• Working to tight deadlines and ensuring compliance with relevant procedures and quality standards
• Assisting with the general running and efficiency of the legal service

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous Local Authority legal experience
• Experience working as a Paralegal, Legal Officer or in a similar legal support position
• Experience within Children & Families / Childcare law
• Knowledge of public and private law children proceedings
• Strong legal drafting, research and analytical skills
• Excellent organisation and case management abilities
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and work to demanding deadlines
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a range of stakeholders
• CILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law or an equivalent legal qualification is desirable

This is a great opportunity to gain further experience within a well-established Local Authority legal team, with the initial contract running for 3 months and the potential for extension.