Job Opportunity: As and When UCL iLAC Paralegal

Job Title:                     UCL iLAC Paralegal

Project:                        UCL Centre for Access to Justice

Available:                     Immediately

Responsible to:           CAJ Head of Legal Practice

Remuneration:             £14.64 p/h (G5, SP 20)

Hours:                         Flexible  

Application Deadline: 09 February 2019, 4pm.

Purpose and Scope:

The UCL Centre for Access to Justice is committed to fostering a commitment to social justice in our students and inspiring the next generation of public interest lawyers.

To this end, the CAJ is recruiting a paralegal to assist the solicitors and advisers with casework at the UCL Integrated Legal Advice Clinic (UCL iLAC).

The paralegal will be responsible for a wide range of tasks that will develop their client handling, project management, communication and legal casework skills.

This post is ideal for law graduates considering pursuing a career in the social welfare legal sector. 

The Role and Responsibilities:

1. Assist UCL iLAC advisers with clinic casework arising out of clinic advice sessions including drafting letters on behalf of clients, contacting third parties by letter and/or telephone, preparing written submissions and where appropriate provide oral representation in Social Security Tribunal hearing.
2. Conduct supervised advice sessions on welfare benefits, housing, and community care issues to assess clients’ legal problems and desired outcomes.
3. Maintain up to date casework files through excellent file management practices.
4. Conduct legal research to assist UCL iLAC advisers with casework-related research.
5. Assist with the general administration of UCL iLAC including drafting client care letters, conducting file review telephone calls, drafting closing letters, and ensuring case outcomes are properly recorded.
6. Assist with managing the UCL iLAC reception and phone line in the absence of the UCL ilAC clinic administrator, including being the first point of contact for clients seeking legal advice, booking appointments, ascertaining the nature of the problem, and new client intake.
7. Assist with supervising and supporting students who volunteer at UCL iLAC.
8. Assist with other tasks as may be reasonably requested.

Selection Criteria:

Essential:

1. An LLB degree, 2:1 or above
2. Experience of social welfare law casework in a pro bono clinic, CAB, law centre, or equivalent.
3. An interest in and a commitment to social justice issues.
4. Reliability and commitment.
5. Excellent written and verbal communications skills with the proven ability to communicate non-routine matters clearly, both verbally and in writing.
6. Experience of organising your own work within deadlines and with competing demands.
7. Demonstrable experience of being able to work effectively both independently, and collaboratively as part of a team.
8. Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
9. Excellent organisational skills.
10. Excellent IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), databases, email, social media.
11. Willingness and ability to be flexible, open minded, and non-judgmental regarding Clinic clients and their problems.
12. Available to work outside ‘normal’ office hours, including attendance at evening and weekend events.
13. Committed to your own ongoing professional and personal development.
14. Committed to maintaining the confidentiality of client data and other sensitive information.

Desirable 

1. Knowledge or appreciation of access to justice issues in a UK context.

How to Apply:

You must have the right to work in the United Kingdom.

To apply please submit a CV to s.riahi@ucl.ac.uk   

Application Deadline: 09 February 2019, 4pm.