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Form of work
SalaryJob Introduction
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated, and hardworking individual to join our Litigation team as a Paralegal.
You’ll be part of our dynamic and innovative in-house Legal Services team which offers clear, high-quality and pragmatic advice to city council services on topics including contracts and procurement, child protection, major development projects, criminal prosecution and much more.
Your primary duties will include assisting our lawyers to prepare advanced disclosure and court bundles for criminal matters, drafting court applications, pleadings and witness statements as well as liaising with legal colleagues, professionals and undertaking legal research. There is also an opportunity for advocacy for the successful candidate if desired.
This role is ideal for someone starting their legal career or someone with experience.
Main Responsibility
- Assist the Principal and lawyers in respect of drafting court applications.
- Preparing advanced disclosure in respect of criminal prosecutions.
- Undertaking legal research for the lawyers which may involve a number of legal areas.
- Liaise with other departments and third parties.
- Attend court to assist the lawyers.
The Ideal Candidate
- This post is a fantastic opportunity to join an exciting and innovative legal team and to potentially progress your legal career.
- A law degree and/or equivalent experience working as paralegal.
- Able to work towards strict deadlines.
- Experience of drafting court applications and witness statements.
- Excellent organisational skills to ensure the court diary and court directions have been complied with.
- Experience of undertaking legal research and can provide advice in clear and jargon free language.
- Willing to undertake training in specific areas of law.
- Experience of attending court.
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
