Eventus Legal are seeking an experienced Criminal Paralegal to join a specialist criminal defence practice in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. This full-time, permanent job is office-based and offers a competitive salary of £30,000 - £35,000 DOE plus 25 days annual leave, workplace pension scheme, paid training and professional development, paid professional memberships or accreditation renewal fees, time off in lieu of additional hours worked and reimbursement of travel expenses and free parking. You will manage a varied caseload, including Crown Court matters, with appropriate supervision from an experienced team member and opportunities to develop your expertise and progress your legal career.

Job Responsibilities

As a Criminal Paralegal, you will progress criminal defence matters from initial instruction through to conclusion, keeping clients informed throughout. Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing criminal defence files with appropriate supervision, including preparing and progressing your own Crown Court caseload
• Taking client instructions and providing clear, sensitive and professional communication throughout each matter
• Reviewing police disclosure, witness statements, exhibits and body-worn video footage
• Preparing correspondence, applications, case summaries and instructions to counsel, and supporting solicitors with hearing and trial preparation
• Liaising with police, courts, counsel, experts and other relevant agencies
• Attending police stations to assist clients where appropriately accredited
• Drafting and submitting legal aid applications
• Maintaining accurate electronic case records and meeting deadlines, court directions and case management requirements

Person Specification

You will be an experienced Criminal Paralegal with a background in criminal defence practice and a good working knowledge of criminal procedure and the criminal justice system. You should also be able to demonstrate the following:

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands under pressure
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with a confident and professional approach to clients and other professionals
• Close attention to detail and the ability to work independently while contributing positively to the team
• Flexibility to meet the demands of criminal defence work, including occasional out-of-hours requirements
• Police Station Accreditation and experience assisting clients in custody are highly desirable, particularly the ability to attend police stations independently
• Legal aid criminal defence experience and familiarity with Magistrates' Court and Crown Court proceedings are desirable
• Experience using digital case management systems and electronic bundles is desirable
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to police stations and courts where required are desirable

Benefits and Rewards

This Criminal Paralegal job offers the opportunity to develop your career within a supportive and experienced criminal defence team. The successful Criminal Paralegal will also benefit from:

• Salary between £30,000 - £35,000 based on experience
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Workplace pension scheme
• Funded Police Station Accreditation
• Paid training and professional development
• Paid professional memberships or accreditation renewal fees
• Time off in lieu of additional hours worked and reimbursement of travel expenses
• Free parking
• Opportunities to develop your criminal law expertise and progress your legal career
• Full-time, permanent employment with office-based working, Monday to Friday, with flexibility and occasional out-of-hours work required

About the Law Firm

Our client is a specialist criminal defence law firm holding the Specialist Quality Mark, with a practice covering general and serious crime, fraud, road traffic offences and regulatory matters. The firm supports clients throughout the criminal justice process, providing advice and representation from initial police station attendance through to Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court proceedings. You will join a busy, supportive team of experienced criminal law professionals, working on a varied caseload that offers scope to deepen your specialist knowledge and strengthen your case preparation skills. With appropriate supervision and experienced colleagues to work alongside, this opportunity will allow you to build on your existing criminal defence experience, develop your confidence in managing complex matters and progress your legal career.

If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact me at the details above for a confidential discussion on your career.

The Eventus Recruitment Group are award-winning recruitment specialists operating in the Legal, Finance and Financial Planning sectors across the UK. Please note, the years' experience and/or salary are listed in our advertisements as a guide. We are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role. As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Our privacy policy can be found on the bottom of our website.