Opportunity
Employer description:
Life at Irwin Mitchell
You’ll feel part of a welcoming, inclusive environment where your individuality matters. We celebrate what makes you unique and support you to thrive. Together, we achieve incredible things and make a real difference to our clients and communities.
Your Role
An exciting opportunity to join one of the largest national law firms in the UK. You will be supporting the Court of Protection Team and managing large medical negligence or Personal Injury damages awards in order to meet the client’s needs. We help clients who are responsible for managing someone else’s affairs, those who are concerned about the ability of someone else to manage their own affairs or another person’s affairs and clients who may be concerned about their own ability to manage their affairs.
Paralegal apprentices support solicitors with the day-to-day management of the client files.
Your main responsibilities within the department will include the following:
Maintain accurate case records and update internal systems assisting with the management of client finances under the supervision of the deputy which would include; paying invoices, purchasing equipment, setting up new bank accounts and standing orders, assisting with the management of household utilities, preparing spreadsheets, taking notes during client meeting.
Liaising with case managers and other fee earners within the business regarding client issues that arise on
Attend and contribute to team/practice area meetings and comply with directions/decisions made to ensure team objectives achieved.
You will need to become familiar with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and will work with clients who may have suffered brain injury as a result of medical negligence or accidents. You will also need to keep up to date with changes in relevant law and practice and attend appropriate training events as and when required.
Communicating with clients, other firms of solicitors and third parties by telephone or in writing including taking client instructions and providing case updates when appropriate.
Achieve time recording and fee income targets to ensure profitable working.
Ensuring compliance with the firm’s policies and procedures.
Conducting legal research as requested by members of the team.
You may sometimes be required to complete relevant administration duties including photocopying, scanning documents, amending documentation, filing, archiving and file maintenance.
You will be expected to be predominantly office based during the first 6 months of your apprenticeship to support your learning within this division.
Our Apprenticeship
Who is it for?
This is a 24-month apprenticeship perfect for anyone who wants to gain hands-on legal experience at the UK’s largest full-service law firm.
This apprenticeship is a great alternative to university, as it gives you the chance to earn while you learn. It also helps you to work towards the Level 3 paralegal apprenticeship, helping to develop your career from day one.
What will I study?
The academic part of the apprenticeship is delivered by our apprenticeship training provider BPP via distance learning. The modules you study will link to the client service area in which you undertake your apprenticeship.
View more information on what you’ll study and the work you’ll do as part of your apprenticeship on the BPP website here Paralegal Apprenticeship | Courses | BPP.
https://www.bpp.com/courses/law/apprenticeships/paralegal-apprenticeship
What qualification will I gain?
When you finish this apprenticeship, you will be a qualified paralegal in your area of practice and you will also gain a Certificate of Higher Education (Law and Legal Practice).
Why Work With Us
Our Benefits:
- 25 days holidays as standard plus bank holidays - You can ‘buy’ up to 35hrs of extra holiday too.
- Generous and flexible pension schemes.
- Volunteering days – Two days of volunteering every year for a cause of your choice (fully paid)
- Westfield Health membership, offering refunds on medical services alongside our Aviva Digital GP services.
- ?We also offer a wide range of well-being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace and to make sure you’re fully supported.?
Recognition You Can Be Proud Of:
- Best Workplaces for Wellbeing – Large Organisations 2024
- Great Place to Work – 5 years running
- Sunday Times Best Place to Work 2025
A Culture of Inclusion:
- Disability Confident Level 3 Leader
- Colleague led inclusion networks across the business
Responsible Business:
- Programmes that reflect our purpose and values
- Our commitment to Social Responsibility, community investment activity and tackling climate change is a fundamental part of who we are. It’s made up of four strands: Our People, Our Community, Our Environment and Our Pro Bono.
Location
- A strong desire to work within in a legal environment
- Discretion and ability to work in a confidential environment, dealing with sensitive and confidential situations
- appropriately
- Friendly
- Reliable
- Confident
- Resilient
- Ability to work well in a business environment
- Ability to work at speed whilst maintaining accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to be flexible to suit the needs of the department
- Ability to work as an effective team member
- Ability to work under close supervision and also be able to work under your own initiative
- Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
