Criminal Paralegal

We are looking for a talented individual to join our award-winning criminal team as a paralegal/police station representative. A genuine desire to work within criminal defence is essential.  Experience in working in criminal law would be advantageous but not essential as full training will be given together with genuine opportunities for progression.  Having obtained or be working towards police station accreditation would be desirable.

We as a firm are naturally agile and the role will require supporting colleagues across all our offices but the main base will be the Warrington Office.

Bell Lamb & Joynson have been at our client's side since 1821, representing individuals in many high-profile and leading cases over the years. We are in the top 15% by volume of legal aid firms, representing clients the length and breadth of England & Wales.   Our team is currently the Liverpool Law Society Criminal Law award winners and we are in the top 5 nationally on review solicitors for criminal defence.

There are genuine progression opportunities as we are strong advocates of investing in our people.

Runcorn, following the opening of the new Mersey gateway bridge has excellent transport links with Merseyside and Cheshire.  Our Runcorn office is a modern open plan office located next to The Shopping City with free parking and a large selection of shopping and leisure facilities upon its doorstep and has a large footfall. Our Liverpool office is based near to Aintree the home of the Grand National and is a long-established office (over 40 years) and has free on street parking and is a 2-minute walk from Orrell Park train station on the Northern Line a few stops from Liverpool City Centre. In the last 18 months it has been fully refurbished and had air conditioning installed.     The Warrington office is in an ideal location on a busy high street in the town centre.  It has also been fully modernised and recently refurbished including the provision of Air Conditioning.  Our newest office in Maghull is in a thriving high street area with high footfall.  Bell Lamb & Joynson utilises modern saas cloud-based systems and shares back-office support across our office network.

Bell Lamb & Joynson utilises modern SaaS cloud-based systems and shares back-office support across our office network.  Our entire criminal department is 100% paperless and has been for several years.

Job Title: Criminal Paralegal/Police Station Representative.

Reports to: Head of Department

Key Responsibilities:

Advising Suspects in the police station or working towards obtaining police station accreditation.

Assisting the team in progressing client matters, taking instructions, considering evidence and proactive preparation of criminal cases.

Working with in-house HCA’s and external counsel in the preparation of Crown Court Matters.

Skills knowledge and experience:

Why Work for Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors?

• Bell Lamb & Joynson was established in 1821 and we are one of the region's oldest law firms and have offices across North Cheshire and Merseyside. We have over 200  years in practice.
• Despite our age, we are a forward-thinking firm which has invested heavily in both IT and staff with clear opportunities for advancement and training within the firm.   We have clear opportunities for development and progression.
• We are committed to Legal Aid and Criminal Defence with 60% of the partners working exclusively in legal aid.  Our Managing Partner is on the committee of the Criminal Law Solicitors Association.  At the same time, we have strong and award-winning departments in other areas giving the firm the flexibility and agility of not being hampered by being reliant on legal aid income.
• We are the number 1 rated firm by review solicitors, based on independent client feedback for criminal defence in Merseyside and North Cheshire and we in the top 5 rated firms nationally.
• We are market-leading in terms of the technology we deploy and regularly beta-test software from leading software providers.
• Bell Lamb & Joynson are enjoying a period of sustained growth and are one of the fastest-growing traditional high-street firms in the area.
• Supportive and friendly culture
• Our criminal department is award-winning.
• The salary bracket is £22,000 to £24,000 depending upon experience.  If police station accredited the Salary bracket is £28,000 to £30,000. Regular opportunities for overtime from out-of-hours Police Station Representation.
• Staff Rewards Scheme via perk box (or whatever scheme is in operation from time to time)  – offering discounts on leisure, shopping, and free services such as wellbeing and support.   Additional rewards and team-building opportunities as part of the firm's recognition culture.
• Up to 28 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Discounted legal services for colleagues, friends and family.
• Agile and flexible working.
• Death in Service Benefit after 1 year couple with 24/7 GP access.
• Pension Plan

Closing date for applications is Friday the 20th of September 2024 at 23:59hrs.

To Apply please complete the following online application form making sure you upload a copy of your CV here.

Or Scan the QR Code to begin the application.