Paralegal - Family Team

Family Paralegal | Aldgate, City & Northcote Road, Clapham

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Family Paralegal to join Laurus working from both our office in the City and in Clapham.

Our Paralegals make our specialist teams tick. You'll be part of one of London's most highly regarded Family teams.  We handle complex matters involving divorce and separation ,  children ,  finances  and international family cases with care and expertise.

Helping our teams deliver Legal Wellbeing is a vital part of the role. You'll be working directly with clients, and your interactions are key to our continued success and growth.

About the role

You will have solid experience of Family Law and be comfortable working in a busy and collaborative department, demonstrating dedication to your work and a commitment to delivering a high standard of service.

You will support the Family team's solicitors and partners in delivering a high-quality, client-focused service across a caseload that includes divorce and financial remedy, private children matters, and cohabitation disputes, amongst other matters.

You should be dedicated to providing outstanding client service, ensuring that the work that you perform on files is commensurate with the standards that clients demand and expect to receive from a high-quality firm of solicitors.

You should have excellent attention to detail, dealing with the meticulous checking of documents, and making sure details are correct across files, reports and cases.

We are looking for like-minded people to help us evolve our business and enhance our reputation, and yours. We believe in modern working practices, embracing technology to work flexibly and in an agile way, inside and outside of our offices.

Key responsibilities

- Assist fee earners with the day-to-day running of files, from initial instruction through to conclusion, under appropriate supervision.

- Draft court forms, applications and correspondence, including Form A, Form E, C100 and related documents, for review by the supervising solicitor and/or Partner.

- Prepare and collate financial disclosure, including schedules of assets, chronologies and questionnaires.

- Prepare, paginate and index court bundles in line with Family Procedure Rules and Practice Direction 27A, and any relevant court directions.

- Liaise with clients in an empathetic way, and correspond with courts, opposing solicitors, Cafcass, counsel and other third parties professionally.

- Attend client meetings and court hearings to take attendance notes and support fee earners.

- Carry out legal research and summarise findings on points of Family Law and procedure.

- Assisting with client onboarding, including preparing client care letters, and carrying out conflict checks, AML/ID verification and the opening of new matters.

- Keep case management systems accurate and up to date and record time in line with firm policy.

- Manage key dates, deadlines and diary entries to ensure court directions are complied with.

- Handle sensitive and confidential information in line with UK GDPR and the firm's data protection policies.

- Recognise safeguarding or domestic abuse concerns and escalate them promptly to the supervising solicitor.

Skills and experience

- A law degree, GDL/PGDL, or CILEx qualification (or working towards one); SQE candidates are welcome. Preferably, you will have performed a Family Law module or elective.

- Previous experience in a family law or litigation environment is desirable.

- Excellent written and verbal communication, with strong attention to detail.

- Well-developed organisational skills and the ability to manage competing deadlines.

- Sensitivity and emotional resilience when supporting clients through difficult personal circumstances.

- Discretion and a clear understanding of client confidentiality.

- IT proficiency, including Microsoft Office (including Word and Excel). Preferably, you should have some familiarity with Microsoft Teams, Microsoft SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat, and case management systems.

- Ideally, excellent touch-typing skills with the ability to type quickly and accurately, maintaining a high standard of accuracy and attention to detail.

Personal attributes

- Ambitious and eager to go above-and-beyond to deliver an exceptional service to clients.

- Calm and professional under pressure.

- Punctual and well organised, with good time-keeping skills.

- Well-attuned to dealing with the complex and sensitive nature of Family Law, demonstrating empathy, objectivity and a non-judgemental approach when dealing with challenging circumstances.

- Client-focused, with an ability to establish a healthy rapport with clients while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

- Proactive, with a willingness to learn and develop within the team.

- A collaborative team player.

About Laurus

Ranked in the Legal 500 and listed in Chambers & Partners, Laurus has rapidly garnered a reputation for legal excellence and top-notch service.

At Laurus, we prioritise our people, ensuring our clients are at the heart of everything we do, and nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit that propels us forward.

Our Family Department places a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. The department structure is designed to foster a supportive, good-humoured, and collegiate atmosphere, with an emphasis on learning and professional growth. We are looking for someone who will contribute positively to this environment.

We welcome applications from all diversity groups and backgrounds, and offer opportunities for growth, mentoring and professional development. We're committed to enabling everyone to thrive and understanding and celebrating our differences is a key part of that.