Paralegal London, England
Job description
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About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
In May 2021, the Prime Minister made a statement in the House of Commons that the Government will establish an independent public inquiry on a statutory basis, with full powers under the Inquiries Act of 2005.
In December 2021 Baroness Heather Hallett DBE was appointed as Chair to the Inquiry and following an initial set up phase we are now looking for exceptional staff to join the Inquiry team.
The Inquiry are seeking EO Paralegals who will support the Solicitor to the Inquiry’s work of preparing for and delivering public hearings.
The Inquiry sits independent of the Government with the Cabinet office acting as the sponsoring department.
This is an exciting opportunity to join an inclusive, innovative team where you will be supported to challenge yourself in often ambiguous circumstances. The team encourages working in a flexible, collaborative manner to learn and support each other as we look to undertake one of the broadest, most publicly anticipated inquiries in UK history.
Conflicts of Interest
Please note that candidates invited to interview will be invited to declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interests which could affect the independence of the Inquiry, in confidence, to the senior recruiting manager. This may include current or prior work undertaken on the COVID-19 pandemic response. Decisions on any potential conflict of interest will be made before an appointment to the role is confirmed.
Job description
The legal team which comprises Counsel and Solicitor to the Inquiry is an integral part of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, providing advice to the Chair and secretariat to support the effective delivery of the Inquiry. The Paralegal team will support the Solicitor to the Inquiry and his team to deliver their work to fulfil the Inquiry’s terms of reference.
Working to the SEO Paralegal Manager and HEO Lead Paralegal, the EO Paralegal will work closely with the Solicitors team in the receipt, review, redaction and disclosure of material to Core Participants to the Inquiry. The EO Paralegal will also work collaboratively with paralegal colleagues and provide assistance to the Solicitor and Counsel teams during the preparation and delivery of substantive hearings.
The jobholder’s responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
- Use the Inquiry’s electronic document management system (EMS) to review documents provided to the Inquiry by Material Providers (MPs);
- Populate with consistency and accuracy document description and metadata coding requirements on the EMS;
- Assess documents for relevance in accordance with guidance;
- Redact documents with accuracy and attention to detail in accordance with the Inquiry’s redaction protocols, including identifying and redacting information that constitutes personal data within the meaning of the Data Protection Act 1998;
- Collaborate and proactively raise concerns or queries in regular paralegal team discussions;
- Assist the Solicitor and Counsel teams prior to oral hearings, including preparing hearing bundles;
- Attend the hearing centre and be prepared to work outside core hours prior to and during busy hearing periods;
- Ensure excellent information management practices are adhered to at all times.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
The jobholder must demonstrate the following essential criteria in their application job history. The panel will initially shortlist based on demonstration of these essential criteria in the job history alone.
- First degree at 2:1 or above
- Experience of working in a legal environment (6 months minimum) or law clinic placement (3 months minimum)
- Law degree or GDL
Desirable Criteria
- Previous experience working on a public inquiry or other similar large scale inquiry or investigation
- Experience working with electronic document management systems (EMS) - please specify which EMS you have used before in your application
- Strong administrative skills
Qualifications
- First degree at 2:1 or above
- Law degree or GDL
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Redaction Exercise
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application process
As part of the application process you will need to submit:
- A name blind CV
- A 250-word Statement on the listed behaviours
During the sifting process we’ll use the information in your CV to assess your experience and skills against the criteria for this role. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead behaviour, ‘Managing a Quality Service’.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
If you’re successful at sift, you will progress to an interview. During the interview process we will assess your Technical Skills with a redaction exercise, and your behaviours.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – w/c 17th April 2023 and w/c 24th April 2023
Expected interview date/s – w/c 8th May 2023
At the Inquiry we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues; an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we are seeking to Serve.
Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role. The team encourages working in flexible and collaborative ways to learn and support each other.
Reasonable adjustments
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Further information
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.
Please note that this role requires CTC clearance, which would normally need 3 years UK residency in the past 3 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team :
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at [email protected]. For further information on the Recruitment Principles. and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.
