Paralegal – People (3 posts)

Salary: Grade 5, £20,852- £23,484 per annum. £10.80 – £12.17 per hour

 3 positions x 37 hours per week

Closing Date 13th November 2022

Previous applicants need not apply.

Wigan is a great place to work and, as a local authority, we truly value and recognise our staff as our greatest asset.  We actively encourage innovation, strive to deliver outstanding services and celebrate our successes by our commitment to our ‘Be Wigan’ behaviours, Be Courageous, Be Accountable and Be Positive. Our Legal team is inventive in its approach, digitally enabled and encourage a blended working ethos with equipment provided, which ensures that our staff have a happy and healthy work life balance. We are proud to have won the prestigious Lawyers in Local Government Innovation Award 2021 for our strategy on digital innovation and virtual court hearings.

Your role:
As a Paralegal – People you will be part of a client focussed and outcomes driven legal and democratic function.
You will operate in the areas of law of including Children’s social care, Education, Adult social care, Health or Housing. You will work closely with client officers, Elected Members, partner organisations and other key stakeholders to assist them in the delivery of their service objectives and priorities.
You will co-work case with Lawyers and handle a legal caseload under supervision. You will need to be able to draft legal documents, engage in negotiations and prepare proceedings on behalf of the Council.
You will also be required to undertake legal research on behalf of colleagues, gather evidence and documentation and liaising with key stakeholders including external solicitors, barristers and courts.
About you:
You will need to have a degree in Law (2:2 or above) or the Level 3 CILEX Professional Diploma in law or significant experience of working in a busy legal environment working in the areas of law outlined above.
You will be able to operate in a pressurised and deadline driven environment and be able to provide legal advice to assist and guide clients when making decisions. You will co-work cases and handle a legal caseload under supervision drafting legal documentation, engage in negotiations and prepare proceedings on behalf of the Council.
You will also be required to undertake legal research on behalf of colleagues, gather evidence and documentation and liaise with external stakeholders including external solicitors, barristers and courts.
This role is a fantastic opportunity for individuals who are looking to start or continue their careers in law in a local government setting.
About us: 
Our dedicated in-house Legal team provides high quality advice and support to Senior Leaders, Elected Members, Council Officers, partner organisations and other key stakeholders across the public and private sector on a range of democratic matters.
We aim to offer services which are good value for money, innovative in their approach and delivery, risk aware not risk averse and open to doing things differently. We adopt a collaborative approach with all our stakeholders ensuring we are embedded in all their processes and decision making.
We are committed to the continuous professional development of our staff which includes the payment of professional fees, a wide range of training opportunities.
Wigan is a great place to work and, as a local authority, we truly value and recognise our staff as our greatest asset.  We actively encourage innovation, strive to deliver outstanding services and celebrate our successes by our commitment to our ‘Be Wigan’ behaviours, Be Courageous, Be Accountable and Be Positive. Our Legal team is inventive in its approach, digitally enabled and encourage a blended working ethos with equipment provided, which ensures that our staff have a happy and healthy work life balance. We are proud to have won the prestigious Lawyers in Local Government Innovation Award 2021 for our strategy on digital innovation and virtual court hearings.

For an informal discussion please contact Lisa Finnegan, Group Lawyer – People  lisa.finnegan@wigan.gov.uk or Helen Rimmer, Group Lawyer – People h.rimmer@wigan.gov.uk

As an employer we like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits.
Covid safe: 
Here at Wigan, we are proud to be a flexible workforce.  We take a blended approach to where we work, depending on the work we do.  This may include working from home (My Place), the office (Our Place) or the community (Your Place).  Please speak to the recruiting manager to find out more about where you will work from in your role.
To view the details relating to this position, please click the links below:

Job Specification

Privacy Notice

Interview date: Week commencing Monday 21st November 2022
 
Find out more about working for Wigan