Paralegal - Litigation

Job Description

Job Title: Paralegal
Salary: £45,624 – £52,038 per annum
Grade: F
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract - 12 months
Working Hours: 37 hours per week

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional and committed individual to join us as a Paralegal in a unique and interesting role within the Litigation Team, Legal Services.

As a Paralegal in the Litigation Team, you will be responsible for:

• Undertaking and managing a full caseload of legal work for prosecutions, such as education and environmental offences
• Assisting with drafting and legal work on all other prosecution matters, such as trading standards, public protection, health and safety, and enforcement
• Where appropriate, the preparation and/or conduct of such other appropriate cases as may be referred to the postholder by the team Leader/Lawyer before the High Court, County Court Magistrates, inquiries and tribunals, including advocacy and instructing Counsel in approved cases
• Carrying out research and providing legal advice to client departments on all related legal transactions
• Communicating with clients, external Solicitors, and others in person, on the phone, or by email as required
• Reviewing and updating templates and procedures, where appropriate
• Seeking to protect the Council's interests while taking precautions against potential fraud and money laundering
• Obtaining court dates and liaise with Magistrates- Courts in relation to Single Justice Procedure (SJP) and miscellaneous listings
• The collation, checking and sending of supporting legal and financial documents
• The recording of all key actions and ensuring data is regularly updated
• To prepare, negotiate, draft, agree, and process legal documents
• Provide responsive advice and make decisions in relation to specialist areas of prosecution/litigation law
• Personally manage a caseload and be able to work unsupervised
• To notify and advise on any instructions or events that would result in a breach by the Council or an individual of any legislation, common law, standing order, rule, propriety, or would constitute a course of action amounting to maladministration
• Keep up to date on legal and policy developments within the area of prosecution/litigation law
• To attend and participate in meetings with Officers of the Council and to provide legal advice when required
• Be willing and able to work in a flexible and agile way with regards to both hours and location of work, including remote and home working as required and subject to service needs and requirements

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative
• Experience of working in a legal office accredited to Lexcel standards, and of implementing changes to Lexcel Standards
• Ability to manage relationships with Senior Management and officers in other Departments effectively and proactively
• Ability to assist driving the performance management framework
• Ability to assist on the implementation of best value, quality initiatives and improvements to client care
• Ability to collate and analyse data
• Ability to assist in driving forward IT and e-government objectives in Legal Services
• Ability to grasp and assimilate new information quickly
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative
• Ability to advise Members and Senior Officers
• Ability to adopt a proactive approach to providing legal advice and support
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to relate the Council’s key policy objectives to the provision of the legal service
• Advocacy
• Good general level of understanding of IT systems, especially case management/time recording packages
• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills
• Understanding of Local Government structures and legal frameworks
• Understanding of Law Society practice management standards
• Five GCSEs and 2 A Levels
• Experience as a paralegal within a legal services team in a Local Authority or law firm
• Experience of working towards achieving/monitoring quality initiatives
• Experience in a performance management culture
• To behave in accordance with our values.
• Commitment to the principles of agile working including the ability to work flexibly with regards to both hours of work and location of work including remote and home working as required.
• Paralegal with experience in this field of work
• Understanding of and commitment to principles of equality and diversity and compliance with Thurrock Council policies.

DBS Check: Basic

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 6th November 2025

Closing Date (Internal & External): 7th November 2025

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:

Godwin Mangse - Principal Lawyer, Litigation Team

godwin.mangse@thurrock.gov.uk

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

About us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council