Senior Paralegal

Job summary

The Insolvency Service is a leading Government agency which plays a crucial role in providing essential services to the public and to business. The work we do is important to the proper functioning of markets, the economy in general and support for thousands of people each year who are in financial difficulty.

Inclusive and diverse teams are important to us. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups underrepresented in our workforce. The Insolvency Service strives to ensure that the agency is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for everybody to bring their true self to work and to help the agency to achieve its diversity objectives. We have 9 active employee network groups available to join or become an ally, these include, Carers Network, Disability network group, Employee Assistance, Representatives, FACES Network Group, LGBT+, Mind Matters, Part Time Workers, The Shed - Men’s Network Group and Women’s Network Group.

We offer full-time, part-time (34 hours minimum), job share and flexible ways of working. We value capability, technical skills and experience and we place great emphasis on lifetime development to support our people. We encourage our employees to become more involved in areas they feel strongly about, whether it be for the benefit of the agency, though our Engagement network or in their own local communities via volunteering opportunities.

The Insolvency Service is a great place to work, learn and grow your career!

We are looking for dynamic and motivated people to join our Senior Paralegal Team which sits within our Legal Services Directorate.

Legal Services Directorate undertakes both criminal enforcement work on a range of offences that underpin the insolvency and corporate regimes and civil litigation work arising from director misconduct and corporate wrongdoing.

Our Senior Paralegal team makes decisions on behalf of the Secretary of State and is primarily responsible for the authorisation of disqualification proceedings, compensation claims, bankruptcy and debt relief restrictions and cases involving the winding up of companies in the Public Interest as well as progression of disqualification and compensation cases up to undertaking.

Job description

In the Senior Paralegal Team, we are responsible for authorising proceedings in all civil litigation cases as well as progressing disqualification and compensation cases up to pre-issue settlement.

As a Senior Paralegal you will review submissions from investigators, make Public Interest decisions on behalf of the Secretary of State, and progress authorised cases to outcome.

This is not a traditional paralegal role, and the successful candidate will be expected to assimilate and analyse evidence before making clear, concise and reasoned public interest recommendations to their seniors.

This is a varied and challenging role within a fast paced and dynamic team.

Responsibilities

As a Senior Paralegal, your responsibilities will include:

• reviewing disqualification and compensation cases submitted for authority to proceed (ATP) by the Investigation teams
• analysing, interpreting and reviewing a range of evidence and giving due consideration to the Public Interest to draw conclusions
• making timely, clear, reasoned and robust recommendations to managers both in person and in writing either to authorise proceedings or turn down the case
• communicating effectively with defendants, legal representatives and other third parties to progress cases to pre-issue settlement
• maintaining accurate and timely case records via a case management system
• effectively handling and monitoring a varied case load
• working collaboratively with colleagues across directorates to ensure appropriate and timely decision making, share best practice and drive efficiencies in process
• keeping up to date with changes in legislation and internal processes and procedures in a rapidly changing environment.

Person specification

The ideal candidate will:

• be able to assimilate information quickly and make reasoned recommendations based on their findings
• have an inquisitive mind and a willingness to constructively challenge
• be a strong communicator with an ability to build relationships with a wide range of people
• have a keen eye for detail and be able to make decisions based on sometimes limited information
• be emotionally intelligent and able to deal with conflict in a calm and reasoned manner
• have excellent drafting ability with it comes to written communications
• have a high level of self-motivation so that they can work independently, progress a case load and work to tight deadlines
• have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, being able to recognise patterns and draw reasoned conclusions
• be organised, proactive and accountable
• be self-motivated so you can work independently and manage a complex case load.

Essential Criteria

You will have obtained a minimum of a 2:2 honours in a qualifying law degree or hold an equivalent qualifications (e.g. CILEx) as recognised by the professional bodies.

Or, you will have obtained an Insolvency Service ISIP qualification (or equivalent) at Level 3. Please note, ISORP is not considered equivalent for this post.

Please note: Work patterns for this role include full time, part time, flexible working and job share however, due to business needs, part time hours must be a minimum of 34 hours per week.

This vacancy is advertised across 6 locations; however, Stratford and Croydon are only available to current Insolvency Service staff who are already based in that specific office. The advertised salary includes London weighting, which is only applicable to internal candidates.

Qualifications

You will have obtained a minimum of a 2:2 honours in a qualifying law degree or hold an equivalent qualification (e.g. CILEx) as recognised by the professional bodies.

Or, you will have obtained an Insolvency Service ISIP qualification (or equivalent) at Level 3. Please note, ISORP is not considered equivalent for this post.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Skills test

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,645, Insolvency Service contributes £10,326 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We want you to have a good work-life balance and want to support you in all that you do, so we offer a great benefits package including:

• flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
• full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service
• in addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day of privilege leave
• competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
• 5 days paid leave for learning and development
• 5 days paid for volunteering
• a Cycle to work scheme
• staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package where the employer makes a significant contribution to the cost of your pension. Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. This means, if you pay tax, your take-home pay will not be reduced by the full amount of your contribution; and your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. For more information, visit www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the sift process, you will be asked to complete:

• Personal Statement
• Behaviours
• Behaviour 1 – Making Effective Decisions
• Behaviour 2 - Delivering at Pace
• Technical Skills - Skills Test (see guidance below)

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Technical Skills Test, assessing candidates against the essential criteria. Only those who meet the essential criteria at this stage will proceed to a full assessment of their application. If a candidate does not meet the minimum requirements during the initial sift, the remainder of their application will not be reviewed. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

Technical Skills Guidance

Please refer to the attached skills test scenario and provide your answer by uploading an anonymised attachment of no more than 500 words. Please do not provide your answer in the Technical Skill box and simply respond 'Yes' to confirm you have uploaded your anonymised attachment.

Personal Statement Guidance

Your personal statement should be no more than 500 words and must demonstrate how your personal skills, qualities, and experience align with the requirements of the role. Please ensure your statement references the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

If successful at the sift stage, at interview, you will be assessed on the following:

• Behavioural Competencies - assessed through:
• Behaviour 1 – Making Effective Decisions
• Behaviour 2 - Delivering at Pace
• Technical Skills

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Sift – w/c 18 05 26

Interview – w/c 08 06 26 and 15 06 26

Location - MS Teams

Your interview will be conducted by video. You will be notified of this if you are selected for interview. Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.

Visa Applicants
To sponsor a candidate under the Skilled Worker visa, a sponsorship licence is required. The Insolvency Service does not currently hold this licence and therefore, cannot legally sponsor Skilled Worker visa applicants.

Further Information

Hybrid Working

Insolvency Service operates a hybrid working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.

Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending a minimum of 60% in the workplace, which includes the office, site visits, court etc.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Insolvency Service 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

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.

Reasonable Adjustment

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 InsolvencyRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Jennifer Smith
• Email : lsdrecruitment@insolvency.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : InsolvencyRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel there have been procedural irregularities at any stage of the recruitment process or that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact hr.recruitment@insolvency.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

SPT Skills Test Opens in new window (pdf, 352kB)Applying for a Job - A Candidate Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 3061kB)Insolvency Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 6509kB)