Paralegal x2

Job summary

From time to time, a criminal case ends with a wrongful conviction or sentence – there might not have been a crime at all, the wrong person might have been convicted, or the process might have failed so significantly that the conviction is unsafe. Can you help to find the crucial new evidence or argument that changes things and enables us to send the case back for an appeal?

Paralegals provide support to our Case Review Managers in the work of analysing and investigating suspected miscarriages of justice. They also manage their own portfolio of less complex cases.

The role is challenging. Paralegals need to be organised, analytical, articulate, resilient, and proactive. You must be able to juggle competing priorities, planning your work to ensure each task is completed accurately and takes no longer than reasonably necessary to reach a reliable conclusion.

As a Paralegal, you will play a key role in updating applicants on the progress of their cases and responding to their queries.

You will be supporting Case Review Managers to carry out investigations, such as applicant and witness interviews and expert instructions, and you will have the opportunity to examine material from the police, the prosecution, the courts and the defence, as well as records from prisons, the NHS and local authorities.

You will also be responsible for drafting decision documents, under the supervision of a Case Review Manager.

In return, we offer you a unique and independent perspective on the criminal justice system and criminal cases.

Job description

The postholder is part of the casework team, providing support to Case Review Managers (CRMs) on large and complex cases and undertaking their own work directly on ‘no appeal’ applications and simpler cases. You will have a good knowledge of the cases to which you are assigned, sufficient to be able to draft applicant updates and respond to queries from applicants, representatives or third parties including telephone calls, emails and letters on behalf of the CRM.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

Under the direction of a Group Leader, and supporting the work of Case Review Managers:

• Triage ‘no appeal’ applications and review simple cases.
• Draft and present recommendations to the decision-making Commissioner
• Support CRMs on large and complex cases by:
  • Preparing update letters and supporting interactions with applicants and representatives
  • Keeping case documents, including the Case Narrative, up to date
  • Undertaking legal and other research
  • Reviewing papers and files from external bodies
  • Attending case-related meetings and preparing minutes
  • Drafting and preparing letters, witness statements, summaries, chronologies and other relevant documents.
  • Drafting decision documents
  • Assisting in the preparation of document bundles
• Undertake other support within the casework team as appropriate for the nature and salary of the post
• Ensure compliance with the CCRC’s obligations on disclosure, security and confidentiality of information
• Ensure compliance with the CCRC’s obligations under the Code of Practice for Victims
• Keep up to date with developing law, practice and policy
• As may from time to time be appropriate:
  • serve on, and/or provide assistance to, in-house working groups
  • prepare and deliver training and case related presentations to colleagues

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• Lead Criteria: Law degree, or postgraduate legal qualification, or CILEX CPQ Paralegal (or equivalent), or previous paralegal experience in the UK criminal justice system (CJS)
• Experience of understanding and applying criminal law
• Strong analytical and legal research skills
• Experience of drafting legal documents with excellent written ability
• Experience of engaging with the public and professionals, either face to face or over the telephone
• Ability to manage a challenging portfolio of work including varied tasks with competing deadlines and conflicting priorities

Desirable criteria:

• Professional legal qualification (in law relating to England, Wales, Northern Ireland) having completed the bar course / the legal practice course / both SQE1 and SQE2 / CILEX CPQ Professional Stage
• 12 months’ work experience of legal casework in the UK criminal justice system (CJS)

​Please refer to the candidate information pack which contains full details.

Qualifications

Law degree, or postgraduate legal qualification, or CILEX CPQ Paralegal (or equivalent), or previous paralegal experience in the UK criminal justice system (CJS)

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,303, Criminal Cases Review Commission contributes £8,489 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We offer a wide range of benefits, including flexible working options. You can also look forward to:

• A Civil Service pension - this will see us making a significant contribution to your pension fund
• 29 days' annual leave allowance (pro rata), in addition to eight statutory bank holidays and special leave allowance for your birthday
• Generous paid maternity, paternity and shared parental leave (SPL), in addition to other enhanced family related policies, which are in excess of the statutory minimum
• We have flexible working patterns, including access to a flexible working scheme
• We also operate a flexi time system which means you can build up to two additional days off per month
• Remote working (anywhere in the UK) - we will supply a laptop and any equipment you don't already have so you can work from home comfortably and safely
• Reimbursement for any travel, subsistence, and expenses
• 3 paid volunteering days per year
• Access to retail discounts and a cashback site
• Occupational Health Services and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Free eye tests and a contribution towards lenses or spectacles for VDU users

To find out more and apply, please visit our website.

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, Strengths and Experience.

Selection process timeline:

Applications should be submitted via our careers site by no later than 23:55