Paralegal, Human Rights (Contaminated Blood)

About the team
Our Human Rights team are currently working on a number of notable group claims including representing individuals who contracted Hepatitis C and/or Hepatitis B and/or HIV from NHS blood, blood products or tissue. Termed the "worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS", the contaminated blood scandal was recently the subject of Public Inquiry which reported in May 2024. Following the Infected Blood Inquiry's damming report, the Government set-up the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme to compensate individuals infected and affected by contaminated blood. Leigh Day is one of the legal firms representing and assisting individuals applying for compensation via the Scheme.

Overall purpose for this role
•    To provide a reliable and efficient support service for clients and assist with general administration of group claims.
•    To assist the firm in achieving its stated professional and commercial objectives.
•    To undertake a wide variety of paralegal and administrative tasks as set out below. 

Main duties and responsibilities

Case management
•    To effectively manage group claims and ensure that accurate information and instructions are obtained from clients, that accurate records are maintained and that all files are kept up to date.
•    Assist with drafting documents, client liaison including interviewing clients and taking instructions, preparation of witness statements, research work, assist with negotiations and provide general administrative support. 
•    Conduct legal and factual research and prepare research notes.
•    Obtaining, collating and reviewing medical records.
•    Assist the solicitor/ team in all aspects of litigation including preparation of correspondence/ documents, dealing with funding issues, preparing for court hearings / trial / settlement, instruction of experts, disclosure review, quantification of claims, costs assessment/ negotiations.
•    To monitor all aspects of the case on behalf of the client and advise on whether subsequent developments affect views previously expressed.
•    To pay attention to detail and ensure accuracy of work.
•    Supporting the research and development of new areas of practice for the firm.
•    In the absence of supervising fee-earner, ensure that urgent matters are referred to appropriate personnel. 
•    To ensure that all work is conducted in compliance with SRA rules and the Civil Procedure Rules.

Client/ 3rd party management
•    Communicate with clients/ other parties as and when necessary in a professional, courteous and efficient manner.
•    Monitor all aspects of the case on behalf of the client and advise on whether subsequent developments affect views previously expressed.

File/Case management
•    Thorough and accurate note taking at meetings and preparation of file notes.
•    Organising and preparing bundles for court or for meetings.
•    Administrative work in order to ensure that the client's files are up-to-date and administrative work in relation to the cohort of clients.
•    Ensuring that time recording is updated daily.

Personal development
•    To keep knowledge up to date by attending in-house seminars, through research, reading and attending courses as appropriate.
•    To ensure learning and development plans are completed and that records are up to date and compliant with relevant SRA requirements.
•    To ensure that adequate training is received to be able to gain maximum benefit from the firm's investment in Information Technology.

Any other tasks as might from time to time be required.

Person specification    
•    Genuine interest in working with a leading claimant law firm and passionate about providing access to justice to all.  Commitment to human rights.
•    Previous experience in a legal firm along with demonstrable knowledge of drafting legal documentation and correspondence and conducting legal and factual research.
•    Ability to manage own workload in a busy environment to a consistently high standard and timely manner.
•    Demonstrable understanding of and commitment to client care.
•    Proven ability to communicate accurately, clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing with a wide range of clients and various stakeholders.
•    Experience in interviewing and liaising with clients and taking witness statements, dealing with clients sensitively and managing difficult conversations and taking accurate and full attendance notes of client instructions.
•    Proven ability to work and contribute to a team environment; 
•    Good academic background with legal qualifications (Degree, GDL, LPC etc.).
•    Proficient user of Microsoft Office, with experience of Practice / Case Management Systems and electronic disclosure review platforms.
•    Ability to work well under pressure.

Desirable
•    At least one years' experience in personal injury litigation. 
•    Experience of dealing with vulnerable clients.

Note: Although this role is also open to London, we have a heavy preference for candidates who live a commutable distance to our Manchester office or are willing to relocate to Manchester for this role.

About Leigh Day

We are a top 100 law firm committed to claimant-only cases, ensuring that individuals have the same access to justice as the UK Government and large corporations. We're not afraid to take on difficult and challenging cases involving medical negligence, serious personal injuries, discrimination in the workplace, defective products and human rights abuses in this country and overseas.

Benefits 

29 days' holiday per annum inclusive of 4 days' compulsory leave to be taken during the Christmas office closure, plus all public and bank holidays; two weeks' of working elsewhere; contributory pension scheme; life assurance (4 times annual salary); private medical insurance; interest free season ticket loan; childcare vouchers; cycle to work scheme; electric vehicle scheme. Our hybrid working policy for full-time employees is three days in the office and two at home, and we also offer free breakfast and lunch every day for those coming into to the office. 

We also have annual social activities and genuinely pride ourselves on having a supportive and friendly culture.

Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Leigh Day is committed to the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion.  We value the diversity of our colleagues, our clients and the third parties with whom we work.  We seek to create an environment where everyone feels included and valued for their unique characteristics, skills and abilities and supported in their needs and responsibilities.

We welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. Please let us know if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application or recruitment process. There is an option to detail this on your application form, however, please just get in touch should you wish to discuss this prior to formally submitting an application. Please note all conversations or disclosures are treated in the strictest confidence.