Paralegal - Civil Liberties - #195766

Reports to: Department Manager

Salary: Dependent on experience

Office base: Wigan, WN3 5BA - You need to be able to comfortably commute to this location several times a week.

Hours: 35 hours per week

• Are you a motivated Paralegal looking to build your legal career within a highly regarded Civil Liberties team?
• Do you have a passion for access to justice, human rights, and holding public authorities to account?
• If you're looking for a varied and rewarding role where you can gain hands-on litigation experience and make a real difference to clients' lives, we'd love to hear from you.
  
  

The Role

As a Paralegal in our Civil Liberties team at Stephensons, you'll support solicitors and fee earners handling a wide range of Claims Against Public Authorities matters.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in civil litigation, working on cases involving public bodies, local authorities, police forces, prisons, and other public authorities. You'll play an important role in progressing cases, supporting clients, preparing legal documents, conducting research, and assisting with all aspects of case management.

Working closely with experienced solicitors, you'll contribute to meaningful and often complex cases that help protect individuals' rights and ensure accountability from public authorities.

Click here to read more about the team. Click here to meet Maria Chadwick, Partner and Head of Discrimination, Civil Liberties & Education Law

What You'll Be Doing

• Supporting solicitors with Claims Against Public Authorities casework.
• Attending client meetings and preparing detailed attendance notes.
• Assisting with legal research and the preparation of written assessments and representations.
• Preparing instructions to Counsel and arranging conferences where required.
• Collating, reviewing, and analysing evidence to support ongoing litigation.
• Liaising with clients, Counsel, experts, public bodies, and other professionals to progress matters efficiently.
• Preparing and submitting Legal Aid applications and gathering supporting merits and means evidence.
• Drafting court applications, pleadings, and other legal documentation under supervision.
• Maintaining accurate case records and ensuring compliance with case management procedures.
• Managing delegated tasks effectively and completing work within agreed timescales.
• Supporting the wider team in achieving excellent client outcomes and delivering outstanding client care.
• Keeping up to date with developments in relevant areas of law and procedure.
  
  

About You

We welcome applicants with a wide range of strengths, thinking styles and lived experiences. We're happy to discuss any workplace adjustments or support that would help you perform at your best, including communication preferences, assistive tools, or environmental changes.

We're looking for someone who can:

• Thrive in a fast-paced and often challenging litigation environment.
• Remain calm, focused, and resilient under pressure.
• Work independently whilst also contributing positively to a collaborative team.
• Manage competing priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Communicate in a friendly, respectful, and approachable manner with clients, colleagues, Counsel, and external organisations.
• Demonstrate excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities and the varying demands of litigation work.
• Build positive relationships with clients, including those experiencing difficult or stressful circumstances.
• Show a genuine interest in civil liberties, human rights, claims against public authorities, and access to justice.
• Be committed to developing a long-term career within this specialist area of law.
  
  

Essential

You will need:

• A Law Degree or relevant legal work experience.
• 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above).
• A-Level qualifications or equivalent.
• Confidence using computers and the ability to learn new systems with training.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail when preparing legal documentation and correspondence.
  
  

Desirable

It's helpful, but not essential, if you also have:

• Experience working within a solicitors' practice.
• Experience supporting litigation casework.
• Experience or exposure to Human Rights, Civil Liberties, Public Law, or related areas of law.
• Knowledge of Legal Aid applications and procedures.
• Experience drafting legal documents, court applications, and pleadings.
• Experience using case management systems.
• Understanding of client care standards and complaints procedures.
  
  

We also look for individuals who embody our brand values: approachable, flexible, inclusive, resilient and supportive.

Our Values

At Stephensons, we're proud to be approachable, flexible, inclusive, resilient, and supportive. We want people who not only bring strong technical skills but who also share our commitment to making a positive impact for the clients and communities we serve.

Why Stephensons?

Stephensons is an award-winning, top 150 law firm committed to growth, innovation, and employee wellbeing. We are ambitious yet down-to-earth, offering a friendly workplace where your career can truly thrive.

We value work-life balance and flexibility, and we understand the importance of supporting your life outside of work.

Discover more about what it’s like to work for us Here - and hear from our Managing Partner, Sean Joyce, about our culture and values here.

What We Offer

Click here to view further details of our benefits package.

• Generous annual leave (increasing with service)
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Early monthly pay scheme
• Life assurance
• Hybrid working
• Holiday sale & purchase scheme*
• Well‑being package (financial, physical & mental health support)
• Free parking
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay*
• Will writing service*
• Season ticket & travel support
• Payroll giving scheme
• Social events & clubs
• Reward & recognition schemes
• Internal referral scheme
• Retail vouchers/cashback schemes
• Free eye tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• *Service‑length conditions apply.