Family Paralegal 2025

We are looking for a Paralegal to join our Family team in Gloucester Road to support the lawyers with their cases and provide remote/direct support to other family lawyers across the other offices if required.

The Gloucester Road Family team covers a range of family matters including private children, domestic abuse, surrogacy, finances on divorce and separation. Our growing Family team in Bishopston consists of one Partner, three Lawyers, one Paralegal, four Legal Secretaries and a Trainee Solicitor. The team is an integral part of our large family department which is spread over four of our five offices

This role would suit someone who is looking to take the next step in their career and who may already be studying for CILEx or other legal qualifications.

The role

You will work on client cases with legal work but also provide some administrative support to the team and the department as required.

Paralegal work

You will:

• Undertake certain elements of legal work under supervision to include: interviewing clients, taking instructions, identifying appropriate funding including Public Funding, keeping detailed file notes of instructions received and of advice given and of any other attendances upon clients and other parties.
• Deal with routine client enquiries and communications.
• Maintain file checklists and keep client matters under regular review.
• Follow any initiatives/policies introduced by the firm.
• Assist fee earners with research.
• Draft applications to the court and other court documents for approval by the fee earner.
• Trace and interview witnesses and draft statements.
• Send reminders or telephone non-paying clients in respect of outstanding bills in conjunction with the accounts department.
• Check and close files.
• Deal with letters, fax, email and telephone communications.
• Maintain an adequate and up-to-date knowledge of the law and practice.
• Check all draft documents.
• Notify a Partner about any complaints received in respect of work undertaken.
• Attend court to issue claim forms and other legal documents and to assist at trial to include siting behind counsel where appropriate.
• Exercise high standards of client care in a professional and pleasant manner.
• Ensure the confidentiality and security of all of firm and client documentation and information.
• Comply with the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules and the Rules on the Professional Conduct of Solicitors.
• Maintain clear and precise communications with other personnel of the firm.
• Ensure good working relationships with external institutions and organisations.
• Respond promptly and accurately to requests for information concerning case work from Partners, supervisors and fee earners.

Administrative work

You will:

• Assist support staff as required.
• Prepare trial bundles and manage documents including photocopying, compilation of bundles of documents, delivery of documents to court and other parties and collection.
• Take telephone messages.
• Triage new clients.
• Deal with filing and scanning of post, collection and posting of post as required.
• Maintain file format in accordance with office manual to include electronic filing.
• Draft meeting agendas and take minutes of meetings as required.

This role will also have a range of accounting and marketing and business development responsibilities/activities on behalf of the department.

About us

Barcan+Kirby is well known in the Bristol legal market both as a provider of excellent legal services for individuals and businesses, and as a progressive employer.

We are committed to developing and nurturing our people, and encouraging positive wellbeing and mental health is central to our culture. When we say we offer a work/life balance, we mean it.

We work hard to maintain a culture of kindness and friendliness, and welcome applications from individuals who fit with our values.

We like to think that we do things a bit differently from other law firms.

The ideal candidate will

• Have completed the LPC/GDL/SQE; or
• have a Law degree; or
• hold a CILEx Professional Qualification (CPQ) Foundation Stage (or equivalent/higher); or
• have completed or be prepared to work towards the Apprenticeship in Law (Paralegal).
• Have experience of working with legal practice management systems.

Computer literacy is essential for this role, particularly experience using Word, Excel, Teams and Zoom.

Location and working hours

• Full-time (office hours are 9am – 5.15pm, Monday to Friday).
• The role is based at our Bishopston office but with the option to apply for hybrid working upon successful completion of your probation.

Belonging at Barcan+Kirby

We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive working environment. We want you to bring your true self to work and encourage applications from anyone who embodies our values, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, disability status, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodiversity or anything else that makes you, you.

If there is anything we can do to make things more comfortable for you as part of the application process, including making a reasonable adjustment, please let us know by emailing recruitment@barcankirby.co.uk.

Applications for this role close at 9am on Thursday 22nd May with interviews on Wednesday 11th June.