Job description
Please send your CV and cover letter to hr@gnlaw.co.uk - applications without a cover letter will not be accepted.
About GN Law
GN Law is an independent law firm with a committed team of solicitors, paralegals and support staff. We represent clients locally in North Finchley, Whetstone and Barnet and more widely across London and the UK.
Our team of around sixty people are passionate about the work that we do in supporting the most vulnerable in society and making law more accessible to all. We aspire to be empathic, efficient, and approachable in all that we do.
Our specialist areas of law include:
● Court of Protection - safeguarding the rights and interests of vulnerable individuals, ensuring that any decisions made on their behalf are in their best interests, and providing a legal framework for managing their affairs when they lack the mental capacity to do so.
● Mental Health - supporting and representing patients detained under the Mental Health Act.
● Claims Against Police & Public Authorities - holding public authorities to account for misconduct, unlawful acts, and abuses of power.
● Wills, trusts and probate - legal advice and helping clients to plan for their future and the future of their families.
● Family – divorce proceedings, financial proceedings on divorce, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, private children matters and care proceedings.
About the Role
We’re looking for a committed and enthusiastic Paralegal to join our Court of Protection (COP) team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about working with vulnerable individuals and interested in developing a career in mental capacity law.
The role will involve representing clients who lack capacity, attending court hearings, liaising with family members and professionals, and preparing detailed legal documents.
Main Responsibilities
* Supporting solicitors in managing COP welfare matters.
* Attending court hearings and visiting clients in care homes, hospitals, and other settings.
* Drafting documents, witness statements, and correspondence.
* Conducting legal research and preparing court bundles.
* Liaising with clients, family members, experts, and third parties.
* Managing elements of your own caseload under supervision.
* Assisting with Legal Aid applications and related funding work.
* Contributing to departmental and firm-wide initiatives.
Person Specification
Essential:
* Punctual, reliable, and willing to travel to court hearings and client visits.
* Good organisational skills able to manage time efficiently and meet deadlines.
* Strong attention to detail and, ideally, some drafting experience.
* Empathetic and sensitive to the needs of vulnerable clients.
* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
* Exposure to vulnerable client groups or social care settings is highly beneficial but not essential.
* Previous paralegal experience in areas such as mental health, personal injury, clinical negligence, or elderly client work is desirable, as these skills transfer well, but not essential
* A qualifying law degree or SQE1 equivalent.
* Right to work in the UK for an extended period (we cannot accept student or graduate visas).
Desirable:
* Some understanding or experience of mental capacity law.
* Completion of the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or SQE2.
Career Development
Many of our paralegals go on to secure a 2-year training contract with us, either through the LPC or as Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) linked to the SQE.
We’re looking for candidates eager to build a long-term career at GN Law, with a clear passion for this area of law and a desire to progress within the firm.
The following criteria are essential to the role:
· The candidate must have a valid right to work in the UK for an extended period. Right to work checks will be conducted before an employment offer is made.
· The candidate must have a qualifying law degree or SQE1 equivalent
· The candidate must have a demonstrable interest in Court of Protection work.
The following criteria are preferable but are not essential to the role: -
· Having passed the Legal Practice Course or SQE2.
· Previous experience of Court of Protection work.
Employment terms
Responsible to - The Directors
Salary - £24,000 pa. Increases are subject to annual review and the GN Law pay policy.
Pension -The post-holder will be enrolled automatically in the GN Law’s pension scheme.
Contract type - Permanent, subject to satisfactory completion of a 6-month probationary period.
Hours -37.5 hours a week.
Base -GN Law offices, Lodge Lane, North Finchley, London – hybrid working available.
Annual leave -20 days excluding public holidays. The leave year is 1 January-31 December and leave is calculated on a pro rata basis.
Maternity / shared parental leave - We offer an enhanced package of maternity/shared parental pay.
Notice period - Following successful completion of the probationary period, the appointment may be terminated by not less than 3 months’ notice in writing by either side.
Application process
Please send your CV and cover letter to hr@gnlaw.co.uk - applications without a cover letter will not be accepted.
You must demonstrate how you meet all of the essential criteria in the Person Specification.
If you do not have access to email, you can send a paper application to the address given on the application form. Please get in touch if you have any other access requirements in order to submit an application.
All applicants are also requested to complete and submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form available via the Careers page on our website. Any information collated from this form will not be used as part of the selection process and will be treated as strictly confidential.
We cannot be held responsible for applications that do not reach us, or that arrive after the deadline.
Interviews will take place over two stages. An initial interview will be carried out online. The second stage will be held at our office, 2A Lodge Lane, London N12 8JR.
If you are shortlisted for an initial interview, we will contact you directly.
No references will be taken up until a provisional offer of employment has been made.
Unsuccessful applicants will be informed by email.