Main area Legal Services Grade NHS AfC: Band 5 Contract 12 months (Fixed Term) Hours 37.5 hours per week (Full Time Monday - Friday) Job ref 388-7629808-CORP
Employer Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Torbay Hospital Town Torquay Salary £31,049 - £37,796 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 23/03/2026 23:59
Adult Social Care Debt Recovery Paralegal
NHS AfC: Band 5
Job overview
The Legal Services team play a crucial role in supporting the Trust and Trust employees with all manner of legal matters including Inquests and Claims made against the Trust.
You will be required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the law and procedures relating to debt recovery. This includes supporting the departments lawyers as well as supporting casework on matters relating to the Trust’s debt recovery work.
Main duties of the job
* Good working knowledge of debt recovery and enforcement in the County Court.
* Support an active caseload with the aim of providing efficient and effective debt recovery advice. Comply with time limits, meet deadlines and advise on strategic case management to ensure that matters are processed effectively and efficiently.
* Deal with incoming post and ensure systems are updated and operated correctly.
* Liaise directly with other Departments within the Trust, debtors, the Court and external third parties.
* Drafting Letters of Claim pursuant to the Practice Direction – Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols and the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims.
* Support negotiations on settlements, instalments and monitoring payment plans.
* Preparing Claim Forms.
* Prepare Judgment in Default documentation.
* Advising the Trust on enforcement options and progressing enforcement with the Court, Land Registry and through High Court Enforcement Officers.
* Assist with the preparation of Trust reports.
* To assist casework on Debt Recovery matters.
* Instruct counsel as necessary, arrange case conferences and attend with counsel at hearings/inquiries as required.
* To familiarise and keep up to date with changes in the law and legal practice.
* Providing support to facilitate the development and implementation of new procedures within the team.
* To provide a consistent and fair approach towards members of the public and Trust employees in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policies.
* To assist casework on legal matters including evaluation of evidence, case preparation and, where appropriate, briefing counsel.
* Assisting lawyers and counsel with the conduct of routine and more complex legal proceedings.
* Contributes to the development and implementation of new procedures within the team.
* With minimal supervision, to assist casework on a debt recovery. Including proactive case management, preparation of proceedings, advice on settlement negotiations, drafting documents to obtain judgment in default as required and assisting recovery of settlement including relevant enforcement actions.
* Arrange case conferences and attend hearings.
You will be joining a friendly and very supportive Trust, committed to the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people of Devon. We value our staff health and wellbeing and are constantly looking to improve our offer to them, as well as recognising their commitment and excellence through our People awards. We were the first NHS organisation in England to join up hospital and community care with social care creating an integrated care organisation making our Trust an exciting and interesting place to work and grow your career. In support of this you will also have access to a programme of high-quality training and development.
You will be joining the Trust at a very exciting time in its history. A new Devon wide Electronic Paper Record is due to go live over the next 12 months, and you will be at the forefront of the Legal Services offering to the Trust.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Degree in Law (or other degree with completion of relevant conversion course)
* Full or trainee membership of CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) or the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP)
* Understanding / knowledge of NHS or Local Authority debt management processes and administration
You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.
If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
* We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly.
* Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.
* Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
* Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
* Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
* If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
* It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.
The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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