Paralegal (Environmental Pollution)

Contract type:

permanent

About the team

We are looking to hire three Paralegals to join our International department where they will primarily work on the Shell case concerning allegations of oil pollution in the Niger Delta for which trial is listed to start in May 2027.

Overall purpose for this role

• This role will involve working on group claims including related to international environmental and climate harms.
• 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.
• To assist the team in the preparation and conduct of a significant trial related to the Shell case concerning pollution in Nigeria.

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.
• 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.
• Analyse disclosure and identify relevant and important documents, including for particular expert disciplines.
• Assist with the preparation of expert evidence in a variety of different scientific, legal and technical expert disciplines.
• Assist with all aspects of trial management and preparation (including bundle preparation and logistical support).
• 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.

Travel

• The role may require significant overseas travel as and when necessary in order to perform the various roles identified above.
• Assisting with organisation of overseas trips and with logistics and administration relating to trips.
• Assisting with interviewing clients or witnesses overseas.
• Assisting with work conducted by experts overseas.

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. Identification of relevant follow-ups.
• 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 and environmental rights.
• Previous experience in a legal firm (desirable, not essential) along with demonstrable knowledge of drafting legal documentation /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 (desirable, not essential).
• Experience of dealing with vulnerable clients (desirable, not essential).
• 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, ideally with experience of Practice / Case Management Systems and electronic disclosure review platforms.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to work flexibly/ adapt to different circumstances and work requirements, particularly when working overseas.
• Ability to work with sensitivity in countries with systems and culture that are significantly different to the UK.
• Willingness to travel for significant periods, including to Nigeria.
• Experience in or knowledge of any of these areas will be an added advantage: human rights, group claims/class actions, environmental claims, background in environmental science.

Please be aware that we interview on a rolling basis. We encourage you to make an application as soon as possible as this job ad will close when we hit our application limit. About Leigh Day

We are a top 100 law firmcommitted 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.

• Hybrid working (typically 2-3 days from home for a full time worker)
• 29 days annual leave (excluding public holidays)
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Life assurance 4 x salary
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
• Electric car scheme

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.