This is a fast-paced environment, where you must be able to manage and prioritise your work, through the life of a case including regular reviews and closure to ensure effective delivery of all targets. 

This is a technical position with no management responsibilities. You will report to an Operational HEO manager.

Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to: 

• Following client department instructions and providing legal information to both client departments and the public.
• Managing a caseload to meet relevant Impact Indicators and Service Standard targets
• Accurately inputting case information into legal management systems and preparing court documents such as witness statements and COP forms.
• Performing general administrative tasks, interpreting court orders, and supporting diary management, where required.
• Reviewing and making decisions on severance cases and gathering formal statements and evidence for lawyer review
• Drafting responses to correspondence under lawyer oversight and preparing court bundles and indexes.
• Engaging and liaising with clients via different methods of communication to maintain positive relationships and successful progression of cases
• Providing support during court hearings and meetings, conducting legal research, and arranging meetings with various parties.
• Identifying urgent matters and escalating them as needed, collaborating with lawyers to progress and close cases.
• Supporting continuous improvement in the legal team's work and delivery of training as and when required
• Keeping up to date with legal changes ensuring services align with new legislation and policies.
• Travel to other locations as required and handling confidential information.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Experience of working in a legal environment, including progressing casework, preparing legal documentation, analysing evidence or information, and supporting court, tribunal or legal proceedings
• Ability to manage a varied caseload, assess priorities, exercise sound judgement and deliver accurate outcomes within competing deadlines.
• Ability to analyse information, identify key issues and make well-reasoned recommendations or decisions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting professional correspondence and explaining complex legal or procedural information clearly to a range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrable attention to detail when handling sensitive or confidential information, maintaining accurate records and updating case management systems.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across teams, professions and grades to progress legal matters and achieve shared outcomes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and case management systems, with experience of producing professional documents and maintaining accurate electronic records.

Desirable Skills

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates.

• Legal qualification, including but not limited to; law degree, qualifying law degree, Graduate Diploma in Law, CiLex, LPC, BPC.
• Knowledge or practical experience of Court of Protection processes.
• Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, Code of Practice, LPA, EPA or deputyship regulations.
• Experience working in a government, court, public sector or regulated environment.

Application Process

This recruitment will follow the Civil Service Success Profile process. Candidates will be asked to complete:

• A Personal Statement of Suitability of no more than 1000 words to demonstrate your experience against the essential and desirable skills required for this role.
• A Behaviour statement of no more than 250 words showing evidence of the lead behaviour delivering at pace (level 2).

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Behaviour: Delivering at pace (level 2).

Assessment

If you are successful at sift, you will be invited for a practical assessment which will test your technical skills and relevant essential skills.

The assessment will be held remotely, and a set time will be given to complete it.

During the assessment, candidates will be provided with written information on a screen to read. Candidates will then be expected to answer questions on this information during the set time. This will take place following the application sift and before the interview. You will be required to pass the assessment to be able to continue to the next stage.

Interview Process

If you are successful at assessment, you will be invited to an interview which will use the Civil Service Success Profiles. At interview, candidates should expect questions on:

• Strengths relevant to the role
• The following Behaviours at Level 2:
  • Delivering at pace - lead behaviour
  • Working together
  • Managing a quality service

All interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview. 

Merit List

Candidates who are recommended by the selection panel but not appointed to the current vacancy will be placed on a merit list for 12 months.

Reasonable Adjustments

At OPG we consider all applications on the basis of merit and want you to feel able to demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any reasonable adjustments for any aspect of the selection process, do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role. If you are applying for a role within OPG and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please indicate this in your application and let us know of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the selection process.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a