Ministry of Justice UK
22788 - Senior Paralegal (Operations)
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Senior Paralegal (Operations) – Office of Public Guardian (OPG)
Role
Location: Cross site: Hybrid working between home and either Embankment House, Nottingham or Victoria Square House, Birmingham. Some travel between either site may be required.
Grade: HEO
Salary: £35,335 - £37,847
Contract Type: Permanent
Minimum Hours: 29 hours over 4 days
Organisational Overview
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. We are an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), set up in 2007 following the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act of 2005.
OPG is responsible for registering lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA) and supervising deputies who are appointed by the Court of Protection.
OPG is a fantastic place to work offering a range of development opportunities. The OPG is a disability confident employer and is committed to developing a supportive and inclusive environment that reflects the diverse community we serve.
Team Overview
The team – comprising 70 to 80 staff members – is multidisciplinary in nature and aims to provide a high quality and efficient specialist legal service for OPG. We have Senior Lawyers, Lawyers, Senior Paralegals and Paralegals, a Legal Support team as well as an excellent team of legal operations specialists.
The team has two principal functions:
(1) To conduct litigation on behalf of the Public Guardian in the Court of Protection, managing the whole litigation process. This involves reviewing cases from colleagues in Operations, Investigations and Supervision, and making a decision as to whether to issue applications covering the following:
- Determination of the lawfulness of certain provisions of LPAs and the severance of unlawful parts
- Removal of attorneys appointed on the ground they are not acting in accordance with their MCA obligations
- Removal of non-compliant deputies
(2) To provide legal advice across the organisation on a wide range of matters including policy, investigations, complaints and where litigation is threatened/brought against OPG.
The work is important, rewarding and challenging in ensuring timely action is taken to prevent abuse. Whilst being based across several different offices, the team works well together as a community, team members are well-supported and there is progression at all levels. For paralegals, there are potential opportunities for support with applications to qualify as lawyers.
We are committed to becoming a Government leader in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance legal operations and service delivery.
Duties and Responsibilities
As part of the Legal Directorate, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality legal and operational support, leading teams, managing complex casework and driving continuous improvement across the service. This varied role combines people management, case management, stakeholder engagement and project delivery to support the Office of the Public Guardian's strategic objectives.
Your responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Lead and manage teams to deliver work within agreed service standards and business plan objectives.
- Manage staff performance, wellbeing, attendance, development and workflow across a range of legal casework.
- Identify training needs and deliver coaching, mentoring and development support to staff.
- Support the implementation and continuous improvement of legal processes, policies, guidance and case management systems.
- Undertake complex case management activities, including drafting, reviewing and issuing legal documents, court forms and correspondence.
- Interpret court orders, identify appropriate next steps and escalate complex legal matters where necessary.
- Work collaboratively with lawyers, Counsel and stakeholders to progress litigation and other legal matters.
- Oversee litigation diaries, court deadlines and hearing preparation, including instructing and booking Counsel.
- Provide guidance and support on complex casework, complaints and operational issues.
- Monitor and manage team inboxes, caseloads and workflow to ensure work is accurately recorded, allocated and progressed.
- Analyse performance information, quality assurance activity, management information and conduct regular touchpoints to monitor delivery, identify risks and trends, support staff development, maintain standards and provide clear updates or recommendations to senior managers.
- Maintain and improve operational guidance, templates, process notes and training materials to support consistent legal operations practice.
- Identify, assess and escalate operational risks, incidents and service pressures, supporting business continuity and clear communication across the team.
- Model inclusive leadership behaviours, support staff engagement activity and contribute to a positive, respectful and high-performing team culture.
- Build effective working relationships across OPG, the Court of Protection and wider MoJ to improve service delivery and respond to changing priorities.
- Lead and contribute to projects, change initiatives and staff engagement activities.
- Support and contribute to the delivery of corporate objectives, governance requirements and strategic priorities.
- Maintain knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, procedures and governance requirements.
- Comply with health and safety responsibilities and undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and role.
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Agreed Expectations
The successful candidate will be expected to work from their base location on a weekly basis in line with current Civil Service requirements, outside of any reasonable adjustments.
Occasional travel to other offices is required.
Skills & Qualifications
Essential Skills
- Experience of leading, managing and developing staff. (lead criteria)
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to analyse information, exercise sound judgement and resolve problems effectively.
- Experience of managing operational workloads, caseloads or projects within a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Experience of delivering change and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint.
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.
- Experience of working within a legal, regulatory, court or government environment.
- Knowledge of Court of Protection or wider court procedures.
- Experience of managing complex casework, complaints or escalated operational issues.
- Experience of analysing performance data, quality assurance activity or management information to monitor delivery, identify risks, improve team performance and prepare clear reports for senior stakeholders.
- A legal qualification or relevant legal studies, including but not limited to a law degree, Graduate Diploma in Law, CILEX, LPC or BPC.
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Application Process
This recruitment will follow the Civil Service Success Profile process. Candidates will be expected to complete the following as part of the application:
- An up-to-date CV detailing your career history. CV’s will be assessed against the essential and desirable skills above.
- Statement of Suitability of no more than 1000 words, to demonstrate your experience against the essential and desirable skills required for this role.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the lead criteria: Experience of leading, managing and developing staff.
Assessment
If you are successful at sift, you will be invited for a practical assessment which will test your technical 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 3:
- Leadership
- Managing a quality service
- Delivering at pace
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.
For further information on benefits of working for OPG, such as our Flexible Working Policy and a FAQ, please check the candidate information pack attached to this advert.
If your application for this role is unsuccessful, we may offer you an alternative role at the same or lower grade should one be available.
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.
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