The principal responsibility of the Paralegal is to investigate and handle a caseload of files against, and on behalf of, the Chief Constables and Offices of the Police and Crime Commissioners of both Forces, and to provide general advice as required by the organisations. Paralegals report to Legal Advisors within the Legal Services Department between Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police. The role holders support Legal Advisors and Senior Legal Advisors in other contentious matters.

Paralegals operate within the three teams that exist within the Legal Services Department; Litigation, Operations and Vulnerability. The skillset required within each area is commensurate with the level of work across the entire remit of the role. Each Paralegal will primarily work within one of the three teams but will be required to undertake work in the other areas when necessary, according to business need.

Litigation

The role holder will investigate and generally handle a caseload of pre-action civil claims against, and on behalf of, the Chief Constable, including pre-action portal claims and inquest advice files to review and carry out an initial risk assessment. The role holder will also support Legal Advisors and Senior Legal Advisors in other contentious matters such as Inquests, Judicial Reviews and Employment Tribunals, to include attending Courts/Tribunal to assist Legal Advisors or Counsel.

Operations

The role holder will investigate and generally handle a caseload of operational matters, including disclosure matters in the Family Court and operational applications such as Football Banning Orders and Dangerous Dog applications. The role holder will also support Legal Advisors and Senior Legal Advisors with handling internal misconduct hearings, providing commercial advice and in other operational matters such as Proceeds of Crime Act applications, Firearms Licensing and Liquor Licensing, to include attending hearings to assist Legal Advisors or Counsel.

Vulnerability

The role holder will work directly with Legal Advisors, police officers, police staff and partner agencies to identify and support the compilation and presentation of applications for civil preventative orders including Domestic Violence Protection Orders, Closure Orders, Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, Sexual Risk Orders and Stalking Protection Orders. The role holder will also support Legal Advisors in the development and provision of proactive training.  The role holder will develop relationships with partner agencies such as the CPS and review/respond to statistical data to support Legal Advisors in targeting areas where particular types of offending are significant.

In addition to their work within the relevant team, as set out above, all role holders will also provide general advice by way of the ‘duty advice scheme’ to officers and staff throughout the two Forces, as part of which the role holder must undertake thorough research and draft an appropriate and legally sound response within required timeframes. 

In particular to:

• Liaise with, advise and influence the decision making of staff at all levels of the Forces and OPCC, including the Chief Constable, members of the Executive, Police and Crime Commissioner and the Head of Alliance Audit, Insurance and Strategic Risk Management.
• Research and prepare legally sound advice on a wide range of different legal issues, as required by the organisation and within stipulated timeframes, including as part of the ‘duty advice scheme’ and within ongoing policing operations, overseen by a Legal Advisor
• Draft legally sound documentation, including court applications, written advice memos on a range of legal subjects and designated authorities, overseen by a Legal Advisor.
• Assist Legal Advisors and Senior Legal Advisors in handling legal proceedings in Courts and Tribunals. This includes investigating claims, collating documents, conducting research, instructing Counsel, taking statements, assisting with the preparation of Court papers including compiling bundles, analysing legal costs, drafting points of dispute and pursuing debt recovery.
• Make non-contentious applications at a range of different courts and attend court on straight forward matters, including the Magistrates’ Courts, County Courts and Coroner’s Courts.