Paralegal

We’re looking for an enthusiastic individual with legal experience to join us as a Paralegal and provide the support we need to help us deliver an effective local service. This is an exciting opportunity, and you will play a key part in standing up to the housing emergency. 

About the Role 

You will assist our solicitors to maintain an active litigation caseload under Legal Aid to enable homeless people, as well as those with housing and related problems, to enforce their rights. Your role will include carrying out casework as directed by the Solicitors, taking instructions and witness statements, drafting letters, making applications and providing court representation. You will also ensure time recording and income targets are met. 

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit. 

About you 

You will need a sound understanding of housing and homelessness law and the housing issues people in Norfolk are facing. You have excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing and can adapt your communication style to your audience as well as being familiar with case management systems to record your work. If you have knowledge of Legal Aid this would be an advantage but is not essential. You enjoy collaborating as part of a team, respond quickly and positively to change and are not afraid to challenge the status quo and introduce new ideas when appropriate. 

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme. Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own. 

About the Team 

Our Legal team is based around England and is made up of over 100 people, delivering housing advice and litigation services for our clients. We work closely with other teams in Shelter Services, taking referrals from them including certified litigation work, controlled work and as part of the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service. 

The role is based in our Norfolk Hub, where we have provided housing advice for over 25 years, with offices in Norwich and Kings Lynn and Court Desks in Norwich, Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth County Courts. We work within communities to understand and respond to the housing issues they have and work in partnership to deliver our priorities: supporting people with additional needs, combatting discrimination and disrepair in the private rented sector and fair access to and delivery of social housing throughout Norfolk. 

About Shelter 

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency. 

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve. 

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.