Job Description

Devonshires has been based in the City of London for more than 150 years. From our offices in
London, Leeds, Birmingham, and Colchester we provide legal services throughout England and
Wales. Our clients range from some of the world's largest multi-national corporations to private
individuals. We act for a significant number of charities, housing associations and Regulators.
We would describe ourselves as "full service" with specialists in Commercial/Corporate, Civil
Litigation, Housing, Employment, Real Estate & Projects & Property Development. Over the past
few years, we have grown significantly and now have over 350 employees and a growing
international reach.
Job Purpose:
We are recruiting a Paralegal to work within our Housing Management and Property Litigation
team in the Birmingham office. The successful candidate will assist the Solicitors with their
work as well as building their own caseload. Ideally, they will have Housing Management or
Property Litigation experience, but this is not essential.
The role will involve providing advice and assistance to Registered Providers of Social Housing
and private landlords in a broad range of matters including possession proceedings based on
rent arrears, breach of tenancy, anti-social behaviour and unauthorised occupiers, injunction
proceedings, disrepair claims, and claims against leaseholders including forfeiture.
The Team:
The team, which is one of the largest in England & Wales, consists of a total of 72 fee earners,
including 13 Partners, 27 Solicitors and 32 Paralegals, with a wealth of experience in this field.
Our Housing Management and Property Litigation Department acts for over 100 Registered
Providers (RPs) in England and Wales advising on all aspects of housing management and
property litigation advice.
We believe that effective housing management is key to our client's performance as social
landlords.
We also act for private organisations, landowners, developers, investors, charities, and local
authorities.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
This is not an exhaustive list, and from time to time it may be necessary to vary these to meet
the department and business needs.

• Assist solicitors and other fee earners in the day to day running of files;
• Draft and prepare claim forms, pleadings, and witness statements for the County

Court, ensuring all are prepared as soon in advance as possible;

• Efficiently manage a large number of deadlines relating to a variety of cases at any

one time;

• Prepare trial bundles;
• Liaise with Court prior to trials to ensure necessary paperwork is sent and received

and follow up on late/lost paperwork;

• Attending Court to assist Barristers and other fee-earners;
• Conduct advocacy in the County Court on routine matters;
• Assist with enquiries made by clients, Barristers, and other fee earners, chasing

paperwork where necessary;

• Organise and maintain tidy and accurate files both in soft and hard copy;
• Occasionally undertake site visits;
• Meet targets that may be set from time to time by Line Manager;
• Follow department procedures, the Solicitor's Accounts Rules and the Firm's

policies and procedures as detailed in the Office Manual.
Person Specification
Essential skills:

• Minimum 2:2 degree or equivalent in Law (or appropriate conversion);
• Ability to conduct effective legal research;
• Possess solid drafting skills;
• Possess the ability to prepare pleadings and witness statements for the Court;
• Excellent administration skills, organisation, including own diary management;
• Competent in all MS applications, to include Word, Excel and Outlook;
• Confident communication skills at all levels with the ability to communicate in

"plain English";

• Have a methodical approach, with good attention to detail;
• Possess a strong customer service ethic with the ability to empathise with clients;
• Good time management skills and able to deal with more than one task at a time;
• Able to work with limited supervision;
• Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines;
• Able to prioritise a heavy workload;
• Be a supportive team player and willing to assist others;
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, tenacious and approachable;
• Be willing to learn;
• Be assertive and confident with dealing with people at all levels;
• Be calm and professional at all times;
• Be punctual and flexible. If you have capacity, you may be required to help other

departments, or team members.
Desirable skills:

• Successful completion of the LPC or studying the LPC part time;
• Have experience of dealing with RPs/ private landlords;
• Some experience in a similar role;
• Have experience of dealing with the County Court;
• Knowledge of DMS (Document Management System);
• Knowledge of Partners for Windows (time recording system).

If you would like further details or wish to apply for this position please email your CV and covering letter direct to
and complete the diversity monitoring questionnaire which can be accessed by
All recruiters must submit their candidates' CV via our HR team or using the recruitment inbox listed above. Only HR can agree terms
of business with third parties, provide the appropriate privacy notice to be shared with candidates and ensure that the firm maintains
its commitments to LEXCEL, ISO27001 and Equality Diversity & Inclusion.
Devonshires Solicitors LLP is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace free from
discrimination and harassment. As such all job applicants, employees, partners and third parties who come into contact with us,
will receive equal treatment, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, trade union activities,
pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We welcome applications from groups where we are
currently under-represented. For this reason, we ask that all candidates complete the in
complete confidence for statistical purposes in order that we can effectively monitor how well our Diversity procedures are
working. To review our policies on Diversity & Inclusion and Dignity at Work please visit our recruitment pages at

Skills Required