Bates Wells

Paralegal

• To thrive in this role, you will be an experienced immigration paralegal. The successful candidate will be confident in assisting and providing a range of legal support and administration to partners, fee earners, and other legal professionals.
• Perform legal and factual research, reviewing case facts, identifying relevant laws, and ensuring all pertinent information is considered.
• Review legal documents.
• Organise and analyse information, cross-checking and validating details.
• Prepare written reports and draft legal documents.
• Prepare correspondence and letters of advice for fee earners’ review.
• Research application processes in the UK and abroad.
• Check legal forms and documents for accuracy.
• Organise and track case files.
• Review and monitor new and updated regulations.
• Correspond with clients.
• Proofread legal documents.
• Prepare application packs and upload supporting documents online.
• Assess job eligibility for sponsorship under immigration rules to advise corporate clients.
• Assist in preparing notes and presentations for knowledge or business development events, such as webinars.
• Help draft blogs and articles for business development.
• Assist with preparing costs estimates, tracking costs throughout a matter and billing.
• Support Partners and Solicitors in the management of case loads under supervision:
• Assist with all aspects of cases and ad hoc duties for any given matter.
• Advance transactions in the best interests of the client.
• Maintain professionalism and adhere to the highest standards of the profession.
• Carry out duties assigned by partners or colleagues diligently and follow all reasonable instructions.
• Treat all firm and client information as strictly confidential.
• Client care and support:
• Assist in providing high-quality legal service and maintain strong client relationships.
• Manage client expectations regarding deadlines, costs, and timing.
• Ensure timely handling of matters.
• Written communication and drafting:
• Produce legally accurate letters of advice to clients under supervision.
• Correspond with clients daily via email.
• Circulate internal legal updates to fee earners.
• Produce accurate attendance notes documenting calls/meetings.
• Report on research results.
• Create and update legal precedents for the Immigration Department.
• Prepare applications for the Home Office, including appeal grounds and legal precedents for internal use.
• Prepare first drafts of application forms, advice, and conduct legal research for fee earners.
• Verbal communication:
• Communicate daily with clients, including senior officials and high-profile clients, under supervision.
• Handle telephone inquiries from prospective clients and assist with the new client callback rota.
• Take instructions from fee earners.
• Communicate findings and issues to team members following research.
• Interviewing and advising:
• Record attendance notes in client meetings.
• Complete follow-up work from meetings as instructed.
• Take initial instructions from clients via phone/email, analyse facts, and record client objectives clearly for fee earners.
• Research and report to fee earners on methods to achieve client objectives, considering law, priorities, commercial practicalities, and timing, then communicate results to the client.
• Research:
• Research immigration case law, legislation, Home Office, and overseas procedures using legal databases, primary sources, and consulate/embassy websites.
• Apply complex legal issues to client concerns, reporting to fee earners on methods to achieve client objectives, considering law, priorities, practicalities, and timing, resulting in detailed advice for colleagues to pass to clients.
• Development:
• Participate in team meetings.
• Attend required internal and external training.
• Stay updated on legal developments to maintain work standards.

Immigration Paralegal