Job Overview
Job Title: Criminal Secretary / Criminal Paralegal
Location: Shrewsbury
Salary: Dependent on experience and qualifications
Reference ID: Criminal Secretary / Criminal Paralegal – Shrewsbury
Richard George & Jenkins is seeking a highly organised, proactive and motivated Criminal Secretary / Criminal Paralegal to provide administrative, secretarial and casework support to our criminal law department in Shrewsbury.
The successful candidate will ideally have previous experience working within a criminal defence department and will be familiar with criminal legal aid procedures, police station and court work, and the administrative systems used in criminal practice, including CJSM, CCDCS, Common Platform and similar platforms.
A law degree is preferable, although strong relevant experience within a criminal law environment will also be considered. This role may be particularly suitable for a candidate seeking to develop a career in criminal defence practice.
Training opportunities may be available for the right candidate, subject to qualifications, performance, business needs and regulatory requirements. These may include support towards Police Station Accreditation, the LPC/SQE, and, where appropriate, consideration for a training contract.
Duties
The role will include, but is not limited to:
- Providing secretarial, administrative and paralegal support to solicitors, accredited police station representatives, fee earners and other members of the criminal department.
- Assisting with the progression of criminal cases under supervision.
- Preparing, formatting and amending correspondence, attendance notes, court documents, witness statements, instructions to counsel and other legal documents.
- Taking initial enquiries from clients and assisting with client onboarding, subject to supervision.
- Using criminal justice systems including CJSM, CCDCS, Common Platform, and other relevant online court, prosecution and defence portals.
- Managing incoming and outgoing secure communications via CJSM and ensuring prompt allocation to the relevant fee earner.
- Opening, maintaining and closing client files in accordance with firm procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Assisting with criminal legal aid administration, including preparation of forms, checking client details, maintaining records and liaising with the Legal Aid Agency where required.
- Assisting with preparation for police station attendances, magistrates’ court hearings, Crown Court proceedings and conferences with counsel.
- Diary management, including listing hearings, police station attendances, prison visits, conferences, conferences with counsel and client appointments.
- Liaising with clients, courts, police stations, prosecution agencies, counsel, experts, interpreters and other third parties.
- Taking telephone calls from clients, police stations, courts and professional contacts in a professional and confidential manner.
- Assisting with urgent criminal matters, including custody cases, remand hearings and time-sensitive court deadlines.
- Preparing briefs and instructions to counsel, including electronic and paper bundles where required.
- Maintaining accurate electronic and paper filing systems.
- Uploading, downloading and saving case papers, evidence, disclosure, court orders and prosecution materials.
- Reviewing and organising case papers, disclosure and evidence under supervision.
- Assisting in the preparation of trial bundles, sentencing bundles and other hearing documentation.
- Ensuring deadlines are monitored and complied with, including court directions, legal aid deadlines and internal case management dates.
- Supporting fee earners with billing, time recording and file reviews where required.
- Ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data protection obligations at all times.
- Providing general administrative support to the department as needed.
Essential Requirements
The successful candidate should have:
- Strong typing, document preparation and/or case preparation skills.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a busy workload.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
- The ability to deal professionally and sensitively with clients, including vulnerable clients and those involved in stressful criminal proceedings.
- The ability to work under pressure and meet urgent deadlines.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and legal case management software.
- A clear understanding of confidentiality, data protection and professional conduct requirements.
- The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Desirable Requirements
The following would be advantageous:
- A law degree or other relevant legal qualification.
- Previous experience in a criminal defence firm.
- Experience with criminal legal aid billing and Legal Aid Agency procedures.
- Existing or developing knowledge of police station procedures, magistrates’ court proceedings and Crown Court case progression.
- Experience with CJSM, CCDCS, Common Platform, LEAP or other legal case management software.
- Experience preparing electronic bundles and working with digital evidence.
- Understanding of compliance obligations in a regulated law firm environment.
Training and Career Development
Training opportunities may be available for the right candidate, depending on qualifications, performance, aptitude, business requirements and regulatory eligibility.
Potential opportunities may include:
- Training and support towards Police Station Accreditation.
- Support and flexibility for candidates undertaking the LPC or SQE.
- Supervised paralegal experience within a criminal defence department.
- Consideration for a training contract, subject to performance, qualification status, business needs and availability.
- Training on internal systems, criminal justice platforms and legal aid procedures.
Any training, accreditation support or progression opportunity will be considered on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.
Personal Qualities
The ideal candidate will be:
- Professional, reliable and discreet.
- Calm under pressure.
- Proactive and able to use initiative.
- Highly organised and methodical.
- Client-focused and approachable.
- Able to prioritise urgent criminal matters effectively.
- Flexible and willing to assist with changing departmental needs.
- Motivated to develop a career in criminal law.
What We Offer
- A supportive working environment within an established legal practice.
- Training in firm systems and procedures where required.
- Potential career development opportunities for suitable candidates.
- The opportunity to work within a busy and experienced criminal law department.
- Salary dependent on experience and qualifications.
- Potential flexibility depending on the needs of the department.
- 3x death in service benefit.
- Health cash plan.
Schedule
- Monday to Friday
- In-person work based in Shrewsbury
- Full-time or part-time arrangements may be considerer
Equal Opportunities
Richard George & Jenkins is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all employees.
Application Details
Job Title: Criminal Secretary / Criminal Paralegal
Location: Shrewsbury
Salary: Dependent on experience and qualifications
Reference ID: Criminal Secretary / Criminal Paralegal – Shrewsbury
Expected Start Date: 1st August 2026, subject to any notice period required.
Application Deadline: 20th July 2026
Pay: £24,420.00-£30,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
