About LawRight - Court and Tribunal Services

LawRight uses strategic pro bono to deliver free assistance in civil law matters to people in Queensland who cannot afford legal help. LawRight’s Court and Tribunal Services (CTS) is a statewide service that assists individuals, primarily self-represented litigants, with proceedings in the:

• District Court, Supreme Court, and Court of Appeal;
• Federal Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia; and
• Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).

CTS coordinates pro bono resources to provide unbundled legal assistance, pro bono referrals and mediations, and representation in selected matters. The QCAT office assists with current or potential proceedings in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. We assist with the following types of QCAT matters:

• Reviews of decisions about:
  • Blue Cards
  • Disability Worker Screenings
  • Child Safety Decisions (however, not proceedings in the Childrens Court)
  • Victims Assist Payments
  • State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER)
  • Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
• Anti-discrimination
• Right to Information and information privacy
• Disciplinary matters for health practitioners
• Guardianship and administration matters; and
• Appeals and reopenings related to the above matters 

About the Role

We are recruiting for a paralegal to support the QCAT office of Lawright's Court and Tribunal Services on a full-time basis. The paralegal will work closely with the Lawyer and Senior Lawyer.

This role is suitable for an experienced paralegal, a penultimate- or final-year law student, or a law graduate currently completing Practical Legal Training.

Key Duties

The key duties of the role include:

• Undertaking general reception and administrative duties including day-to-day management of the CTS office.
• Assisting with answering of telephones, including responding to and managing general enquiries and enquiries from prospective clients, volunteer lawyers and other stakeholders.
• Assisting potential clients to complete the intake process including the LawRight application form (if required) and provide necessary documents.
• Undertaking an initial assessment of the eligibility of applicants for assistance.
• Making appointments for clients and liaise with CTS solicitors and volunteer solicitors and barristers as necessary to ensure conflict checks are undertaken and all documents and materials are briefed to the solicitors in a timely manner each week.
• Opening, maintaining and closing client files, and maintaining the client database, with general direction from the supervising Lawyer, Senior Lawyer and CTS Director.
• Developing and maintaining knowledge on the processes and procedures of the jurisdictions in which the CTS office operates, and provide this information to clients and potential clients under the supervision of the CTS solicitors.
• Assisting with legal research and the drafting of correspondence and briefs to volunteer solicitors and barristers as requested.
• Assisting CTS solicitors to manage, operate and otherwise run programs connected to the CTS office, including student programs and duty lawyer schemes.
• Assisting CTS solicitors to organise volunteer support, including liaising with partner law firms and preparing rosters for volunteer solicitors and barristers.
• Assisting with the development and maintenance of legal and other resources for the CTS office under the supervision of the CTS solicitors, including maintaining LawRight’s webpage.
• Assisting with the preparation of training, promotional, and law and policy reform materials.
• Participating in the general activities of LawRight and assist with the general running of the LawRight office.
• Undertaking other tasks as requested.

A full position description is attached.

Skills and Capabilities

• High level spoken and written communication skills
• High level organisational and computer skills
• Experience working in a legal office
• Client/customer service experience, with experience working with marginalised or disadvantaged individuals an advantage
• Knowledge of the legal issues faced by self-represented litigants and people experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage.

Remuneration and Benefits

• $84,000 - $88,000 per annum (depending on experience), plus super and attractive salary packaging options 
• 5 weeks of annual leave per annum plus leave loading as well as additional paid leave during the Christmas closure
• Long service leave available after 6 years of continuous service
• Full-time staff work a 36.25-hour week, and we offer flexible working arrangements with the ability to work from home on agreed days
• Fulltime permanent contract

Next steps

Click 'Apply now' to submit your application. 

Any questions about the role can be directed to Ben Tuckett ([email protected]) using the subject line: Paralegal - Court and Tribunal Services - Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal enquiry via EthicalJobs.

LawRight encourages First Nations applicants, people from diverse backgrounds, and people with disabilities to apply and seeks to be an inclusive and welcoming employer.