LawRight is the primary facilitator of structured pro bono legal services in Queensland. LawRight’s Court and Tribunal Services (CTS) coordinate pro bono resources to provide unbundled legal assistance, pro bono referrals and mediations for self-represented parties, together with representation in selected matters.

CTS has offices in the State Courts (District and Supreme Courts and Court of Appeal), the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and the Federal Courts (Federal Circuit Court and Family Court and Federal Court).

LawRight also operates an Enforcement Hearing Duty Lawyer service on Wednesday mornings in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for debt enforcement hearings, representing debtors.

We are recruiting for a 4 day per week paralegal to support the Enforcement Hearing Duty Lawyer service and the general operations of the State Courts office.

Duties include:

• attend Enforcement Hearings at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday mornings;
• manage client intake;
• coordinate volunteer barristers;
• train and supervise student volunteers;
• maintain LawRight processes, databases and resources;
• support LawRight staff and volunteer lawyers/barristers;
• undertake case assessment; contribute to research and policy development; and
• participate in the general activities of LawRight.

The service paralegal also assists with the management and operation of the Enforcement Hearing Duty Lawyer service, including stakeholder engagement with the court and registry, as well as recruitment, training and general support of student volunteers and volunteer barristers connected to the service.

The service paralegal will also attend court on Wednesday mornings with student volunteers and will complete intake with clients and assist Counsel appearing at the Enforcement Hearing. The service paralegal will then be responsible for finalising file notes and other correspondence following on from the court appearance under the supervision of the Supervising Solicitor of the service.

A more detailed description of duties is included in the attached position description.

Qualifications:

Senior law student or experienced paralegal, understanding of issues relating to self-representation and related disadvantage, or ability to quickly acquire it desirable; strong organisational and communication skills essential. Would suit a candidate approaching graduation or currently completing Practical Legal Training.

Benefits: Eligibility to salary sacrifice up to $35,000 (grossed up) of income to personal and entertainment expenses. Leave loading and five weeks annual leave pro rata plus 11% superannuation.

Part-time: 4 days per week.

Term: 6-month contract with view to extension subject to ongoing funding. Details can be discussed further at interview. Must be available Wednesdays.

Contact: For information about the position, please see the position description.