Legal assistant

Band 4 · Legal assistant · 277 job evaluation points

Legal assistants support lawyers on a range of matters, preparing documents from templates, carrying out defined research, and managing the practical steps of contracts and cases.

Responsibilities

Prepare standard agreements, such as non-disclosure and data sharing agreements, from approved templates.
Prepare bundles, chronologies, and signing packs for contracts and cases.
Carry out defined legal research and summarise the results for lawyers.
Collect documents and evidence for claims and information requests.
Track external legal spending against budgets and report on it.
Train legal administrators in routine tasks.

Skills

Skill	Expected level	What this level means
Legal administrationThis reference	Practitioner (3)	You can: run the legal team's administration and improve its processes report on workload, spending on external lawyers, and turnaround times administer legal technology, such as matter management and e-signature tools
Legal researchThis reference	Working (2)	You can: research a defined legal question and summarise the sources clearly check that sources are current and authoritative keep precedent and know-how libraries up to date
Contract drafting and reviewThis reference	Working (2)	You can: review routine agreements, such as non-disclosure and simple services agreements, against the organisation's standards mark up contracts and explain the changes spot clauses that need a lawyer's review, such as unlimited liability or automatic renewal
Litigation and dispute resolutionThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: explain the main stages of a claim or dispute log claims and track deadlines accurately
Information and data lawThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: explain the basic principles of data protection and confidentiality recognise information requests and data breaches and route them correctly
Communicating informationUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: listen to the needs of design and business stakeholders and interpret information take part in discussions within a multidisciplinary team be an advocate for the team externally, and can manage differing perspectives shape and share communications relevant to the audience
Information governance and data protectionThis reference	Working (2)	You can: apply data protection principles to your work contribute to data protection impact assessments handle information requests and records correctly
Understanding health and care servicesThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: describe the main parts of the health and care system and the services the organisation supports explain why patient safety and confidentiality matter in your work

Typical qualifications and experience

A legal assistant or paralegal qualification at intermediate level, or equivalent experience.

Band 4 outline

Knowledge: Detailed knowledge of the work area, typically from a foundation degree, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience.
Autonomy: Works within guidelines; resolves most day-to-day problems; manager available for advice.
Scope: Own work and a defined service or process.
Leadership: May supervise a small team or coordinate others' work.
Accountability: Delivery of a defined service or process.

Job evaluation (illustrative)

Factor	Level	Level summary	Points
Communication and relationship skills	3	Gives routine information needing tact or persuasion, or complex or sensitive information, or straightforward training to groups.	21
Knowledge, training, and experience	4	A range of procedures, mostly non-routine, needing intermediate theory (for example a foundation degree or equivalent experience).	88
Analytical and judgemental skills	3	Judgements on a range of facts or situations needing analysis or comparison of options.	27
Planning and organisational skills	2	Plans straightforward tasks or activities, some ongoing.	15
Physical skills	3	Developed skills needing speed or accuracy, such as advanced keyboard use.	27
Responsibility for patient and client care	1	Helps patients, clients, or relatives during incidental contact.	4
Responsibility for policy and service development	2	Implements policies for own area and proposes changes to its practices.	12
Responsibility for financial and physical resources	2	Handles cash or valuables, looks after equipment used by others, controls stock, or authorises small payments.	12
Responsibility for people	2	Supervises or coordinates staff day to day, trains others regularly, or gives basic HR advice.	12
Responsibility for information resources	3	Takes formal minutes, regularly writes reports or queries, or maintains information systems as a significant duty.	16
Responsibility for research and development	1	Carries out surveys or audits for own work; occasionally takes part in research or testing.	5
Freedom to act	2	Follows standard procedures and precedent; someone is usually available to ask; work may be checked.	12
Physical effort	2	Frequent sitting or standing in a restricted position, or occasional light to moderate effort.	7
Mental effort	2	Frequent concentration on predictable work, or occasional concentration on unpredictable work.	7
Emotional effort	1	Rare exposure, or occasional indirect exposure, to distressing circumstances.	5
Working conditions	2	Occasional unpleasant conditions, frequent travel or outdoor work, or near-continuous screen use on most days.	7
Total (Band 4: 271 to 325)			277