The role

We are recruiting for a paralegal to support the QCAT office on a part-time basis (4 days per week).

About LawRight

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
• Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT)

LawRight’s Court and Tribunal Services coordinates pro bono resources to provide unbundled legal assistance, pro bono referrals and mediations, and representation in selected matters. The QCAT office assists with the following matters in the QCAT jurisdiction:

• Reviews of government decisions about:
  • Blue Cards;
  • Disability Worker Screening;
  • Child Safety;
  • Victims Assist;
  • State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER); and
  • Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA);
• Guardianship and administration;
• Anti-discrimination;
• Right to Information and Information Privacy;
• Disciplinary matters for health practitioners; and
• Appeals and re-openings.

Although we have a broader practice area as outlined above, the current priority areas for the QCAT office are reviews of decisions about Blue Cards, Guardianship and Anti-Discrimination.

Key duties

• Undertake general reception and administrative duties including day-to-day management of the CTS office.
• Assist with answering of telephones, including responding to and managing general enquiries and enquiries from prospective clients, volunteer lawyers and other stakeholders.
• Assist potential clients to complete the intake process including the LawRight application form (if required) and provide necessary documents.
• Undertake an initial assessment of the eligibility of applicants for assistance.
• Make 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.
• Open, maintain and close client files, and maintain the client database, with general direction from the supervising Lawyer, Senior Lawyer and CTS Director.
• Develop and maintain 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.
• Assist with legal research and the drafting of correspondence and briefs to volunteer solicitors and barristers as requested.
• Assist CTS solicitors to manage, operate and otherwise run programs connected to the CTS office, including student programs and duty lawyer schemes, such as the Enforcement Hearing Duty Lawyer Service, LawRight’s Settlement Conference Program and the QCAT Duty Lawyer Scheme.
• Assist CTS solicitors to organise volunteer support, including liaising with partner law firms and preparing rosters for volunteer solicitors and barristers.
• Assist 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.
• Assist with the preparation of training, promotional, and law and policy reform materials.
• Participate in the general activities of LawRight and assist with the general running of the LawRight office.
• Undertake other tasks as requested.

Skills and capabilities

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.

Remuneration and benefits

As LawRight is a public benevolent institution staff are eligible to salary sacrifice a portion of their base salary (currently capped at $30,000) and ‘meal entertainment’ expenses.

• 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
• Contract until 30 June 2025 with hope for extension subject to funding. The position is planned as a 4 day per week role but other requests for part-time will be considered (with a preference for at least 3 days per week).

A position description is attached.

Questions about the role and applications can be directed to [email protected] using the subject line: Paralegal - Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Office 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.