Apprentice Paralegal Review
at Irwin Mitchell
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Legal/Law
London
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
4.3 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
3.6/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
On a daily basis, I correspond with individuals including clients, courts, counsel, other solicitors and internally.
I prepare bundles and briefs to counsel to assist with hearings.
As well as this, I am tasked with filing forms, including divorce petitions as per the clients instructions.
I attend client meetings and hearings, which is my favourite part of the role.
I prepare bundles and briefs to counsel to assist with hearings.
As well as this, I am tasked with filing forms, including divorce petitions as per the clients instructions.
I attend client meetings and hearings, which is my favourite part of the role.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I love my apprenticeship. Although most of it has been working from home at this stage, I feel like a valued member of the team and a significant contributor to team objectives and targets.
The variety of work that I undertake is precious experience, which is so valuable in an already saturated job market.
The variety of work that I undertake is precious experience, which is so valuable in an already saturated job market.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have developed my verbal and written communication skills during the course of my apprenticeship. I communicate with a variety of individuals on a daily basis and so it was inevitable that I would be able to improve these skills.
I have definitely developed my confidence in my abilities whilst I have been working.
I have definitely developed my confidence in my abilities whilst I have been working.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
My programme is well structured. I take 20% of my working week as a study day (1 day a week) to focus on my assessments, assignments and knowledge.
My programme is completely remote (even before the pandemic) and so that can have its troubles, however this does not impede on my overall apprenticeship experience.
My programme is completely remote (even before the pandemic) and so that can have its troubles, however this does not impede on my overall apprenticeship experience.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I receive a good amount of support from my employer. I am kept up to date with cases and their progression and they take an interest in my apprenticeship and studies.
As a firm, we get regular updates via email and have done since the start of the pandemic and otherwise. I think this is a great way to keep everyone working as a team.
As a firm, we get regular updates via email and have done since the start of the pandemic and otherwise. I think this is a great way to keep everyone working as a team.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
I receive support from my training provider. My Legal Assessor and Training is always happy to answer any queries that I have, and my webinar tutor takes great interest in my studies.
It might be easier if we were working in our offices so physical visits from our LATs was possible, but obviously this is not possible at the moment due to lockdown.
It might be easier if we were working in our offices so physical visits from our LATs was possible, but obviously this is not possible at the moment due to lockdown.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I am shocked how much my studies correspond with my practical work. My studies are there to either introduce me to a new topic before I cover it in practice, or consolidate my knowledge.
I feel much more confident with my job due to the studies that I undertake, as my studies act as constant revision.
I feel much more confident with my job due to the studies that I undertake, as my studies act as constant revision.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
During lock down, it has been difficult to take part in extra curricular activities, however the team has definitely made the best out of a bad situation.
We conduct remote business development meetings within the firm and externally also, which generates a wider client base.
We have undertaken social drinks events and chocolate tasting to celebrate team achievements.
We conduct remote business development meetings within the firm and externally also, which generates a wider client base.
We have undertaken social drinks events and chocolate tasting to celebrate team achievements.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Irwin Mitchell to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Irwin Mitchell is a great place to work and is so supportive to young and upcoming members of the team.
There are so many career progression opportunities at Irwin Mitchell which is fantastic from a training and continuous professional development perspective.
Despite working from home, Irwin Mitchell continues to include young members of the team in a range of tasks and activities to make sure we are constantly learning.
There are so many career progression opportunities at Irwin Mitchell which is fantastic from a training and continuous professional development perspective.
Despite working from home, Irwin Mitchell continues to include young members of the team in a range of tasks and activities to make sure we are constantly learning.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Irwin Mitchell?
Be yourself on the application. Avoid the generic mainstream 'hard working and organised individual' sentence on your personal statement.
Make sure your statement is a true reflection of your personality and attitude to work.
In the interview, if you have to do a presentation, make sure you have a genuine interest in what you present. Let your personality and interest shine through. Don't choose a topic just because you think its safe or will be well received. Think outside the box!
Make sure your statement is a true reflection of your personality and attitude to work.
In the interview, if you have to do a presentation, make sure you have a genuine interest in what you present. Let your personality and interest shine through. Don't choose a topic just because you think its safe or will be well received. Think outside the box!
