Paralegal (1 position) (TB00162) at North West University

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

• The position is being funded in terms of an agreement entered into between the Faculty of Law and the Association of University Legal Aid Institutions Trust (the AULAI Trust) for the provision of access to justice and legal services in the North-West Province. The appointment is made for a fixed-term period of 12 months.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:           

• Legal Services, community engagement, social responsiveness:
• Represent clients in any matter assigned (criminal and civil matters).
• Plan and schedule day-to-day tasks and diarise all active client files.
• Draft letters, documents and pleadings at the request of the supervisor.
• Appear in Courts and tribunals where applicable.
• Organise meetings and consultations.
• Arrange trial dates.
• Receive and attend to clients.
• Make copies and bind documents where required.
• Take minutes at meetings and consultations and place on client file.
• Send and receive correspondence (fax, email, etc.), acknowledge receipt and file on relevant client file
• Negotiate and mediate on behalf of clients.
• Furnish advice and opinions to clients in matters entrusted to you.
• Stay abreast of and research the law and case law of relevance to matters entrusted to you.
• Avoid prescription and default judgements.
• Make follow-up on urgent matters and respond to enquiries timeously.
• Draw files on the request of the supervisor
• Keep register of new files, time utilisation and telephone utilisation.
• Manage telephone calls and convey messages to colleagues.
• Maintain a record of work performance by completing monthly time sheets.
• Maintain a file register of all files handed to you.
• Comply with office instructions, prescripts and directives from supervisors and line managers
• Attend all required training.

Occupational Health and Safety:

• Under health and safety law, each employee has the duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by the former’s actions or omissions at work.
• Therefore, each employee must co-operate with management, OHS officials and colleagues to help everyone meet their legal requirements, whilst upholding and maintaining general occupational health and safety standards and practices.

Assist with assessment, mentoring and supervision of students (WIL / SL)

• Assist with the assessment of practical assignments for Legal Practice and Law Clinic.
• Mentor and supervise students working in the Law Clinic.
• Adhere to deadlines, policies and guidelines of the NWU

Minimum requirements

• An LLB (NQF 7) in Law.
• Basic knowledge of advocacy, consultation, administration, drafting and file management.
• A valid driver's license.
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience working in legal services.

ADDED ADVANTAGES:

• A certificate in mediation.
• A minimum of one (1) years’ experience working in mediation.

KEY FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Legal language skills
• Computer literacy in MS Word and Office, as well as e-mail, internet and electronic retrieval of legal sources
• Good communication skills (verbal and written)
• Demonstrate language proficiency in order to function optimally in the various multilingual environment of the NWU
• Sound knowledge of consultation, administration and file management skills.

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Good interpersonal relations
• The ability to accommodate multiculturalism

Apply by: 10 November 2025