Legal Clerk

Overview of the Role

The key features of the role are:

• Provision of paralegal services to clients of the law centre under the supervision of a Solicitor/Managing Solicitor, having regard to any service delivery initiatives developed by the Board;

• Proactive management of case files in accordance with Board’s procedures, having full regard to the Board’s Risk Management Strategy, and

• Full engagement and utilisation of the Board’s ICT case management systems to obtain the maximum benefits from these systems;

• Full exploitation of the potential of the use of non-legal means to solve disputes;

• Adherence to the Board’s guidelines and procedures for the delivery of quality legal services.

Essential Entry Requirements:

Candidates must, on or before Monday 24th August 2026 have:

• A legal qualification to at least Diploma level;

and

• at least 2 year’s experience in a legal office

It should be noted by candidates that this position is not open to persons on the Roll of Solicitors.

Competencies

Candidates must be able to demonstrate clearly at interview that they possess the full range of competencies as set out in below.

Professional experience and delivery of legal services

• Demonstrates an understanding of the legislative framework governing civil legal aid in Ireland, and the ability to quickly develop an understanding of the Legal Aid Board, its role, functions and operating environment;

• Demonstrates an understanding of civil law and the role of a paralegal within the Irish legal system and the delivery of legal services.

• Demonstrates an ability to provide a timely, professional and client-focused legal service in accordance with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.

• Makes an active contribution both legal and administrative, to support the efficient, effective and client-focused delivery of legal services.

• Demonstrates the ability to work effectively in a demanding and pressurised environment, managing competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of work.

Analysis & Decision Making

• Effectively deals with a wide range of information sources, investigating all relevant issues

• Understands the practical implication of information in relation to the broader context in which s/he works –procedures, divisional objectives etc.

• Identifies and understands key issues and trends

• Correctly extracts & interprets numerical information, conducting accurate numerical calculations.

• Draws accurate conclusions & makes balanced and fair recommendations backed up with evidence.

Delivery of Results

• Takes ownership of tasks and is determined to see them through to a satisfactory conclusion.

• Is logical and pragmatic in approach, setting objectives and delivering the best possible results with the resources available through effective prioritisation.

• Constructively challenges existing approaches to improve efficient customer service delivery.

• Accurately estimates time parameters for project, making contingencies to overcome obstacles.

• Minimises errors, reviewing learning and ensuring remedies are in place.

• Maximises the input of own team in ensuring effective delivery of results.

• Ensures proper service delivery procedures/protocols are in place and implemented.

Interpersonal & Communication skills

• Modifies communication approach to suit the needs of a situation or audience

• Actively listens to the views of others

• Negotiates, where necessary, in order to reach a satisfactory outcome

• Maintains a focus on dealing with colleagues or clients in an effective, efficient and respectful manner

• Is assertive and professional when dealing with challenging issues

• Expresses self in a clear and articulate manner when speaking and in writing

Drive and Commitment to Public Services Values

• Is committed to the role, consistently striving to perform at a high level

• Demonstrates flexibility and openness to change

• Is resilient and perseveres to achieve objectives despite obstacles or setbacks

• Ensures that customer service is at the heart of own/team work

• Is personally honest and trustworthy

• Acts with integrity and encourages this in others

Principal Conditions of Service

General

The appointment is to a position of Legal Clerk in the Legal Aid Board. Employees of the Legal Aid Bord are Civil Service and are subject to the Civil Service Regulations Acts 1956 to 2005, the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and any other Act for the time being in force relating to the Civil Service.

Pay

€47,944 - €59,423 per year

Tenure and Probation

The appointment is to a permanent position on a probationary contract in the Civil Service.

The probationary contract will be for a period of one year from the date specified on the contract. Notwithstanding this paragraph and the paragraph immediately following below, this will not preclude an extension of the probationary contract in appropriate circumstances.

During the period of your probationary contract, your performance will be subject to review by your supervisor(s) to determine whether you –

(i) Have performed in a satisfactory manner,

(ii) Have been satisfactory in general conduct, and

(iii) Are suitable from the point of view of health with particular regard to sick leave.

Prior to the completion of the probationary contract a decision will be made as to whether or not you will be retained pursuant to Section 5A(2) Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956–2005. This decision will be based on your performance assessed against the criteria set out in (i) to (iii) above. The detail of the probationary process will be explained to you by the Legal Aid Board and you will be given a copy of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s guidelines on probation.

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs in this section, the probationary contract may be terminated at any time prior to the expiry of the term of the contract by either side in accordance with the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 to 2005.

In certain circumstances your contract may be extended and your probation period suspended. The extension must be agreed by both parties.

• The probationary period stands suspended when an employee is absent due to Maternity or Adoptive Leave.

• In relation to an employee absent on Parental Leave or Carers Leave, the employee may require probation to be suspended if the absence is not considered to be consistent with the continuation of the probation.

• Probation may be suspended in cases such as absence due to a non-recurring illness.

The employee may, in these circumstances, make an application to the employer for an extension to the contract period.

All appointees will serve a one-year probationary period. If an appointee who fails to satisfy the conditions of probation has been a serving civil servant immediately prior to their appointment from this competition, the issue of reversion will normally arise. In the event of reversion, an officer will return to a vacancy in their former grade in their former Department.

Duties

Appointees will be required to perform any duties which may be assigned to them from time

to time as appropriate

Outside Employment

The successful candidates may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties or conflict in any way with the position of a Legal Clerk in the Board.

Headquarters

Legal Clerks of the Board normally work in Law Centres established by the Board but may be required to serve in such other locations as may be designated by the Board.

• Notwithstanding an initial assignment to a particular location appointees may be transferred to a different location or assigned to such specific duties at a different location as the Board may determine from time to time so as to enable it to perform its functions under the Act.

• The duration of a transfer and/or assignment to other duties will be determined by the Board.

When absent from home and headquarters on official duty a Legal Clerk will be paid appropriate travelling expenses and subsistence allowances, subject to normal civil service regulations.

Hours of attendance

Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 41 hours and 15 minutes gross or 35 hours net per week. The Legal Clerk may be required to work such additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of their duties subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations. The rate of remuneration payable covers any extra attendance liability that may arise from time to time.

Annual Leave

The annual leave for this position is 23 days, rising to 24 after 5 years’ service and 25 days after 10 years’ service. This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave in the civil service, is based on a five-day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays. Where the position is in a part time capacity, the annual leave allowance will be applied on a pro-rata basis.

Sick Leave

Pay during properly certified sick absence, provided there is no evidence of permanent disability for service, will apply on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of the sick leave circulars for the civil and public service.

Officers who will be paying Class A rate of PRSI will be required to sign a mandate authorising the Department of Social Protection to pay any benefits due under the Social Welfare Acts direct to the Legal Aid Board. Payment during illness will be subject to the officer making the necessary claims for social insurance benefit to the Department of Social Protection within the required time limits.

Superannuation and Retirement

The successful candidate will be offered the appropriate superannuation terms and conditions as prevailing in the Civil Service at the time of being offered an appointment. In general, an appointee who has never worked in the Public Service will be offered appointment based on membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (“Single Scheme”). Full details of the Scheme are at www.singlepensionscheme.gov.ie.

Where the appointee has worked in a pensionable (non-Single Scheme terms) public service job in the 26 weeks prior to appointment or is currently on a career break or special leave with/without pay different terms may apply. The pension entitlement of such appointees will be established in the context of their public service employment history.

Key provisions attaching to membership of the Single Scheme are as follows:

• Pensionable Age: The minimum age at which pension is payable is the same as the age of eligibility for the State Pension, currently 66.

• Retirement Age: Scheme members must retire on reaching the age of 70.

• Career average earnings are used to calculate benefits (a pension and lump sum amount accrue each year and are up-rated each year by reference to CPI).

• Post retirement pension increases are linked to CPI.