Paralegal

About the GMC

We work with doctors, physician associates (PAs), anaesthesia associates (AAs), those they care for and other stakeholders to support good, safe patient care across the UK. We set the standards doctors, PAs, AAs and their educators need to meet, and help them achieve them. If there are concerns these standards may not be met or that public confidence in doctors, PAs, or AAs may be at risk, we can investigate, and take action if needed.

The role

Are you looking for a role where you can apply your legal skills to really make a difference and help to protect the public, working at the General Medical Council?

Would you like to become a specialist in the fascinating and evolving area of professional regulatory law, working on cases with real purpose and which are uniquely varied and sometimes high-profile?

If so, you may be interested in becoming an essential part of our large but close-knit, in-house legal team of 165 solicitors, paralegals, support staff and leaders

Paralegals play a leading role in working directly with solicitors to investigate, progress and prepare cases that may be referred to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal service (MPTS).

Our Paralegals work across a range of responsibilities, including:

• taking witness statements and providing witness care
• obtaining expert reports
• drafting allegations
• instructing counsel
• liaising with doctors and their representatives.

This is a hybrid role between home working and office working.

We are happy to consider a range of flexible working options. Flexible working requests will be considered in line with the policy.

You can find more detail on the tasks you will undertake, and the essential skills required for the role, in the job description.

Induction

You will be expected to be in the office for the first two weeks of your induction period.

There may be a requirement for additional office attendance whilst in the training period but that would be communicated at the time of joining.

The person

Our teams pride themselves on an unwavering attention to detail, professionalism, and compassion towards all involved in fitness to practise.

A willingness to travel throughout the UK to take witness statements on occasion will be essential.

You can find more detail on the tasks you will undertake, and the essential skills required for the role, in the job description.

Roles available X 2 12 Months FTC and X 4 permanent contracts.

How to apply for the role

If you are interested in applying for this role, please provide a supporting statement, which demonstrates your reason for applying and a summary of how you can meet the essential skills listed in the job pack, provide examples where possible.

Please note, applications submitted without this information will be considered incomplete and not shortlisted.

Details on how to complete the application can be found in the attached guidance document.

We recognise that generative AI tools may assist you in refining your job application. It is essential to use these tools responsibly to ensure your application remains authentic and reflective of your personal experiences, so please ensure you read our AI guidance before submitting your application. 

We let you know whether you will progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.

GMC Benefits - Why work for us

As a member of our in-house legal team, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to develop your skills and career, including:

• Home working - Staff are in the office one day every fortnight on a set team schedule, with additional in-office days as required.
• Working hours are 35 hours per week.
• taking conduct of your own caseload of cases due for tribunal review, and litigation matters, including supporting counsel in representing us at hearings
• having full ownership of obtaining high quality key evidence including witness statements and expert reports
• working closely with and learning from experienced solicitors
• becoming involved in other areas of work, such as litigation costs recovery, public inquiries, and coroner’s inquests.
• accessing a wide range of learning and development online resources and in-person training events, as well as frequent Legal Team CPD events delivered by both internal and external speakers.
• contributing to project and continuous improvement activity.

If your career aspiration is to qualify as a solicitor, some of our paralegal roles constitute qualifying work experience for the SQE and we can offer you up to 5 days study leave per year to assist you with your studies and exams. When we have the need to recruit newly qualified solicitors, we aim to recruit internally from amongst those who qualify as solicitors whilst working for us.

You’ll benefit from being part of an organisation that is genuinely committed to its people with several excellent benefits including:

• 30 days holiday with the option to buy and sell more
• A generous employer pension contribution of 15%
• Access to a range of learning and development opportunities designed to support your ongoing progression
• Flexible working patterns
• Attractive salary that’s reviewed annually
• Discounts at 100s of high street and online stores
• Discounted gym membership
• Private medical insurance
• Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme for those wanting a greener commute
• Bike lockers and shower facilities

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The GMC values diversity and has made a public commitment to processes and procedures that are fair, objective, transparent and free from discrimination. 

We are committed to the Disability Confident employer scheme and support its principles. However, please note that although we are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, the Disability Confident interview scheme will not be applied for this role on this occasion.

The GMC is a charity registered in England and Wales (1089278) and Scotland (SC037750)