Legal Administration Apprentice (Freeman Johnson)

Summary

You will play a key role in supporting the daily operations of the Freeman Johnson litigation department in our Darlington office. Acting as a reliable and professional first point of contact, you will assist with administrative duties that help ensure the smooth running of the team.

Wage

£19,110 a year

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Wage reviewed after 3 months.

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 23 June 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

This position is ideal for someone organised, proactive, and keen to develop their skills within a professional legal environment.

Your responsibilities will include managing correspondence, maintaining accurate records, preparing documents, and providing general support to legal staff. You will provide excellent customer service, schedule and confirm appointments via phone and email.

Main duties include but not limited to:

Assistance to partners and other team members, as required
Take ownership of administrative work required to fulfil the efficient running of the director’s schedule
Provide kind, courteous communication while receiving visitors to our office and in working with others in the team
Provide excellent customer service
Schedule and confirm appointments via phone, email and schedulers
Provide assistance to legal team by preparing draft correspondence and other assistance to paralegals and lawyers, as required
Enter case information into web-based case management system
Provide efficiency in other clerical receptionist duties such as filing (mainly electronically), photocopying, scanning and processing documents

Where you'll work

11 VICTORIA ROAD
DARLINGTON
DL1 5SP

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

DARLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

Your training course

Business administrator (level 3)

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What you'll learn

Course contents

Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Your training plan

You will be completing the Level 3 Business Administrator Advanced Apprenticeship Standard with Darlington Borough Council Learning & Skills, Darlington.

The Business Administration Apprenticeship is designed to equip participants with the fundamentals required to work in any business environment. The programme can be delivered using a blend of on-line, anytime learning and expert-led classroom training covering core topics.

Throughout this Apprenticeship, participants will be supported by tutors who have worked in a business environment and have gained many years of experience and who can truly support you to develop the skills and knowledge required to work in a wide range of administrative roles.

More training information

Training will be provided to achieve the following qualifications:

Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship Standard

Training will take place weekly, on a day release basis, at Darlington Borough Council Learning & Skills training centre (DL1 5AJ) or remotely. During the course you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to ensure these exceed the minimum requirements for the Business Administrator Level 3 apprenticeship standards.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4+/ C+)
maths (grade 4+/ C+)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Administrative skills
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

You may be required to attend our training centre in Darlington (DL1 5AJ) and you will need to make your own way there for day release training. Travel to and from the employer, based at 11 Victoria Road, Darlington, DL1 5SP.

About this company

Freeman Johnson Solicitors have offices in County Durham and North Yorkshire and we have provided legal services to the community for more than 150 years. This heritage has made us a fixture of the local community letting us help individuals and businesses alike with a wide range of legal services. We are proud to have been awarded the Lexcel status which is the Law Society’s award for excellence. Using the latest technology and information systems combined with first-class legal expertise and old-fashioned friendliness we strive to give clients the best service possible.

https://freemanjohnson.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Successful completion of the apprenticeship may lead to full-time employment and/ or further training.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DARLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

Graham Curry

graham.curry@darlington.gov.uk

07949845325

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000324533.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Friday 20 June 2025 at 11:59pm)

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