Apprentice Office Assistant – Crime Department
Meikles Solicitors
Darlington (DL3 7RX)
Closes in 11 days (Sunday 27 September 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 15 September 2026
Contents
Summary
Meikles Solicitors is offering an excellent opportunity to develop valuable professional office skills within a busy legal environment.
The successful apprentice will play an important role in supporting the day-to-day running of the office, acting as a welcoming and professional first point of contact for clients and visitors.
- Wage
-
£14,560 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm. 1 hour for lunch.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 12 October 2026
- Duration
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1 year 3 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
- Greet and welcome clients and visitors in a professional, courteous and client-focused manner.
- Direct clients, visitors and callers promptly to the appropriate person, office or department.
- Answer incoming telephone calls, take accurate messages, and ensure calls and messages are passed promptly to the appropriate fee earner or member of staff.
- Monitor shared reception or departmental email inboxes and ensure enquiries are passed to the correct person or recorded appropriately.
- Book, confirm and rearrange appointments in accordance with departmental procedures, recording relevant details accurately.
- Receive, open where required, stamp, sort and distribute incoming post and deliveries daily, and assist with outgoing post as required.
- Maintain office security and confidentiality by following safety procedures and controlling access via the reception desk.
- Monitor stationery and office supplies and assist with reordering when required.
- Deal with petty cash and related basic office administration tasks where required.
- Scan, save, print, copy and file documents accurately in both paper and electronic format.
- Assist with the opening, maintenance, organisation and closing of paper and electronic files, including accurate digital document management.
- Use and learn office systems, case management systems and other digital office systems, including email and digital dictation where required, in accordance with training and office procedures.
- Maintain confidentiality and handle client information in accordance with firm procedures.
- Refer legal queries to the appropriate qualified person rather than attempting to give legal advice.
Where you'll work
9 Duke Street
Darlington
DL3 7RX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BISHOP AUCKLAND COLLEGE
Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
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.
Training schedule
All delivered in the workplace with monthly assessor visits.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 9-4 / A*-C / Level 2)
- Maths (grade 9-4 / A*-C / Level 2)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Team working
- Initiative
About this employer
Meikles Solicitors is a legal practice situated in County Durham. We have offices in Bishop Auckland, Darlington, Hartlepool, Ferryhill, Sedgefield Gateshead and Spennymoor.
Our history can be traced back to the late 1800’s.
We have Solicitors who are members of the Law Society's Children, Criminal Litigation and Mental Health Accreditation Scheme. We hold the CQS Accreditation and SQM Accreditation. We are members of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers. Within the firm we also have several members of Resolution who specialise in family law, including a Resolution Accredited Specialist. We have several Solicitors who are members of the Police Station Representatives Accreditation Scheme and members of the Court Duty Solicitor Scheme.
Each of our offices is able to provide a wide range of legal services. We are committed to providing a high quality legal service to our clients in a friendly and efficient manner.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
To be discussed at interview.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BISHOP AUCKLAND COLLEGE
David Brough
david.brough@bacoll.ac.uk
01388 743164
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000053026.
Apply now
Closes in 11 days (Sunday 27 September 2026 at 11:59pm)