Terms of Reference

Position:                      Paralegal

Reports to:                   Principal Lawyer

Duty station:                 Hargeisa

Duration and type of contract: Temporary 3 months contract, with possibility for extension

All AQN International Law Firm employees are expected to work in accordance with the business’s core values, dedication, innovation, inclusivity, and accountability. These attitudes and believes shall guide our actions and relationships.

1. Role and responsibilities:

The purpose of this position is to assist the Principal Lawyer, and manage the case load of the Firm.

Generic responsibilities:

1. Ensure adherence with AQN policies, tools, and guidelines.
2. Administrative responsibilities
3. Due diligence checks
4. Legal research
5. Legal translation
6. Preparing case files and attend court if needs be.
7. Ensure proper filing of documents.
8. Ensure that cases are handled correctly and diligently.
9. Explore and asses new and better ways to assist the business.
10. Upholding confidentiality.
11. Promote and share ideas for business improvement.

Specific responsibilities:

These responsibilities shall be adapted to the particularities of the business needs and context, phase of operation, strategic focus, and type of case. This section shall be revised whenever a new employee is hired or the context changes significantly.

• Assisting and interviewing clients and their witnesses; with identifying their legal claims, advising as to their legal rights and obligations; and offering assistance with problem resolution through existing traditional forms of dispute resolution and by way of the Somaliland judicial system.
• Attending court hearings, reading witness statements, collating evidence and researching case studies.
• Provide remote legal assistance when needed.
• Identify legal or contractual issues and develop new approaches to resolve complex issues.
• To offer legal assistance, and collect evidence or information, draft legal documents such as contracts notary agreements.
• Keeping up to date with changes in the law.
• Meeting with client (individuals or businesses) and preparing all documents required to resolve cases, including briefs and other court documents.
• Maintaining accurate case files, notes, and reports.
• Working closely with team members to prepare a comprehensive brief on each case/ project and scheduling and conducting depositions of witnesses and experts.
• Researching legal concepts, case law, judicial opinions, statutes, and regulations.
• Providing proper legal citation and statutory interpretations.
• Assist in awareness raising activities and training when required.
• Any other duty assigned by your supervisor related to your work.

Scale and scope of position:

Staff:

Paralegals will indirectly guide and manage the interests and ideals of AQN international Law Firm