Non Fee Earning Paralegal / Legal Support Assistant - Haslemere

Haslemere, Surrey | Full time | Permanent | Office based

This is a non fee earning position, which is worth saying plainly: there is no billing target and no pressure to chase chargeable hours. That makes it unusual, and for the right person it makes it better.

RecQuest is recruiting a Legal Support Assistant for an established firm on the Surrey and Hampshire border. The value of the role is in supporting a busy team well, and it suits someone who wants to learn how a firm actually works before deciding where to specialise.

The Role

• Providing administrative and paralegal support across departments

• File opening, client onboarding and identity checks

• Preparing correspondence and standard documentation

• Ordering searches and handling routine enquiries

• Maintaining accurate records on the case management system

• Supporting fee earners in keeping matters moving to deadline

About You

• Organised, accurate and comfortable with detail (essential)

• Confident communicating with clients and third parties (essential)

• Some legal or professional office experience (desirable, attitude matters more)

• Reliable and willing to support across the workload

• Within commuting distance of Haslemere

Why Consider It

• No billing target, which is rare and genuinely reduces the pressure

• Broader exposure than a large firm would give you at this level

• A sensible first step if you intend to qualify but want to understand practice first

If you are starting out, our guide on how to write a legal CV covers what firms actually look for.

All conversations are strictly confidential. To discuss this role, or legal support roles across Surrey, contact Ben Holtom at RecQuest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a non fee earning paralegal do?

A non fee earning paralegal supports the wider firm rather than billing time to client matters. The work typically covers file opening, client onboarding and identity checks, ordering searches, preparing standard correspondence, and keeping case management records accurate. Because the role is not tied to one department, you see how several practice areas operate.

Is non fee earning worse for my career than a billing role?

Not necessarily. A billing paralegal role gives you depth in one area early. A non fee earning role gives you breadth and removes the pressure of a target while you learn. If you are undecided about which discipline to specialise in, breadth first is often the better sequence.

What salary can a legal support assistant expect in Surrey?

Legal support assistant salaries in Surrey typically range from around £23,000 to £28,000 depending on experience, with the Guildford and Haslemere area generally paying at the upper end compared with the wider South Coast.

Do I need a law degree?

No. A law degree or CILEX study is useful and signals intent, but organisation, accuracy and confidence with people matter more for this role.

Is there a route to fee earning from here?

In smaller firms, yes, and more readily than in large ones. Support staff who prove reliable are often given file responsibility as they develop. That progression is a conversation to have at interview rather than an automatic entitlement.