Legal Help Manager

Role Overview: Our client is seeking an experienced Legal Help Manager to oversee the legal help claims process, manage a team, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. This role requires a detail-oriented professional with strong leadership and technical expertise in legal help and civil billing. Key Responsibilities: 1. Legal Help Claim Approval & Compliance * Review and approve all legal help claims prepared by fee-earners prior to submission. * Ensure that ledger rates, funding evidence, and supporting documentation are accurate and fully compliant with regulations. * Minimise rejections, appeals, and lost costs through meticulous review and continuous process improvements. 2. Billing & File Management * Monitor and action dormant file reports to ensure timely billing of legal help files upon case conclusion. * Oversee the submission of EC claims within required timeframes. * Work closely with the Head of Civil Billing to enhance billing processes and maximise profitability. 3. Team Management & Development * Lead and support a small team, with the potential to recruit additional staff as the department grows. * Develop and implement training programs to improve efficiency, compliance, and overall team performance. * Provide ongoing guidance and support to fee-earners (approx. 115 civil and family team members) on legal help-related queries. 4. Strategic Planning & Reporting * Collaborate with the Head of Civil Billing to set and meet departmental targets. * Contribute to the development and execution of the strategy for legal help claims and civil billing. * Identify and implement process improvements to drive operational efficiencies. 5. Process Development & Expansion * Over time, expand the team and manage additional staff to handle legal help billing, thereby freeing up fee-earner capacity. 6. Compliance & Audit Preparation * Ensure full adherence to relevant regulations, including: * Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 * Standard Civil Contract and Specification * Costs Assessment Guidance (2018/2024) * Support the firm during Legal Aid Agency audits and assist with audit preparations. Required Experience & Skills: * Extensive experience in legal help, EC claims, and associated funding regulations. * Prior management experience in a legal billing environment. * Strong understanding of Legal Aid Agency requirements and audit processes. * Excellent organisational skills and a keen eye for detail. * Proven ability to train, manage, and develop a growing team. Due to the high volume of applications, Aspire Recruitment can only contact short-listed candidates for the role. However, we encourage you to apply for future positions placed by Aspire Recruitment