Intermediate Track - Solicitor / CILEX Lawyer in Haywards Heath

To manage a caseload of litigated and non-litigated personal injury claims with a value of up to £100,000.00, ensuring each case is progressed efficiently from initial instruction through to resolution. The role involves overseeing the full lifecycle of claims, applying sound legal judgement and procedural knowledge to achieve timely and cost-effective outcomes for clients and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Efficiently run a caseload of files which are litigated and non-litigated personal injury claims with a value of up to £100,000, proactively and profitably.
• Ensure that customers receive gold standard customer care.
• Deal with Fixed Fee and Portal RTA including untraced and uninsured MIB claims with the intention of maximising damages for the customer by pursuing all relevant heads of loss.
• Ensure that appropriate medical and non-medical evidence is obtained in accordance with the relevant track and recoverability.
• Use PI Calculator to assist in the efficient progression of cases.
• Issue proceedings using the Court Portal.
• Attend conferences, hearings and CMC’s with Counsel if necessary.
• Advise customers as to litigation/cost risks where appropriate.
• Advise customers about the risks associated with fundamental dishonesty and ensure that all evidence is closely reviewed and cross-referenced for consistency.
• Ensure that any appropriate instructions are obtained from any relevant lay and/or insurance customers, litigation friend, attorney or Deputy in a timely manner.
• Comply with professional conduct rules and internal policies and procedures.
• Prioritise court directions ensuring all directions are complied with in a timely manner.
• Keep customers informed and up to date throughout the life of the claim utilising technology where appropriate but maintaining a personal connection with customers.
• Build constructive and positive working relationships with Defendant Solicitors and Insurers with a focus on collaborative working where appropriate.
• Check the authenticity and validity of claims by carrying out due diligence.
• Continually risk-assess from the outset and throughout the case to ensure that the prospects of success are sufficient to justify continuance and to extract from cases where prospects of success fall below 51%.
• Ensure that any relevant insurer is kept updated and fully informed as to the progress of any claims to reduce any potential exposure/liability and to increase savings.
• Ensure that correct retainers and rates are sent to the customer and that cost estimates are updated annually and retainer rates reviewed regularly.
• Ensure that the correct medical and other evidence is obtained in order that the claim can be advanced and/or maximised.
• Discuss liability and/or quantum offers with the relevant parties, making use of the telephone rather than letters whenever possible.
• Prioritise incoming daily post/emails and deal with anything needing urgent attention while the remainder of the post is dealt with expeditiously and in order of importance and productivity.
• May be required to act as an authorised person if requested.

Experience & Knowledge

• A Solicitor or CILEx Lawyer with litigation rights / working toward obtaining.
• Experience of running your own claimant caseload of litigated and non-litigated personal injury claims within all RTA Portals and the former Multi Track (now Intermediate Track).
• While not essential, an ability to run EL/PL or OL cases would be an advantage.
• Experience of working to a fee target and/or settlement targets.
• A willingness to be involved in the mentoring and development of colleagues.
• Good working knowledge of the CPR and/or other relevant case law and/or legislation and progressing claims in a timely manner in accordance with the CPR.
• Excellent customer care skills.
• Able to provide written and oral advice in a clear concise manner.
• Good communication skills, in particular customer communication.
• The ability to liaise and build up rapport by using effective communication with all external agencies during the life of a claim including medical agencies, investigators, barristers etc.
• Good IT skills with a sound working knowledge of VF or a similar case management system and essential MS Office knowledge.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills, with a calm and methodical approach to work, and a flexible and adaptable attitude to resolving issues.

Here at Carpenters Group, diversity and inclusion matters, it is integral to our culture and we welcome applications from everyone. We celebrate difference and believe in equal opportunities for all.

Benefits

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working model
• Holiday buy and sell
• 2 x Volunteering days to support charitable initiatives
• Matched Giving – up to £250 matched for personal charity fundraising for a registered charity
• Medicash cash plan – claim back dental / physio / optical appointments
• My Medicash App – including access to rapid digital physiotherapy and skin cancer screening assessments plus fitness videos and wellbeing tools
• Discounts and cash back on travel and shopping through Medicash extras
• Life Assurance Scheme (4 x salary)
• Pension scheme
• Active network of Wellbeing Champions – providing mental health support
• Training and development opportunities
• Funded social events to connect with your colleagues
• Dress for your day policy