Paralegal - Coverage and Liability in Birmingham

Our Property Insurance team provides advice and claims’ management services to the insurance industry. We have a position available in our coverage and liability (small claims) team, this role will be situated in Birmingham. We provide expert and practical advice covering a range of areas, including:

• Property Damage claims, including defending subrogated liability actions and Policy coverage disputes.
• Business interruption claims.
• Claims involving issues arising under structural warranties.
• Investigating and defending allegations of fraud arising under property insurance policies, as well as complaints.

This expert team has been carrying out Third Party Property Damage work for over 30 years, handling all types of claims, from small claims to large and complex liability claims with coverage and fraud issues. With experience in a wide range of sectors including construction, commercial product failure, agriculture, faith and hospitality, as well as a particular speciality in ‘green’ highway chattels’ and surface damage claims on behalf of insurers and their policyholders.

You will be based out of our Birmingham office and successful applicants will be required to attend the office 5 days a week during probation.

What you will do:

• Developing your knowledge of all aspects of property-related insurance claims, including policy coverage disputes, public and product liability claims, fraud claims and complaints, and subrogated recovery claims and liability matters.
• Developing your knowledge of litigation tactics and a sound working knowledge of the CPR.
• Opportunity to handle your own caseload including a variety of litigated and pre-litigated files.
• Task-based discrete activities assisting on claims for other fee earners in the team, including carrying out preliminary investigations and evidence gathering, ensuring technical and expert evidence obtained by insurers and their agents is sufficient to prove causation; obtaining witness statements; and contacting relevant parties to obtain contractual and other relevant documentation.
• Ensuring that the case management system and hard copy files are updated with diary dates as required by the case.
• Assuming responsibility for client protocol compliance both on own files and where working on task-based assignments.
• Handling confidential information in line with the firm's data security protocols.
• Meeting and exceeding internal targets for time recording and billing.

Who you are:

• A paralegal with previous relevant legal experience.
• Knowledge of the litigation process is desirable – either through experience, the LPC or CILEX.
• Be interested in and have a good working knowledge of general contract and tortious principles.
• Be interested in and willing to learn insurance-based property damage law.
• Be interested in and willing to learn the technical aspects of construction and property claims investigations as required for the role.
• Have an ability to adopt a commercial perspective rather than an ‘academic’ approach to claims settlement.
• Demonstrates alignment with the Firm’s Cultural Principles (Clear, Creative, Determined and Supportive).

What’s in it for you?

• High levels of flexibility and a great work life balance.
• A well-rounded remuneration package (which includes private medical insurance, income protection insurance and discounted gym membership, amongst many other benefits).
• Opportunities for growth and progression including professional funding.
• In person and remote social events.
• Opportunity to get involved in a range of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities.

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, which aligns closely to our cultural principles (Determined, Clear, Creative and Supportive). If you are excited about this role and being part of our culture, but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles! We are happy to talk flexible working with our Flex Forward scheme. We would encourage you to talk to us about our approach to flexible working during the hiring process if you would like to explore this further.