Paralegal - Commercial Litigation (Property) in Newtownabbey

The Property Recoveries team in Belfast is part of CSG. Our specialist team provides expert and practical advice over a range of areas:

• Subrogated property
• Uninsured Loss Recoveries
• Recovery of overpayments and duplicate payments
• Property damage defence claims

Whilst experience is desirable, we are currently accepting applications from an enthusiastic paralegal who is looking for an exciting career within a supportive team and ambitious firm.

What you will do?

You are expected to provide a timely, professional and high-quality service to our clients in the management of claims. Depending on your role, and with the support of a supervisor and team manager you will be expected to:

• Be responsible for a varied caseload of pre-litigated or litigated work.
• Screen matters for prospects and liaise with clients upon receipt of instructions.
• Review instructions and provide client advice on case prospects.
• Resolve claims through negotiation and litigation within client service standards.
• Instruct experts and counsel, draft Witness Statements and other Court documents.
• Maintain contact with our clients and their Customers whilst proactively managing their expectations.
• Meet individual performance measures (financial performance, realisation rates and other KPIs).
• Ensure that the DAC Beachcroft brand and standards are maintained.

Who you are

We are happy to hear from graduates or those with customer service/retail experience who are team players and have the passion for learning. We'd also like to hear from Paralegals who may already have experience working in a legal environment.

Typical duties include:

• Effectively running a full caseload of pre-litigated and litigated files to ensure deadlines are met and cases managed proactively to conclusion.
• Litigation experience is preferred.
• Caseload will consist of cases in the Small Claims Court and County Court.
• Ensure work is carried out effectively to meet the needs of the clients, the commercial requirements of the firm and the quality standards to include:
• Adherence to internal and client SLAs, KPIs and protocols.
• Achievement of agreed chargeable time and financial targets.
• Prompt billing and collection of WIP and disbursements.
• Prompt and accurate provision of MI.
• Ensure that trust balances are cleared promptly.
• Devising a clear case strategy which is adhered to, ensuring cases are run smoothly and balance the commercial interests of both the Firm and the client.
• Applying appropriate and current technical expertise and case law.
• Ensure cases reach repudiation/settlement and the archiving procedure is completed as quickly as possible.
• Effectively managing risk and compliance issues within each case, ensuring any emerging problems are escalated promptly to their Line Manager in the first instance.
• Engaging with clients where appropriate to maximise opportunities to meet and build rapport with clients, at all times acting as an ambassador of the firm.
• Contribute to Business Development and client relationship activity in support of the Account Manager where required.

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!

About DAC Beachcroft

We are a leading international legal business with over 3,000 colleagues and a diverse range of capabilities. We are market leaders in insurance, health and real estate but with a full-service offering, including growing Financial Services and Tech capabilities. We represent a wide range of clients from household names to government departments and NHS bodies. We act for nearly all of the top-20 UK and global insurers, we're market leaders in the provision of strategic, commercial and regulatory advice to providers and commissioners in the health sector, and in real estate we advise all of the UKs top-five housebuilders. We are a fast-growing international business with offices around the globe. In addition to our 11 UK offices, we also have offices in Bogota, Buenos Aires, Dublin, Lima, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, New York, Paris, Rome, Santiago de Chile, and Singapore plus a representative office in Miami and broad network of affiliations across the globe.

At DAC Beachcroft we are committed to and recognise the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion across the board, including and beyond the protected characteristics. We take decisions based solely on merit. We value, welcome and seek out people with different backgrounds and life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, ways of thinking and identities. 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.