Legal Assistant in Birmingham

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) mission is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and holding to account those responsible for delivering them. We are the UK Competent Authority for audit. We also set the UK Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes as well as UK standards for accounting, auditing and actuarial work, and monitor and take action to promote the quality of corporate reporting and operate independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries.

The FRC’s Enforcement Division is the independent disciplinary body for the accountancy and actuarial professions in the UK. It undertakes complex professional disciplinary investigations and prosecutions in cases involving accountants, accountancy firms and actuaries which raise important issues affecting the public interest in the UK. Many of the investigations are large, complex, and high‑profile and our cases regularly require liaison with other investigators including the Serious Fraud Office, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Insolvency Service, and the Pensions Regulator.

The Role: To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in complex and often high‑profile investigations under the AEP and the Schemes. The role involves providing a diverse range of support to cross-disciplinary case teams of lawyers and forensic accountants in connection with investigations and enforcement proceedings, including:

• Assisting with the process of drafting of formal Notices and letters and proof‑reading key documents.
• Conducting legal research and conveying results logically and concisely.
• Assisting with disclosure tasks.
• Taking responsibility for the recording and proper handling of all evidence in hard copy and electronic format, including liaising with data management suppliers in relation to the upload and review of case material.
• Assisting with the documentation and logistics of instructing counsel and experts on cases.
• Organising and attending conferences with experts, counsel, and other regulators; recording and drafting prompt and accurate meeting minutes.
• Assisting with the logistical and administrative aspects of producing interview bundles.
• Taking responsibility for the review and integrity of interview transcripts.
• Working with counsel, experts, and external solicitors on logistical aspects of preparing for Tribunal and Court hearings and taking responsibility for the practical and administrative aspects of the production of hearing bundles.
• Attending hearings to provide assistance to the case lawyer, experts and counsel, hand documents up to witnesses giving evidence, update the hearing bundle and liaise with the Tribunal Secretary.
• Assisting with the preparation of costs schedules for the recovery of costs from respondents.
• Identifying, escalating, and mitigating legal risk issues as appropriate.
• Leading on closing and archiving finished cases.
• Taking responsibility for the protection and appropriate treatment of personal, confidential and/or sensitive data and information.
• Demonstrating initiative and adopting a proactive approach to all tasks and always meeting deadlines.
• Participating in continuous development projects and taking responsibility for own development.

There are currently career progression opportunities within the team for suitable candidates. The role is based in our Birmingham Office. The post holder should be able to work flexibly to support the team’s activities and also provide cover within the FRC as necessary. The FRC operates a hybrid working arrangement. This means full‑time employees will spend at least four-days per fortnight in the office, pro rata for part‑time employees, and any arrangement will be agreed between the employee and the line manager.

The Person and required competencies:

• A Law Degree (or equivalent) is required.
• Completion of the Legal Practice Course or Bar Practice Course is not required but is desirable.
• Experience of working within a litigation team, ideally within a regulatory framework.
• Strong communication and analytical skills, results driven, willingness and ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to prioritise a very broad spectrum of work and respond effectively to the competing demands of the role.
• Experience of legal research and excellent IT skills.
• A strong team ethos and willingness to assist colleagues as and when required.
• Personal integrity.

Please apply by following the link on our website https://www.frc.org.uk/frc-for-you/careers and uploading a copy of your CV and covering letter as a single document upload. In the covering letter, please set out, by reference to the person specification above how you meet the required skillset.

Rewards and benefits:

• The FRC offers remuneration packages, including 30 days annual leave, ability to buy extra leave.
• Generous employer pension contribution of 10%.
• Staff Employee Assistance Programme including confidential counselling and work life services.
• The FRC offers staff the opportunity to save at least 25% on the purchase of a new bike through the Cycle to work scheme.
• The FRC has a strong work/life balance ethos.

The FRC believes that equality of opportunity and diversity is important in the work that we do and we are strongly committed to being an inclusive employer. Our values of being fair and independent supports this commitment. Equal opportunities monitoring is an important means of demonstrating and implementing our commitment to promoting equality of opportunity and diversity.

The FRC is a Disability Confident Employer and we welcome applications under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme from disabled people as defined by the Equality Act 2010 that meet the minimum requirements for the role.