Trainee Legal Assistant - Private Client in Witham

Due to internal progression, we are looking to hire a Trainee Legal Assistant to work alongside an Associate Solicitor in our Witham office. The Private Client team are a very well established, large and friendly team based across our 7 regional offices. This role is an excellent opportunity for someone who has an understanding of Private Client from within a Law firm to progress their career further and work directly with a Fee Earner on Private Client matters.

The Day to Day

• Ensuring all matters are initially set up and managed ongoingly in accordance with the requirements of the Office Manual and department practice and procedures including the completion of checklists for risk and file management purposes, client care and cost updates.
• Initial completion of probate case management system in accordance with the instructions of the fee earner in the estate and asset form and attendance note.
• Ongoing completion of data within Private Client Case Management System including asset information and beneficiary details.
• Appropriate filing whether physical or virtual of all documents and correspondence using the virtual black folder within PCMS or physical black folder.
• Drafting, originating and managing documentation including initial asset enquiries, collection of those assets or transfer and updating client and beneficiary.
• Proactively progressing matters and chasing for required information.
• Proactively updating the fee earner and seeking instruction from fee earner when appropriate.
• Ensuring all client outputs are checked by the fee earner.
• Proactively organising and attending (virtual or otherwise) bi-weekly meetings with the fee earner on each matter within their care.
• Drafting application for grant of representation (GOR) and internal Inheritance Tax check and following approval by fee earner ensuring documents are signed by the client and returned.
• Making the application for the GOR, diarising for chasing, and keeping the client up to date.
• Troubleshooting existing probate matters including outstanding asset collection and outstanding balances.
• Input of data on all required spreadsheets and H&H logs including but not limited to cost and probate spreadsheet and the strong room system.

What experience do I need?

• An awareness of probate process including up to date knowledge of probate registry requirements.
• Knowledge and experience using Private Client Case Management system.
• An understanding of the construction of Wills.
• An understanding of inheritance tax.

What skills should I have?

• Must possess the ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels.
• Self-motivated, organised with the ability to prioritise and manage own workload.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure.
• Highly organised.
• Proactive thinker.
• Team player.

What are we offering?

• Competitive salary.
• A supportive, relaxed and flexible work environment in an experienced and growing team.
• 28 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays.
• Medicash cash back schemes after 1 years’ service.
• Life Insurance.
• EAP and various other physical and mental wellbeing support services including virtual GP access 24/7.
• Family friendly policies such as enhanced maternity and paternity pay plus family events leave.
• Company sick pay.
• Cycle scheme.