Paralegal (Family Law: Care Team)

The role

To undertake such tasks as requested by the Family Law team lawyers. Under the supervision of the family lawyers, to undertake fee-earning work and provide a profitable contribution to the work of the Department through the achievement of agreed financial and non-financial targets. To ensure the successful development of the firm in line with the firm’s business plan and any agreed personal goal plan.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with and supporting the management of the family department case load.
• Assisting the family lawyers in the day-to-day Management of their case load.
• Undertaking fee earning work under the supervision of a lawyer.
• Ensuring all messages, correspondence, communications, and emails are delivered to the relevant lawyer accurately and without delay.
• Transcribing dictation as and when required.
• Drafting applications.
• Filing and other general office tasks.
• Covering (when and if required) for other members of staff when they are absent.
• Attending case conferences, pre-proceeding meetings and professional meetings.
• Assisting the lawyers with the management of cases from start to conclusion and keeping the clients informed of developments of the case through oral and written updates.
• Ensuring the compliance with Court directions and timetables.
• Dealing with and responding to, routine incoming correspondence and e-mails.
• Monitoring the care department e-mails and actioning the same.
• Dealing with routine incoming telephone calls and enquiries.
• Opening files and ensuring the same are opened in accordance with our policies and procedures.
• Drafting documents to include statements, letters, briefs to Counsel, schedules etc.
• Preparing Court Bundles when our client is the Applicant (in accordance with Court protocol).
• Demonstrating organisational skills.
• Managing own diary that of the family department lawyers, checking representation for all hearings and meetings is arranged.
• Working through the brought forward diary system and completing the necessary work under the supervision of a lawyer.
• Keeping the diary up to date.
• Managing clients’ expectations.
• Attending upon clients both in person and remotely to obtain instructions.
• Being familiar with and complying with all SH&CO office manual, practices and procedures.
• Preparing cases for Court hearings.
• Attending conferences with Counsel and client where appropriate. Attending Court with client and Counsel where appropriate.
• Drafting and amending letters of instruction to expert.
• Completing legal aid applications.
• Preparing Legal Aid Bills and submitting the same.
• Managing files efficiently and in accordance with set procedures.
• Checking cost estimates and cost limits on legal aid certificate files and liaising with billing clerk / lawyers in relation to the same.
• Completing time recording on all matters.
• Keeping all files in neat and orderly manner to ensure any other lawyers will be able to see the stage of a case at a glance.
• Inputting data into the firm’s computer system as required
• Liaising with members of staff in other teams or external contacts as necessary
• Prioritising workload in consultation with the lawyer concerned.
• Deputising in the lawyer’s absence passing urgent issues to another senior fee earner for guidance
• Engaging in dealing with initial client enquiries to ensure they are assigned to the most appropriate person.
• Notifying the appropriate supervisor immediately of any concerns that could lead potentially to a complaint.
• Supporting other colleagues and engaging in such tasks as are allocated to you.

Personal Development

• Undergo such training as might be appropriate for the role and in accordance with SRA requirements.
• Keep up to date with changes and developments in the specialised area in practice of public childcare law.
• Engage and if appropriate, assist with in-house training as may be required.
• Be responsible for and attend to issues of personal self-development as may be identified in supervision and/or annual appraisals.

Business Development Responsibilities

• Assist the family team in pursuing potential business leads.
• Assist the family team in Building up a network of referrals from other solicitors and professionals.
• Maintain relationship with professionals to build reputation and client base.
• Effectively promote and cross refer other areas of law within the practice where applicable to help maximise our service delivery to clients.
• Provide advice to potential clients through the free half hour advice. Supporting other lawyers at holiday time and/or periods of illness.

Other areas of duty

• At all times exercise a high standard of client care in a professional, efficient and pleasant manner.
• Be pro-active in promoting the services of the firm, its professional image and ethos in relation to the delivery of a high-quality service.
• Ensure the preservation of confidentiality and security of all the firm’s and client documentation and information at all times.
• Comply with the Solicitors Accounts Rules and the Professional Code of Conduct laid down by the SRA, Law Society, Lexcel, Resolution and any other relevant professional bodies.
• Maintain clear and precise communications with other personnel within the firm.
• Carry out any other duties as appropriate to the nature of the post as may be required.
• Attend staff and, where appropriate, monthly family law department meetings as required.
• Uphold the aims and principles of the firm’s policies.

Salary – £Negotiable, depending on experience, + benefits