Description
Exciting Opportunity at Judge and Priestley Solicitors LLP
Our Values
Expert -We will invest in the continual development of our people, team and also technology to ensure that we continue to be experts in all that we do.
Professional- We are accountable to our clients, colleagues, and all those with whom we engage to ensure that we are open, transparent and act with integrity in all that we do.
Friendly - Whilst at all times being professional, we will ensure that we are approachable and seek to put those with whom we deal, at ease in their dealings with us.
Join our Family Department as a Legal Secretary, providing exceptional organisational, administrative and client support in a fast‑paced, professional legal environment
Key Responsibilities
* Open, close and maintain client files, ensuring orderly management of documents and electronic records.
* Prepare, collate and paginate court bundles.
* Manage daily departmental post, including scanning, saving and distributing to Visual Files.
* Act as first point of contact for clients by phone and occasionally in person, offering professional and friendly support.
* Respond to calls and emails on behalf of fee earners where appropriate.
* Arrange meetings with clients, counsel and experts, including room preparation.
* Provide general administrative support such as photocopying, scanning and file organisation.
* Assist with basic billing processes, including collating information and preparing draft bills.
* Ensure confidentiality and adhere to GDPR, Data Protection and firm-wide policies.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Skills & Abilities
* Strong organisational and time‑management skills with the ability to prioritise effectively.
* Excellent IT skills, including MS Office; familiarity with Visual Files is desirable.
* Accurate and confident document formatting and high attention to detail.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to work independently, use initiative and remain solutions‑focused.
* Calm, empathetic and professional manner, especially with distressed clients.
Experience & Knowledge
* Previous administrative experience within a legal environment (Family Law desirable).
* Understanding of office processes and case management systems.
* Basic knowledge of matrimonial processes, forms and terminology (desirable).
Qualifications
* GCSEs (A–C / 4–9) in English and Maths.
* Legal secretarial or administrative qualifications (e.g., ILEX Level 3) beneficial but not essential.
Benefits
Profit Share Scheme
We want all our employees to have a share in the success of the firm. This non contractual bonus is paid in June based on the profit from the previous financial year.
Volunteer Sabbatical
We offer our employees up to 2 days paid leave a year to contribute towards our CSR efforts.
Long Service Awards
We recognise long service through special lunches, extra time off and a monetary reward.
Wellbeing - Worklife Central
This multi-format programme covers four main topic areas: Careers, Families, Wellbeing and Inclusion. Support and resources are available through a wide range of online live talks, support groups and workshops, long and short-form videos accessible on demand and a library of articles, blogs and podcasts.
Private Healthcare
You’ll have access to private medical insurance.
Medicash
You will be enrolled into our scheme which provides cashback on a range of health services.
Pension
All employees are entitled to join our auto enrolment pension scheme. You will be enrolled in the pension after 3 months of employment dependent on age and salary.
Generous & Flexible Annual leave
We have a minimum of 25 days across the firm and you will receive an additional day’s holiday after every completed year of service to a total maximum of 30 days. You are also able to carry over up top 5 days of unused holiday entitlement.
Birthday off
If your birthday falls on a working day, you can have that day off as an extra day’s leave.
Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave
We include family friendly policies when after two years’ service you will be eligible for our enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
Death in Service Insurance
All employees will be entitled to 2 x salary.
Legal Fees
After one years’ service, you will be entitled to a contribution towards legal fees.
Recruitment Incentive
We offer up to £2,000 (dependent on level of seniority) referral bonus to say thank you for introducing a job candidate that becomes employed by J&P and passes their probation.
Season Ticket Loan
After probation, you are entitled to apply for an interest free advance for a season ticket to use public transport to reach your place of work.
Cycle to Work Scheme
Allows you to make a saving of 25% - 39% on the retail price of a bike.
We are a Legal 200 leading regional law firm, serving a wide range of commercial and private clients across London and the surrounding counties, from our Head Office in Bromley. Established since 1889, we’ve come a long way and today we are a modern, progressive practice, proud of our record on diversity and inclusion and reputation for training and promoting staff from within the business.
At Judge & Priestley, we invest in our expertise. We recruit the best people and we are proud to retain them. Our teams have access to the latest resources and the continuing professional development opportunities they need to remain at the forefront of commercial legal practice.