Job Description
PARALEGAL
DEPARTMENT:
Personal Law Department
focusing on candidates committed to the CILEX route or a longer-term paralegal pathway within the firm.
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY:
To provide high-level legal and administrative support across a broad range of private client matters.
To assist in the management and progression of complex estates, including cross-border succession issues, multi-jurisdictional assets, and international probate matters.
To support the continued development of the Private Client practice, maintaining exceptional standards of client care and technical accuracy.
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:
This does not set out every responsibility but provides an overview of your main areas of responsibility.
LEGAL SUPPORT AND CASE MANAGEMENT
Assisting on a wide range of private client matters including:
Wills and estate planning
Probate and estate administration
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Trust creation and administration
Supporting on cross-border estates involving foreign assets, overseas grants of probate, reseals, domicile and residence issues, and multi-jurisdictional succession considerations.
Undertaking legal research on domestic and international succession law, including conflict of laws principles and foreign inheritance regimes.
Drafting correspondence, attendance notes, estate accounts, schedules of assets and liabilities, and initial drafts of Wills and LPAs under supervision.
Assisting with applications for Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration, including taxable and non-taxable estates.
Liaising with foreign lawyers, notaries, asset holders, and institutions in other jurisdictions where required.
Supporting on more complex matters, including disputed estates, proprietary estoppel claims, constructive trust arguments, and High Court proceedings where relevant.
* ADMINISTRATION AND FILE MANAGEMENT
Managing files allocated in accordance with firm procedures and quality standards.
Assisting with estate administration tasks, including asset collection, preparation of estate accounts, and correspondence with beneficiaries.
Assisting where the firm acts as professional Executor or Trustee, including preparation of documentation and costs schedules.
Ensuring accurate time recording in accordance with firm policy and contributing towards departmental fee targets.
Maintaining strict confidentiality of all client and firm information.
CLIENT LIAISON AND COORDINATION
Handling initial client enquiries by telephone, e-mail, or via the firm’s website.
Arranging client appointments, including in-office and remote meetings.
Preparing meeting packs, reviewing existing Wills, preparing draft documentation, and ensuring identification and compliance checks are completed in advance.
Maintaining clear, professional communication with clients, beneficiaries, financial institutions, and external advisors.
PRACTICE DEVEOPMENT AND TEAM SUPPORT
Providing administrative support for leadership or team meetings where required.
Assisting with the organisation of the department’s diary and deadlines.
Supporting marketing and development initiatives for the Private Client department, particularly in relation to cross-border succession work.
Maintaining strong working relationships with colleagues and external professionals, including accountants, financial advisers, and overseas counsel.
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
Professional and confident manner when dealing with high-net-worth and international clients.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent organisational ability and attention to detail, particularly in complex estates.
Ability to manage competing deadlines across multiple matters.
Strong IT skills and document management capability.
An interest in private client law, succession planning, and cross-border estate work.