On-Site in Central London (WC2)
Permanent, as well as Fixed-term contracts considered (one or two years)
£32,000 - £35,000 + Career Progression + Great Benefits
As a result of sustained demand, an exciting new career opportunity now exists for two accomplished, organised and highly professional individuals to join a growing business with flexibility offered to take a fixed-term or permanent contract. Our client is a leading commercial barristers' chambers that has experienced long-standing commercial success built on an impressive reputation for providing outstanding specialist advisory services to clients across the globe.
Chambers has a thriving domestic and international practice, specialising in providing services across the areas of construction and engineering; energy and natural resources; infrastructure and utilities; international arbitration; IT and technology; offshore construction and marine engineering; planning and environmental law; procurement; competition; and associated professional negligence.
The successful Legal Support Administrators will work as juniors in a team of Practice Managers in conjunction with the Joint Directors of Clerking and members of the other Practice Management teams. The successful candidates will provide professional, effective and efficient support and administrative services to Chambers' barristers.
The ideal applicants are diligent, confident and professional individuals, with excellent written and oral communication skills. They are able to deliver a full support service, including administering cases, scheduling meetings, liaising with the courts in relation to hearings and assisting with the collection of fees. As they build experience, they will support the wider Practice Management team in negotiating fees on behalf of barristers, marketing and developing the business of barristers to maintain a supply of work, maintaining excellent client relationships with solicitors and other professional clients.
The role offers a great opportunity for candidates to take their first step in the legal sector, whether they are looking to gain one- or two-years' experience of a Chambers environment in a CV-enhancing role or are interested in building a career in clerking.
Key Responsibilities
* Administration of instructions and cases using Chambers Management software, including: setting up case files; recording terms of engagement and charge out rates; logging work done; fixing hearing dates; planning meetings; and invoicing work done.
* The regular collection and processing of barristers' timesheets onto the Chambers Management software within established time guidelines; and regular monitoring and updating of missing time/fee items onto the system (training to be given).
* Assisting barristers with the effective administrative management of their practices, including, for example, arranging travel/hotels; forwarding post; photocopying/printing papers.
* Communicating between clients and barristers, in relation to all aspects of barristers' work, to ensure a high quality of service.
* Liaising on behalf of barristers, with the Courts, Judges and opposing legal teams where appropriate.
* Promoting barristers and selling their legal, advisory and advocacy services to clients, who are mainly solicitors and other professionals.
* Allocating and matching new clients and work opportunities with the most suitable barrister.
* Negotiating fees for barristers and assisting with the collection of barristers' fees.
* Attendance at Chambers' and clients' marketing and business development functions, where appropriate.
* Liaison with barristers to understand their unique selling points, desired cases and capacity for new work.
Skills & Experience
* Educated to degree level, including English and Maths GCSE minimum grade 5 or equivalent
* A keen interest in working in the legal sector (whether in the short-term or longer term)
* Well presented, conscientious and reliable
* Excellent organisational skills
* Eye for detail and ability to work to a high level of accuracy
* Strong written and verbal communication skills, including excellent telephone manner
* Strong numeracy skills
* Ability to work in a high-pressure environment, managing multiple demands and prioritising workload effectively
* Strong IT skills with experience of O365
* Discreet and able to handle confidential information
* Ability to build relationships with a range of people, including team, colleagues, barristers and clients
Benefits
* 20 days holiday plus bank holidays (rising to 22 days after one year and 25 days after two years)
* 6% pension contribution
* Bonus scheme
* Season ticket loan available
* Permanent health insurance
* Private medical insurance
* Half-day 'birthday' holiday
This is a superb career development opportunity for an ambitious, highly organised individual, excited by the prospect of beginning their career in a pivotal, fast-paced legal administration-focused role offering full training and genuine career opportunities alongside an employee-focused benefits package and highly competitive salary.