A new opportunity has arisen for a Legal Secretary to join our Children & Families Public Law Department. Based at our Leamington office, the successful candidate will provide full secretarial support to the Head of Department and other fee‑earners.
Full and part‑time applicants will be considered, working a minimum of 25 hours per week. Flexibility will be required to work until 5pm on days worked.
Please note if you apply direct (not through an agency) and successfully complete your probation period, we will give you a one‑off bonus payment of £250 (gross pay).
Responsibilities and Qualifications
* Undertake typing and secretarial work within the Family Department for specific Fee Earners but also assist when needed across the department as part of the Family support team.
* Deal with clients’ calls and liaise with Fee Earners where appropriate on both the telephone and in person. You are not required to give legal advice.
* Make appointments for clients.
* Answer new client enquiries and take full details. Carry out conflict checks on new clients.
* Ensure the file remains compliant with professional standards, including keeping key dates and diaries up to date, ensuring contact details are updated and completing compliance documents.
* Ensure that all court documents are downloaded and uploaded to FPL as required by the fee earner.
* Ensure the case is ready for hearings, including checking the client has received all documents prior to the hearing, booking counsel where required, preparing court bundles and typing briefs.
* Maintain electronic filing systems, including filing of correspondence, emails and court pleadings.
* Provide general administration tasks, as and when required.
* Attend Family Department meetings and firm‑wide meetings.
* Undertake any reasonable instructions made by Members, Department Heads, Line Manager or Fee Earners within the limits of this Employment Description.
* Prepare accurate invoices and cost scheduling for private paying clients on a monthly basis under Fee Earner supervision/instructions.
* Maintain and protect client confidentiality at all times internally and externally.
* Work flexibly and be prepared to respond to urgent deadlines on a daily basis.
* Provide reception cover as required.
* At least one year’s experience of working in a legal administrative role is essential. Experience of working within a Family Care department which deals with Legal Aid would be preferable but not essential.
* Excellent keyboard skills with a good knowledge of Outlook, Word and case management/Tikit.
* Dynamic in approach and uses initiative when dealing with clients or potential clients.
* A positive approach to customer service.
* Ability to be a team player and flexible outlook.
* Efficiency to deal with awkward situations and difficult clients in a professional manner.
* Ability to remain discreet and maintain employee and client confidentiality at all times.
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