Job Title: Paralegal
Department: Dispute Resolution
Location: Banbury/Coventry
Reporting to: Senior Solicitor
Job Purpose:
Assist Senior Solicitor with the preparation of Dispute Resolution work
Provide a full support service within the department to ensure that the work is carried out in an expeditious manner and to an appropriate professional standard
Work in accordance with the policies and procedures as set out in the Firm’s Office Manual
Key Responsibilities:
1. Liaise with clients in person, via telephone and email in a professional manner
2. Attend upon clients, experts, third party solicitors and Counsel as necessary to progress matters, under the supervision of the Senior Solicitor
3. Carry out and complete all necessary and relevant compliance checks and documentation
4. Maintain files and ensure efficient case management of matters and undertake general administration tasks to include file opening and typing of dictation
5. Use own initiative to draft any documentation, in line with experience level, including correspondence, briefs, court documentation, applications, full attendance notes, statements of evidence and any other necessary documents required to assist with the progress of the file
6. Undertake legal research to enhance own knowledge of Dispute Resolution matters, procedures and processes
7. Ensure Key Dates (Court Hearings, Court Deadlines etc.) are accurately recorded on P4W and all relevant diaries
8. Prepare accurate and sufficient Court Bundles for Court Hearings/Trial/Counsel in accordance with the CPR guidelines
9. Time record in accordance with the Firm’s policy and prepare bills as necessary
10. Make appointments as required
11. Attending Dispute Resolution department meetings and firm wide meetings
12. Maintain and protect client confidentiality at all times internally and externally
13. Providing other general administrative support
14. Undertaking any reasonable instructions given by management within the limits of this employment description
Knowledge and Experience:
15. At least one years’ experience working within a Dispute Resolution/Litigation Department
16. Excellent keyboard skills with a good knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and Word
17. Case management system experience
18. Dynamic in approach and uses initiative when dealing with clients or potential clients
19. A positive approach to customer service
20. Flexibility on working hours and ability to work additional hours as required
21. Ability to be a team player and flexible outlook
22. Efficiency to deal with awkward situations and difficult clients in a professional manner
23. Ability to remain discreet and maintain employee and client confidentiality at all times