Paralegal Jobs

We are looking for a Client Executive to manage a caseload of professional and lay deputyship clients from the application through to dealing with the administration of the deputyship. This will include making appropriate decisions, involving exercise of judgement, understanding and managing financial budgets and understanding all aspects of our clients’ lives.

The role also includes coordinating and overseeing projects, including independent living trials, property purchases and adaptations, financial investments, litigation support pending a clients personal injury claim and other capital purchases, to name a few. The fee earner will be expected to provide advice regarding the Court of Protection to clients as well as monitoring their ongoing eligibility for certain statutory funding and other entitlements, to support them in all other aspects of their life where there is a financial implication and to liaise with case managers, carers, clients, and their families. Assisting and carrying out work on other team members’ cases when required will also be involved.

The fee earner will have good theoretical knowledge of work and be able to deal with challenging behavior in a non-confrontational manner as many of our clients have suffered an acquired brain injury.

The job holder will play an important role in the team in helping to achieve the team’s objectives and in fostering team spirit. They will accept a share of responsibility for the success or failure of the team.

Key Fee Earner Tasks (not an exhaustive list):

• Undertake fee earning work and provide a profitable contribution to the work of the department.
• Ensure the successful development of the department and of the firm in line with the business plan.
• Ensure that Client’s needs are met as soon as possible and deal with any issues that arise for them.
• Conduct of matters on behalf of clients with all due diligence, in particular ensuring excellence in respect of:
  • Technical advice
  • Client service
  • User-friendly language
• Management of support services for oneself, including supervision of own secretary.
• Participation in business development and marketing activities whether on a firmwide, departmental and/or office basis, in particular in relation to the development of the Court of Protection Property and Affairs Department. Including:
  • Liaison with the Legal Aid Agency;
  • Building up referral sources for health and welfare work;
  • Working within the rules of the Legal Aid contract.
• Financial control and in particular:
  • Take monies on account of fees and disbursements when possible and appropriate
  • Record time accurately and in line with chargeable and non-chargeable time targets
  • Agree fees with client in advance of billing, whether by agreeing fixed fees or hourly rates with fee estimate
  • Bill matters promptly and appropriately, seeking to maximise recovery of time spent
  • Collect cash promptly from clients in settlement of bills
• Support other fee earners and colleagues within the Court of Protection department, in addition to those within any other departments depending upon business need.

Skills and Experience 

• Either an experienced Court of Protection Paralegal / Legal Executive or qualified Solicitor with a desire to train and work in the COP field. We will consider applicants with a range of experience if they have qualified status, as on the job training will be provided. 
• Experience in Court of Protection is desired but not essential. 
• Accuracy and excellent attention to detail. 
• Able to work independently and as part of a team. 
• Ability to use own initiative, be proactive, work well under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Able to independently judge potential situations, identify and take alternative courses of action without putting the client or business at risk. 
• Excellent problem solving and research skills.   
• Communicates in a clear, confident and relaxed manner. 
• Excellent organisation and time management skills. 
• Takes on personal responsibility to learn on the job and keep knowledge in all relevant areas up to date. 
• Strong interpersonal skills, training and strong communication skills.
• Adapts style of communication appropriately when dealing with colleagues and clients.
• Works to understand the team’s key roles and the challenges they may face.
• If the Applicant has no experience of implementing or demonstrating the above skills, they must be willing to develop these skills in due course because they will be essential to the long term role.

Benefits 

• Bonus scheme.
• Employer contribution to pension at 4%.
• 25 days holiday entitlement per year with an additional 3 days non-contractual leave for Christmas.
• Free annual flu injection.
• LATUS – colleague wellbeing and discount platform.
• Employee Assist – access to personal, legal and financial issues, support and counselling and GP helpline.
• £50 gift card on your birthday with along with a late start or early finish.
• £50 gift at Christmas.
• Dearbump by Parent Promise– maternity wellbeing.
• Beamish Museum Family Passes.
• 5 extra days paid leave on your 5-year anniversary.
• Death in service benefit of 3 x salary.