Job Vacancy - Harding Evans

Job Vacancy Position: Paralegal Practice Area: Dispute Resolution/ Litigation th

Posted: 15 May 2017 nd

Closes: 02 June 2017 REF: HEDRP03 Contact: Nikki Thomas – HR Department PQE: N/A Contract Type: Permanent Hours: Full Time (37.5 hrs 8:30am – 5:00pm) Salary: Competitive Location: Newport

Further Information Harding Evans is a well-established law firm ranked in the top 10 firms in Wales. With a team of around 110, including 9 partners, we deliver a wide range of legal services throughout England and Wales. An award winning firm, we continually invest in our people and technology to maintain the high standards of client care we deliver. For more information about us please visit www.hardingevans.com

The Role An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Litigation Paralegal to join our Dispute Resolution Department. The Department has an unrivalled reputation for client focussed hard work and success. The successful candidate will manage their own caseload of low value cases and debt recovery work with full supervision, and assist other fee-earners within the department with their Fast Track and Multi Track claims, including some legal aid and contentious probate files. Such matters may involve drafting applications for third party funding, the issuing and processing claims, compliance with court directions, drafting interim application and instructions to Counsel, and taking instructions from clients. The successful candidate will be used to having direct client contact and dealing with a full and busy case load.

The Candidate A desirable candidate would: have a law degree or recognised equivalent and experience of working in a litigation team, have good knowledge of CFAs, DBAs, and third party funding, be IT literate with experience of using Microsoft Office packages, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, need the ability to work under pressure, be highly motivated and experience of using Case Management Systems/Time Recording Systems.

How to Apply To apply, please forward an up to date copy of your CV to Nikki Thomas –HR Manager – [email protected] complete with nd a covering letter, detailing your salary expectations by 02 June 2017.

Harding Evans Solicitors 15th May 2017| Job Vacancy Dispute Resolution Paralegal/Ref: HEDRP03

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Responsible to: Responsible for: Location:

Paralegal Head of Department, Dispute & Litigation Department N/A 2 North Street, Queens Chambers, Newport, NP20 1TE

Role / Job Purpose  Assist and provide a range of legal support and administration to Partners, fee earners and other legal professionals.  To effectively manage all aspects of cases allocated and where necessary provide support to Partners and Solicitors within the Department/Firm.  To support the Firm and the Litigation team to facilitate the smooth running of the department operating at optimum efficiency.

2. Role Specific Responsibilities and Activities 

The post holder will, under the supervision of senior fee earners, run a small case load of and/ or provide assistance to the senior fee earners on litigation cases including but not limited to: General civil litigation matters  Landlord and Tenant and Property Disputes  Debt recovery matters  Actions against the police cases  Contentious Probate Matters  Fast track & multi track claims including some complex / high value multi track cases

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The post holder will be required to undertake tasks including but not limited to the following: Liaising with the Legal Aid Agency and making applications where applicable.  Performing legal and factual research – researching the most valid arguments, reviewing case facts, identifying the relevant laws and ensuring all other relevant information is considered in a case.  Summarising legal documents.  Checking the accuracy of legal forms.  Drafting and serving legal documents.  Assisting in the preparation of legal arguments, applications, declarations and motions.  Preparing, serving and/or responding to correspondence.  Interacting directly with clients, including taking initial instructions. Harding Evans Solicitors 15th May 2017| Job Vacancy Dispute Resolution Paralegal/Ref: HEDRP03

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Proof reading legal documents. Attend Court to provide representation on behalf of clients and a willingness to undertake own advocacy where applicable. To undertake any other legal and/or administrative duties as may reasonably be required from time to time. To achieve agreed levels of time-recording (as appropriate)

3. General Paralegal Responsibilities and Activities              

To undertake mandatory training or training identified as necessary to update skills or improve performance. Have appropriate skills or ability to acquire and develop skills in order to utilise case management system effectively To have an understanding of relevant legislation and identify cases requiring special attention and taking the appropriate action. To identify and initiate any cross-selling opportunities. To ensure client satisfaction remains a high priority at all times and ensuring appropriate client relationship management. To input, maintain and update information on the case management system and paper files. To ensure that supervision is sought prior to contacting third parties outside the Firm or undertaking any work outside of the scope of the role. To deal with routine incoming post, drafting replies as appropriate and resolving queries. To ensure protocols are in place to protect the confidentiality of both the firm’s and clients’ documentation and information To ensure all routine administrative processes are managed, including daily filing, opening, closing, storage and retrieval of client files in accordance with the office manual To provide support to partners and solicitors in the management of their cases as required. To ensure all work carried out is appropriately recorded to allow for proper billing You will also be required to undertake other tasks as directed to ensure the work of the department or firm as a whole is carried out. Post Holders will work collaboratively with other appropriate departments within the Firm to ensure a seamless service is provided for all Clients of the Firm.

This job description reflects the key tasks to be carried out by the post holder and identifies a level of responsibility at which they will be required to work. In the interests of effective working, the key tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder. Harding Evans Solicitors 15th May 2017| Job Vacancy Dispute Resolution Paralegal/Ref: HEDRP03

4. Person Specification 1.

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Criteria Knowledge, Training and Qualifications

Experience

Personal Skills & Qualities

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Essential Knowledge of litigation processes and understanding of legislation relevant to work type

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Educated to degree standard or recognised equivalent

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Strong mathematical skills

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High Proficiency in all Microsoft Office Packages including word, outlook e-mail, outlook diary functions.

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Experience of working in a litigation team in a fee earning capacity

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Experience of working to and dealing with court deadlines

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Experience of drafting legal documents

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Experience of successfully supporting senior fee earners

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Ability to manage competing demands whilst maintaining a professional service

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Ability to maintain attention to detail and accuracy when recording information, carrying out a task whilst working within tight timescales

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Excellent communication skills both written and verbal, with the ability to deliver clear and precise written reports, correspondence and documentation

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Good prioritising and planning skills to ensure that tight deadlines are achieved under pressure

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Ability to work with confidential

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Desirable Law Degree & LPC or recognised equivalent.

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An understanding of accounts ledgers and dictation systems.

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Experience of working in a legal office in a similar role.

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Experience of running own caseload of files

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Experience of working with Case Management Systems.

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Experience drafting applications for third party funding using CCMS system

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Ability to develop and communicate new ways or working, systems and procedures to ensure that own work and that of the team is carried out effectively.


and sensitive information with discretion 

Flexibility to work outside of normal office hours that may be required from time to time.

Signed……………………………………………… Date………………………............. (EMPLOYEE NAME)
