Job Description

Our established In-House Barrister (a Partner of the Company) is looking for an Advocacy Clerk with impeccable organizational skills to assist with diary management, departmental reporting, assessing incoming work, booking travel, and ad hoc administrative tasks as applicable. Please note we anticipate there to be two advocates in the early stages with possibility for growth within the department. This is a new role for the business and so it is expected that the successful candidate will be enthusiastic and flexible in order to assist with fine-tuning the specifics of the position.

The ideal candidate must have legal knowledge, this could have been gained as a Personal Assistant, someone with clerking experience at a Barristers Chambers, or other legal knowledge. Knowledge of Personal Injury is preferred but not essential. It will be necessary for the candidate to understand the logistics of the role of an Advocate and be able to organize the workload to suitably structure the Team’s working day. It is crucially important that the candidate is a confident communicator and can liaise quickly and effectively with members of staff at all levels of the business, including the Managing Partner. Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office packages, and a strong command of English spelling, punctuation and grammar are both essential. An audio typing speed of 65+ wpm is a distinct advantage. The successful candidate is expected to be pro-active and to use a high degree of self-management and initiative, as well as being a competent team player.

Job description

• To manage all incoming communications into the Advocacy Department, including requests for cover for hearings and drafting work.
• To understand the logistics of the role of an Advocate and organize the workload to properly structure the Team’s working day.
• To ensure the Advocates have the bundles/paperwork they need sufficiently in advance of hearing dates/drafting deadlines.
• To confidently conduct effective dialogue between instructing fee earners and the Advocacy Department.
• To make appointments, arrange meetings and to manage the Advocacy Department diary.
• To act as a PA to the Partner/Barrister as required.
• To liaise regularly with the Partner/Barrister, and occasionally with the Managing Partner.
• To work to strict deadlines.
• To prepare correspondence and documents through audiotyping and word processing.
• To provide support to other secretaries and the administration team as required.
• To produce reporting metrics for the department.
• To undertake ad hoc administrative tasks as required, to a strict deadline, such as printing, copying, bundling, and bookmarking and document retrieval.
• To undertake any specific training when required to do so and overall to have a responsibility towards self-development.
• To ensure the confidentiality of all the firm’s and clients’ documentation and information.
• Help us live the Service Pledge and deliver excellent levels of client care.

Salary, Hours & Benefits

• The salary is dependent on experience.
• Our standard working hours are 8:30am to 5:30am Monday-Thursday and 8:30am to 5pm Friday.
• 20 days holiday, rising 1 day per year to a max of 23 days, plus bank/public hols. In addition, the office is closed between Christmas and New Year and you are not required to use your holiday entitlement for this period
• 3 holiday buy backs per year after 1 year of service
• Private medical insurance available after 2 years’ service
• Death in Service – 2 x salary based on annual salary only – eligibility commences when you join the company
• Active social committee
• Employee Assistance Programme which offers 24-hour helpline, Legal info and CBT – available immediately

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Demonstrable legal knowledge (to be able to review incoming requests to the Advocacy Department and organize the workload appropriately). Computer literate. Excellent command of English spelling, punctuation and grammar (we may test at interview). Excellent word processing and audio typing skills. Excellent personal communication skills, including professional and friendly telephone manner. Experience of working in a legal environment. Highly motivated, enthusiastic and willing to learn. Capacity to work effectively in a pressured environment. High level of attention to detail. Previous experience of managing a barrister’s diary and/or as a PA. Demonstrable legal knowledge of Personal Injury. Knowledge of the Proclaim case management system. Audio typing speed of 65+ words per minute. Experience of working with court forms and creating pleadings. Experience of digital dictation, ideally Big Hand.