Job Description

Overall purpose of the role

To assist the Partner with high value personal injury cases and run own caseload of serious injury cases, the majority being RTCs involving cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and motorists. To carry out business development relevant to the role. To assist the firm in achieving its stated professional and commercial objectives.

Main duties and responsibilities

File Management

To manage personal injury cases from start to finish; To obtain accurate information and instructions from clients, analyse the legal and practical aspects of their claims and obtain the necessary documents/evidence to provide advice on funding/liability/quantum/costs. To instruct medico-legal experts to advise on liability, causation and quantum. To analyse and advise on strategy, tactics, and how best to achieve the most successful outcome for each client according to the particular circumstances of their case. To endeavour to achieve optimum settlements for clients, whether that be pre-litigation, or by conducting litigation through to trial or earlier settlement and to deal with post trial/settlement considerations including costs. To enable clients and/or their litigation friends to make informed decisions based on advice. To ensure the timely and effective deployment of others involved in the matter e.g. expert witnesses, enquiry agents, counsel, cost draftsmen. To comply with the Civil Procedures Rules.

Client Relations

To deal with clients in a sensitive, professional and compassionate way. To identify clients' objectives and to seek to further them in a manner consistent with all professional and ethical obligations.

Business development

Take part in business development activities relevant to the role and department.

Professional Standard

To work and behave in a professional manner and within the highest ethical and other standards of the profession. Comply with procedures set out in the office manual, professional standards and any requirement set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or similar interested bodies e.g. Legal Expense Insurers. To ensure monetary transactions are dealt with efficiently and in accordance with professional rules. To maintain the strictest standards of client confidentiality at all times.

Other Responsibilities

To anticipate as well as to respond to clients' needs and demands. Sharing of information with colleagues. To participate in the growth and development of the department/firm.

Management of Resources

To assist the firm in maximising income and profitability by effective time recording, billing and staff planning.

Training

To keep up to date with developments in law and practice. Individuals who need CPD hours must keep their records up to date and comply with the relevant CPD requirements.

Information Technology

Wherever possible, to utilise I.T. to provide a quality, cost effective and efficient service to clients. To maintain the strictest concern for and awareness of the need for data protection at all times.




Any other tasks as might from time to time be required.

Performance Measured By

Conducting matters on behalf of clients to their satisfaction. Careful file management and the keeping of detailed contemporaneous attendance notes of all work done on behalf of our clients. Compliance with time recording requirements and reaching financial targets. Efficiency in dealing with work and accuracy of work produced. Ability to work with initiative; maintaining a flexible and responsible approach. Knowledge and use of court rules and procedures. Personal development and contribution to the overall objectives of the firm. Good attendance, presentation and timekeeping.

Person Specification

Ability to demonstrate a commitment to equality, access to justice and affordable legal advice of the highest quality. Experience in Serious Personal Injury. Qualified lawyer with solid demonstrable experience in Personal Injury. It would ideally suit lawyers with 0-3 years of relevant post qualification experience. Demonstrable knowledge in conduct of cases from initial advice through to trial. Relevant experience in analysing complex factual and legal situations and advising clients in accordance with their aims. Substantial experience in dealing sensitively with clients and experts, providing solutions and managing difficult situations and conversations. Ability to analyse complex factual and legal situations and advise as to the critical path that should be followed. A keenness to engage in business development. Solid experience in using a variety of IT packages (MS Word, Excel, Case Management Systems and Outlook). Excellent communication skills, demonstrated by ability to communicate accurately, clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. Excellent time management skills demonstrated by ability to organise and prioritise a complex workload and work to tight deadlines. Experience in working and contributing in a team environment.

About Leigh Day

We are a top 100 law firm committed to claimant-only cases, ensuring that individuals have the same access to justice as the UK Government and large corporations. We're not afraid to take on difficult and challenging cases involving medical negligence, serious personal injuries, discrimination in the workplace, defective products and human rights abuses in this country and overseas.

Benefits

29 days' holiday per annum inclusive of 4 days' compulsory leave to be taken during the Christmas office closure, plus all public and bank holidays; two weeks' of working elsewhere; contributory pension scheme; life assurance (4 times annual salary); private medical insurance; interest free season ticket loan; childcare vouchers; cycle to work scheme; electric vehicle scheme. Our hybrid working policy for full-time employees is three days in the office and two at home, and we also offer free breakfast and lunch every day for those coming into to the office.



We also have annual social activities and genuinely pride ourselves on having a supportive and friendly culture.

Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Leigh Day is committed to the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We value the diversity of our colleagues, our clients and the third parties with whom we work. We seek to create an environment where everyone feels included and valued for their unique characteristics, skills and abilities and supported in their needs and responsibilities.



We welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. Please let us know if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application or recruitment process. There is an option to detail this on your application form, however, please just get in touch should you wish to discuss this prior to formally submitting an application. Please note all conversations or disclosures are treated in the strictest confidence.