Job Description

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.
We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.
Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.
With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.
The department
Birketts is recruiting for an ambitious, driven and forward thinking Paralegal on a full time basis to join our growing Debt Recovery Team. The role will be based from our modern office in Ipswich town centre, situated a 5 minutes' walk from the train station.
The Debt Recovery Team acts for a wide range of clients, from major PLCs, through to SMEs and family owned businesses. The Debt Recovery Team prides itself on developing relationships with its clients that assist in resolving debtor issues quickly and with minimum fuss. Many of its clients have been clients of the Debt Recovery Team for many years.
Our teams are routinely ranked in the top tier by the legal directories, Legal 500 and Chambers. Indeed, Birketts has more ranked contentious lawyers than any other firm in East Anglia. Legal 500 [2025]: "Birketts solicitors demonstrate a unique strength in their exceptional responsiveness and efficiency. They exhibit a remarkable ability to promptly respond to emails and swiftly act on requests, consistently delivering favourable outcomes for their clients. Potential clients would appreciate their dedication to providing timely and effective solutions, ensuring a positive experience throughout the engagement process."
Purpose of job
If you are seeking a new, challenging role with a modern, forward-thinking law firm, then this could be the role for you. You will be given early responsibilities, with the opportunity to manage your own caseload (and fee-earn alongside the experts) and the chance to get involved in some really exciting and complex transactions.
Accountabilities

• Good working knowledge of debt recovery and enforcement in the County Court.
• Manage an active caseload with the aim of providing efficient and effective debt recovery advice.
• Deal with incoming post and ensure systems are updated and operated correctly.
• Liaise directly with other Teams within the firm, clients, debtors, the Court and external third parties.
• Drafting Letters of Claim pursuant to the Practice Direction - Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols and the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims.
• Negotiating settlements, instalments and monitoring payment plans.
• Preparing Claim Forms.
• Requesting Judgment in Default.
• Advising clients on enforcement options and progressing enforcement with the Court, Land Registry and through High Court Enforcement Officers.
• Assist with the preparation of client reports.

The candidate
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a dynamic and growing team dealing with high quality and varied work.
We are looking for:

• Law degree or equivalent is welcome but not essential.
• Excellent computer/technical skills. In particular, working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of software including Outlook, Excel and Word.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to communicate with colleagues at all levels of seniority and liaise effectively with other internal departments and external contacts.
• Ability to use discretion with a positive and enthusiastic approach to team work.
• A flexible, highly motivated, proactive and 'can do' working style.
• Self-motivated, ability to use initiative and provide pro-active support the Commercial Litigation Team.
• Ability to pay attention to detail and check own work.
• Good organisational skills, able to prioritise, make decisions and work effectively within a sometimes pressurised environment.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and development.

Equal opportunities
At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
• Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR Day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Day Policy

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.
Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.
Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.