Job Description

About the team

This role is within Catriona Ratcliffe's team. Catriona specialises in industrial disease claims, including cases involving exposure to harmful substances such as asbestos and silica dust. Catriona is instructed by clients who have been diagnosed with conditions such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and silicosis and who are facing significantly reduced life expectancies. She is also acts for bereaved families.



The successful candidate will support Catriona across a broad range of industrial disease cases. This position is well-suited to someone seeking to build a career in personal injury law and who is motivated by securing justice for individuals and their families.

Overall purpose for this role

A paralegal within the Personal Injury department is expected to:

provide a reliable and efficient support service primarily to the supervising fee-earner and assist with general administration of caseloads, Undertake a wide variety of administrative tasks as set out below, Undertake other ad-hoc duties as required from time to time.

Main duties and responsibilities

Assist with drafting documents, client liaison, research work, general correspondence, assist with procedures relating to costs collections and administrative support. Sort and review medical and financial records, liaise with medical professionals, financial institutions and other solicitors. In the absence of supervising fee-earner, ensure that urgent matters are referred to appropriate personnel.

File/case management

Attend court on applications, trials etc. when requested to do so. Thorough and accurate note taking at meetings and preparation of file notes. Preparing court and other documents for the approval of the fee earner. Organising and preparing court and other bundles.

Telephones

Telephone clients/other contacts as and when necessary, dealing with such calls in a courteous and efficient manner.

Client relations

Communicate effectively; be approachable and professional in all dealings. Ensure cheques are requisitioned/ paid in as instructed. To ensure monetary transactions are dealt with efficiently and in accordance with office procedures.

Filing

Ensure filing kept up-to-date and copies of correspondence/ documents are kept in the file, open new files/close old files as required. Pay attention to detail and ensure accuracy.

Information technology

To utilise I.T. to provide a quality, cost effective and efficient service to clients.

Training

To try and keep up-to-date by attending in-house seminars, through research, reading and attending courses if appropriate. To ensure that adequate training is received to be able to gain maximum benefit from the firm's investment in Information Technology. Any other tasks as might from time to time will be required.

Performance measured by

Effective support of the Supervising Fee-earner. Efficiency in dealing with work and accuracy of work produced. Ability to work with initiative; maintaining a flexible and responsible approach. Personal development and contribution to the overall objectives of the firm. Good attendance and timekeeping.

Person specification

Genuine interest to work with a leading claimant law firm and passionate about providing access to justice to all. Experience in sorting and reviewing medical, financial records and drafting legal documentation and correspondence. Good academic background with legal qualifications (Degree, GDL, LPC etc.). Demonstrable experience in using a variety of IT packages (MS Word, Excel, Case Management Systems and Outlook). Proven ability to communicate accurately, clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing with a wide range of clients and various stakeholders. Proven ability to organise and prioritise a complex workload and work to tight deadlines whilst maintaining a positive attitude. Proven ability to work and contribute in a team environment. Proven ability to be self-sufficient in relation to administration, typing and IT requirements.

Desirable

Relevant paralegal experience in Personal Injury. * Experience in interviewing clients, taking witness statements, dealing sensitively and managing difficult situations and conversations.