Key Responsibilities
1. To provide a high-quality legal service to clients on all aspects of general crime including: Advice and advocacy in the Magistrates Courts and when required at the Police station in your designated geographic area
2. To utilise technical knowledge and skills to: analyse information and reach sound decisions on client instructions communicate succinctly both orally and in writing research appropriate case law and technical and legal precedents to progress matters
3. Meet IBB quality/professional standards including: ensuring personal targets are achieved ensuring that all team chargeable work is properly recorded on client matters adhering to the Code of Conduct on client care and to the IBB file management policies as set out in the Office Manual understanding the obligations relating to the Solicitors Accounts Rules and ensuring the preparation of files fully compliant with the LAA regulations in accordance with the Legal Aid Agency contracting rules.
4. Ensuring files are maintained properly and that matters are progressed in line with the firm’s standard up to and including billing and file closing including: Maintaining good file management and ensuring file opening and closing is carried out in line with IBB procedures, Office Manual and regulatory requirements. Complying with the CQS scheme and CML and Building Society Handbooks requirements as varied from time to time. Preparing bills and statements of accounts in accordance with IBB procedures. Collecting and distributing client and office funds in accordance with IBB procedures. Complying with the Office Manual and immediately reporting to the partner on any areas of concern or risk to the client and/or firm. Ensuring all chargeable work is properly recorded on client matters. Adhering to the Law Society’s client care directive, CQS requirements, CML and Building Society requirements and to the firm’s own policies as set out in the Office Manual.
5. Developing innovative ways to achieve competitive advantage and profitability by working with all the CLS partners where appropriate to explore opportunities to improve process, communication and speed of service delivery.
6. Ensure you are well organised and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills so that work is prioritised and progressed as efficiently as possible; your Team Leader and the partners in the Group are sufficiently aware of your workload and specific issues and you maintain a flexible and proactive approach to work.
7. Start to build your own network and profile by assisting the team in its marketing objectives, to include activities such as attending client events and assisting the partners in organising client events.
8. Establish and maintain contact with relevant third parties and ensure good working relationships with referrers and other external contacts.
9. Optimise the use of technology and applications to make the client experience as smooth and efficient as possible.
10. Remain professionally and technically up to date by participating in learning and development activities and recording CPD, as well as developing knowledge of the market place and client base.
Person Specification
Qualifications
11. You will be a Duty Qualified Solicitor
12. Strong academics: educated to degree level (with at least a 2:1) and a strong LPC pass (or equivalent) and hold a clean practising certificate from the SRA
Skills and Experience
13. Indicatively, 3- 6 years post qualification experience in this area of legal work
14. Exposure to a broad range of cases and clients at Magistrates Court
15. Strong exposure to broad areas of law with an understanding of both contentious and non-contentious matters.
16. IT literate including proficient with Microsoft applications and self-sufficient in using document management systems and the internet as business tools.
17. At ease and confident working on your own caseload and acting on a transaction from start to finish.
18. Experience of delegating work and managing monitoring systems with the ability to provide supervision and support.
19. IT literate with good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint and self-sufficient in using document management systems and the internet as a business tool.
20. Able to take a flexible approach and work to tight deadlines whilst maintaining the highest quality standards and attention to detail
21. Ability to demonstrate business development skills
22. Experience of working under CQS scheme (desirable)