24.30 - Deputy Advocates' Clerk (Ampersand) (Permanent)
Posted: 15/11/2024 15:32
Salary: Grade 2b £35,533 - £43,192 per annum
Location: Edinburgh
Deadline: 25/11/2024 17:00
Hours: 35.00
Benefits: Generous Range of Benefits
Job Type: Permanent
Job Title:
Deputy Advocates’ Clerk
Reports to:
Practice Manager/Senior Clerk
Role Purpose:
* Provide day-to-day support to the Practice Manager in managing the operations of a devolved Scottish Stable of Advocates within Faculty Services Limited.
Summary of Responsibilities:
* Diary Management: Manage enquiries, availability, recommendations, instructions, hearings, meetings; assess work and case loads.
* Advocacy support: Provide practice management advice and support.
* Fee and financial advice: Provide fee advice; draft terms of engagements; negotiate fees; prepare cost analysis and estimates; maintain knowledge of market rates.
* Practice Promotion and Marketing: Administer events, seminars; legal directory submissions, promote counsel; website maintenance; social media and engagement channels.
Key Responsibilities:
(Working Under Direction of Head of Stable)
* Fee Negotiation and Financial Management:
o Handle fee negotiations, engaging with Counsel and Agents as appropriate on fees on all funding types, including judicial accounts of expenses and legal aid offers.
o Provide cost analyses, fee estimates and projections for cases.
o Draft terms of engagements, retainers and commitment fees.
o Advise on fees and keep abreast on market rates.
* Diary Management and Administration:
o Case management: consider caseloads and capacity of members when placing/allocating instructions.
o Create cases, add/enter legal aid certificates and fee quotes complying with agreed protocols and procedures, ensuring accurate client records and case details maintained.
o Handle enquiries, availability, recommendations, instructions, hearings, and meetings. Record instructions, correspondence, and other case details to maintain data integrity on Case Management and Data Storage platforms. Regular contact with all stakeholders, especially counsel and clients.
o Assist with reporting, record keeping and scheduling.
o Ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
* Client Needs Assessment:
o Match Counsel experience to Agent requirements.
o Foster strong working relationships with Agents and evaluate client needs.
* Practice Promotion and Marketing:
o Administer events, seminars, assist with annual legal directory submissions and marketing materials.
o Promote Counsel and identify new opportunities.
o Maintain website and engage on social media platforms.
* Learning and Development:
o Maintain knowledge and adapt to changes in legal practice and procedures.
o Provide training and support on processes and procedures to new and more junior clerks.
* Other Duties:
o Deputise for Practice Manager when required.
o Support special projects as needed.
o Contribute as appropriate to overall strategic goals of Faculty Services Limited.
o As appropriate participate in strategic planning for business growth and brand development of the Faculty of Advocates and Faculty Services Limited.
o As appropriate assist in governance-related activities of the Faculty of Advocates and Faculty Services Limited.
Performance Requirements and Conditions:
Education/Experience:
o Minimum of 3 years of proven experience in an administrative position with strong organizational, communication, and negotiating skills with high level of IT skills proficiency.
o Preference given to candidates with administrative experience within a legal environment.
o Hold SCE Higher Grade English, or equivalent, together with significant relevant experience.
Skills:
o Excellent communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and administrative skills.
o Ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, and exercise diplomacy.
o IT literacy and competent keyboard skills, including proficiency in Lex, Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Learning Period:
o A training period of six months from date of appointment is required before assuming full responsibilities. The learning experience of the position is ongoing and is supported by training and development linked to individual needs and Stable preferences.
Supervision Received:
o Supervised by the Practice Manager.
Accountability:
o Accountable in the performance of duties to the Practice Manager, Stable, Counsel, Faculty Services Limited and the Courts.
o Work as part of a team managing own workload and priorities within the framework of the Clerking Team goals, objectives and business plan.
o Performance subject to feedback and scrutiny of Practice Manager and Stable Committee comprising of elected Stable members.
o Reports to the Practice Manager/Senior Clerk.
Other Factors:
o Problem-solving is crucial, requiring creative thinking and flexibility.
o Adapt to the unique culture of the Faculty and Parliament House.
#J-18808-Ljbffr