Penningtons Manches Cooper is a leading UK and international law firm which provides high quality legal advice tailored to both businesses and individuals. We address the specific objectives of each client through our flair and technical expertise and offer a personal service founded on a strong team ethic. Today, we have UK offices in the City of London, Basingstoke, Birmingham, Cambridge, Guildford, Oxford and Reading while our growing overseas network stretches from Europe to Asia through our presence in Singapore, Piraeus, Paris and Madrid. With 130 partners and over 880 people in total, our main areas of practice are dispute resolution, corporate and commercial, real estate, private client and family. Our continuing commitment to excellence is backed by a track record which dates back nearly 300 years. We pay great attention to matching our clients’ requirements with the right skills, delivered cost effectively and within the appropriate timescale. Among our clients we count multi-national corporations, public companies, professional partnerships, banks and financial institutions as well as private individuals, owner managed businesses and start-ups. We are conscious that our culture and close working relationships are vital assets and we are determined to maintain these as we increase in size. We are looking for an experienced debt recovery paralegal/associate to work within the Commercial Dispute Resolution department (“ CDR ”). This could be based in our London, Birmingham or Oxford office. This role will be responsible for recovering debt for the firm, and will work closely with our Finance team. The successful candidate will have experience running litigation in the County courts. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who is looking for excellent quality work in a supportive and collegiate team. We would consider part time working. Communicating by email and telephone with clients / prospective clients / other parties. Drafting correspondence and other key documents. Writing letters to inform clients of their outstanding accounts. Answering phone calls from non-paying clients with questions about their debts. Calling non-paying clients and determining why their payments are outstanding. Explaining payment plan options to non-paying clients, negotiating payment terms and enrolling clients interested in these payment programs. Identifying vulnerable clients and escalating their cases to support teams. Identifying non-compliant clients and escalating their cases to insolvency teams. Working closely with internal stakeholders to progress matters, including client relationship partners and the finance team. Issuing and serving claim forms to recover internal debts, where appropriate Litigating unpaid bills to recover the same, where appropriate Working with team to improve efficiency and client service via document automation. Other ad hoc tasks required by the team, which may include debt recovery for some selected clients of the firm. · Degree or CILEX qualification. · Excellent oral and written skills and IT literate (confident user of MS Office). · Good time-management and organisational skills when assisting a number of different fee earners. · Ability to maintain composure under pressure. · Pragmatic and problem-solving. · Excellent attention to accuracy and detail. · Proactive approach to case work and enhancing the team’s existing high standards of client service - receptive to facilitate and support change. · Strong communications skills and confidence with clients. · Ability to work collaboratively or independently. · Appreciation of fee earner needs and constraints. · Commercial awareness. · Enthusiasm for defamation, privacy and data protection law. At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. You can find out more about our firm’s commitment, initiatives and Pennclusion committees here. We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long-term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity. If you would like to request an adjustment, please contact Niamh.Maddenpenningtonslaw.com