Full job descriptionJOB PURPOSE:
To support the delivery of Legal Services provided by the Legal Services Teams (Governance, Property Planning and Litigation (GPP&L) and the Adults, Children’s and Education (ACE) Team through the provision of efficient proactive client focused administrative service to the Legal Department and all internal clients and external contacts in a timely manner. The remit covers telephone, email and face to face contact. The provision of non-standard correspondence, compiling legal notices and reports, the preparation of legal files and Court Bundles. To liaise with external solicitors, barristers and the Courts.
MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:
To act as a first point of contact for the Legal Services Teams taking telephone messages, prioritising emails, making diary appointments. Communicate effectively and in a timely manner with the Teams to enable the Teams to carry out their role to expected standards.
To liaise with the appropriate points of contact to arrange hearings, court dates and meetings for the Legal Teams ensuring the timely distribution of accompanying papers as necessary.
To provide an administrative support service in order to ensure that all communications are of a high standard. The post holder will work with the Legal Services case management system to produce reports, letters, memoranda, forms, notices and all other legal documentation commensurate to a busy legal department. Accuracy of the information will be vital, and the post holder will be responsible for checking the accuracy and prioritising their work.
To provide a full administrative support to Legal Services, including scanning, non-standard letter writing, basic report completion, Court Bundling and the collation of hearing papers as required.
To make appropriate and effective use of the IKEN case management system and develop templates as required.
To work closely with other team members to develop competence and confidence in dealing with Legal issues and sharing good practices.
To input data into the case management system, checking information, keeping accurate records, providing statutory information and statistics as required.
To deal promptly with requests from the Client Departments, external solicitors, barristers and the Courts.
To undertake any such other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required from time to time as required by the Senior Legal Practice Clerk and the Head of Legal Services.
Criterion:
Education to GCSE in English language and Math’s grade C or above in order to demonstrate a high level of literacy and numeracy to undertake a range of duties including writing non-standard letters, legal notices, compiling reports, preparation of legal files and Court Bundles.
Demonstrable and high level of knowledge and ability of Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook and Internet use. Evidence of use/knowledge of case managements systems - e.g. IKEN.
Experience and demonstrable evidence within Legal Administration or an Administration role.
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal providing clear and concise information to a wide range of audiences which includes Chief Executive, Management Team, Client Department, external solicitors, barristers and the Courts.
Demonstrable evidence of prioritising own workload and prioritising the team work load to ensure deadlines are met well within given and procedural timeframes.
Recognise when to refer queries and questions on to Lawyers.
Ability to develop strong positive working relationship with own team and with the wider teams in Legal, the Council and external legal agencies.
Manage a range of information in accordance with the Data Protection Act, ensuring accuracy at all times. Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professional behavior at all times.
Able to demonstrate a sound understanding of the principles of equality, diversity whilst working to the expected standards of the authority at all times
Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.