Assistant File Handler

Job Description

The Assistant File Handler will manage a caseload of EL/PL cases on behalf of a number of corporate clients. The role requires a forensic and analytical approach to the issues together with experience and/or appreciation of the documents and evidence requiredin these types of cases. The work types likely to feature in the case load are Pre-action disclosure files, Infant Approval Hearings, MOJ Stage 3 files and some low value Small Claims or Fast Track Litigated claims. In addition the Assistant File Handler willsupport the team on tasks within their caseloads.Compensation packageHyrbrid working 1 day in the office, 4 days remote,Health Care Cash Plan, Holidays 25 days plus 8 bank holidays (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days) increasing to 26 after 5 years’ service and to 27 after 10 years’ service, Death In Service - after 1 year,Employer Pension Contribution, Cycle to Work Scheme, Tech Scheme, Season Ticket Loan*, Gym FlexKey AccountabilitiesDuties on the Assistant File Handler’s own caseload:

• Day to day handling of litigated EL/PL cases
• Considering and responding to Applications for Pre-action disclosure
• Handling matters in accordance with client SLA’s
• Instructing Counsel/advocate
• Reviewing evidence
• Legal Research
• Negotiation
• Dealing with routine correspondence
• Initial review and setting strategy for the management of the claim
• Reviewing matters throughout
• CRU

Duties as an Assistant to File Handlers in the team:

• Dealing with disclosure
• Reviewing evidence (including medical / personnel records)
• Conducting investigations with Insured’s / obtaining witness statements
• Liaising with parties involved in claims including the insured, Claimant Solicitors and witnesses
• Instructing Counsel / Experts
• Attending conferences and Trials with Counsel and note taking
• Dealing with routine correspondence
• Reviewing quantum
• Drafting Tomlin Orders and Consent Orders
• Drafting Cost schedules
• Dealing with general or straightforward queries
• Telephone chasing activities
• Drafting Direction Questionnaires and witness summons
• Ensuring compliance with the SRA Code of Conduct.

Working Hours35 hours per week Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch. Office location for the role is Liverpool.Recruitment CriteriaEssential

• Some legal work experience
• Confident with good telephone and communication skills with people at all levels inside and outside the business
• An ability to organise and prioritise tasks using initiative
• Calm under pressure with the ability to re-prioritise and delegate effectively when required
• An ability to maintain attention to detail when dealing with repetitive tasks
• Good Literacy and IT skills
• Good team worker with the flexibility to do what is required to get a result and ensure client service levels are met
• Ability to work effectively within the Keoghs Shared Behaviour framework
• Contributes actively to an environment in which colleagues work cooperatively with each other.
• Ability to meet performance targets
• Positive, confident and enthusiastic
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills
• Good client care skills and ability to work to client guidelines
• Ability to prioritise work, keep to deadlines and work under pressure
• High level of analytical skills

Desirable

• Legal Education- ILEX, LPC or equivalent work experience
• Experience of handling a caseload of EL/PL files would be advantageous
• Previous litigation experience
• Good advocacy skills

Required Soft SkillsPersonal Effectiveness

• Team Commitment: Encourages and supports others
• Resilience: Supports others who are experiencing pressure in their workload
• Passion for Growth and Improvement: Delivers step change performance Improvement
• Embracing Change: Identifies actions to deliver change

Business Focus:

• Client Care: Works to add value for the client
• Decision Making: Identifies options and proposals
• Negotiation, Influence and Persuasion: Creates a calculated impact
• Commercial Insight: Thinks and acts commercially

Our culture is focussed on making Keoghs sustainable and successful for our people and clients, with this our four values are at the heart of everything we do;ValuesWe are connectedWe are innovativeWe are dynamicWe succeed together