Legal Secretary

**Brook Street (UK) Ltd are recruiting a Legal Secretary/ PA for our leading Public Sector Client,**
**Education Authority Northern Ireland, located in their Commercial Property Dept. Dundonald.**

**Job Purpose**
- To act as Personal Assistant to a Solicitor within EA Solicitors
- To assist with commercial property matters and the investigation and defense of informal and formal complaints / legal proceedings against the Education Authority ("EA") and/or controlled schools.
- To undertake such other duties relevant to the Education Authority Solicitors ("EA Solicitors") as may be reasonably required from time to time.

**MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

**1. To act as Personal Assistant to the Solicitor**
- To provide P.A. support to the Solicitor, always ensure strictest confidentiality and diplomacy, make and take calls on behalf of the Solicitor, and maintain a personal and office diary, ensuring compatibility.
- Check and prioritise mail.
- Co-ordinate and administer work of Solicitor in their absence, with regard to conveyancing/ property matters, employment law cases, litigation, tribunals (including SENDIST), judicial reviews and on-going legal matters.
- Ensure the timely provision of advice and information to internal and external clients, regarding meeting strict deadlines.
- To draft and prepare routine correspondence and reports, collate information and prepare and update statistical information.
- Arrange meetings, consultations, Tribunal hearings, Court appearances and talks/conferences. Arrange alternative cover in Solicitor's absence.

**2. Commercial Property.**
- To assist the EA Solicitors in the preparation of: Contracts for Sale, Conveyancing Documents, Completion of Pre-Contract Enquiries.
- To assist the EA Solicitors in ensuring documentation is presented for Stamping and Registration within prescribed legal times.
- To accurately Schedule and return/ receipt Title Documents to and from the EA Headquarters and to third party solicitors.

**3. Investigation and Defence of Formal and Informal Complaints / Legal Proceedings against EA /Schools**
- To assist the Solicitor or any other solicitor within EA Solicitors in the investigation and defence of formal and informal complaints/proceedings referred from EA Directorates /Schools.
- To adhere to strict deadlines to ensure statutory time limits are met.
- To assist in the process of appeals against Tribunal / Court decisions
- To assist in the collation and indexing of discoverable documentation, Court / Tribunal bundles etc.
- Assist with the drafting and response of Notices of Appearances, Notices for Additional Information, Notices for Discovery etc.
- To maintain effective communication and co-operations with relevant persons including EA Officers, Boards of Governors, Counsel, Witnesses and outside Agencies to ensure quality service delivered.
- To assist with preparation and collation of Counsel's papers and arrange for delivery of same.
- To attend consultations and hearings (as required) in order to provide verbatim report on proceedings.
- To administer payment of Counsel's fees.

**4. Judicial Reviews**
- To assist the Solicitor or any other EA Solicitor by liaising with Transfer Officers, Tribunal members and Counsel to arrange for compilation and forwarding of relevant information.
- To arrange consultations and prepare necessary documentation.
- Prepare Affidavits as drafted by Counsel and arrange for swearing of same by Tribunal member and external Solicitors.
- Requisitioning of cheques in accordance with appropriate fees, lodge official documentation at Court and return all original documentation to EA Regions.

**You should have**:
A minimum of five GCSE's (Grades A*-C) including English and Maths or equivalent or higher examinations qualifications.

AND

Have either a minimum of two year's experience in a paid capacity providing administrative support which must include the following:

- Using Microsoft Word (to process letters, memos, reports etc.);
- Drafting correspondence
- Diary Management; and
- Maintaining Records.

In addition to the above, you must also be able to demonstrate at an interview the under-noted knowledge, skills and personal qualities:

- Knowledge of Legal work
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Proven ability to successfully plan, prioritise and manage the work of yourself and others within required timescales
- Proven ability to demonstrate initiative, work flexibly and resolve complex matters with mínimal direction and supervision.
- Proven ability to develop and maintain good working relationships at a range of levels including senior management level.
- Proven ability to exercise discretion in dealing with confidential or sensitive matters.

In return, you will benefit from:

- Full training and induction
- Pension Scheme
- Competitive rates of pay
- Brook Street (UK) Ltd back-office support and mentoring

The rate of pay is £12.94 per hour, the hours of work are 36hrs