Paralegal (Family Law)

**Who are we?**

Susan Howarth & Co. Solicitors is proud to be an independent, market town practice which was established in 1997 with the belief that everyone has a right to access justice.

With a commitment to deliver the highest quality of service to all clients, we offer high-quality legal advice in Family Law, Commercial & Residential Property and Wills, Trusts & Probate incl. Powers of Attorney & Court of Protection.

Regardless of size and geography, we’ve proved that recognition for expert legal advice, client care and excellent in service delivery can be achieved with the right goals and ambition by way of our ranking as a Band 3 Leading Family Law Firm in The Legal500 (with Susan Howarth ranked as a Leading Individual for 3 years) and a Band 2 ranked practice in Chambers & Partners, not to mention our Lexcel accredition for excellence in practice management and our shortlisting for the Lexis Nexis Family Law Firm ofthe Year (North) for 2 consecutive years.

Community-focussed and forward-thinking, we pride ourself on our people and promote organic growth.

We adopt a down-to-earth 'all hands to the pump’ approach to working within the firm, which includes participation in practice marketing and staff events - we’re a friendly office with a family feel and an open-door policy for all.

**The role**

To support the fee earners in their daily fee earning role and under supervision to undertake a personal fee-earning workload and provide a profitable contribution to the work of the Department including administrative duties.

**Key tasks - Fee Earning**

Undertake certain elements of fee-earning work under supervision. In particular:

- Generation of suitable client care correspondence
- Interview clients
- Drafting of petition/court documentation
- Progressing divorce proceedings through all stages up to grant of Decree Absolute
- Deal wherever possible with routine client enquiries and communications
- Negotiating on behalf of clients by telephone and correspondence where appropriate and directed to do so
- Dealing with telephone calls both incoming and outgoing on behalf of fee earners
- Completion of Form E’s and other Court Documents
- Manage the collation of matter start and matter completion data and prepare all claims for costs
- Deputise for Kate Dickinson in her absence, passing urgent issues to another senior fee-earner for guidance
- Co-ordination of the key dates reminder system as outlined in the Office Manual
- Ensure that all client work is progressed efficiently, expeditiously, accurately and that the client is kept regularly informed on progress and on costs
- Attending client meetings, taking and preparing witness statements
- Collate and prepare Court Bundles

**Key Tasks - Administrative**
- Undertake such audio/copy typing as required in your role
- Open and maintain files to expected standard
- Input data in to the firm’s computer system as required
- Receive and make telephone calls to and in relation to clients and attend upon clients as directed
- Assist in updating precedents as instructed
- Assist in the maintenance of the divorce diary including maintenance of a brought forward system

**Miscellaneous**
- Undergo such training as might be appropriate for the role, assist with in-house training as may be required and take responsibility for issues of personal self-development
- Manage all client work in accordance with details procedures and quality standards
- Carry out any other duties as appropriate to the nature of the post as may be required
- Attend staff and departmental meetings as required
- Uphold the aims and principles of the firms’ policies

**What is required?**

As a Paralegal you should ideally have experience in basic family law/as a legal assistant, preferably gained over a 3-year period or more.

We value personality, compassion, flexibility, enthusiasm, initiative and loyalty.

Additional skills required for the role include:

- A pleasant but assertive manner in dealing with colleagues and clients - tact and resilience are essential qualities
- Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, with a good command of written English
- Strong efficiency and organisational skills, with good control of diary systems and solid computer literacy
- A pragmatic approach to the workload
- Strong team player

**Likely training requirements**
- Annual in-house training in GDPR, Cyber Security, Conflict of Interest, Money Laundering, Equality & Diversity.
- In house Office Manual
- All policies/plans and procedures of the practice
- In house Legal Aid training