Legal Administrator

High net worth private clients form a significant part of the client base for IBB’s private practice. Services including wills, probate, tax, trusts, estate planning and property advice for individuals. Work is also undertaken for institutional clients. The team is particularly strong in its Court of Protection work. Three solicitors are members of STEP. Other related teams with whom there is a close working relationship are contentious probate, charities, family law including children’s cases, employment and personal injury

Job Purpose

This is a central support role working with partners and lawyers across the Wills, Trusts, Probate and Court of Protection team who undertake a number of key routine and non-routine tasks. 

1.   Legal tasks as required including:

• Drafting documents including wills, lasting powers of attorney, witness statements, oaths, estate accounts
• Loading information onto and using the probate tool
• Recording chargeable and investment time
• Preparing standard correspondence and documents on matters
• Liaising with clients by email, telephone and in person
• Assisting solicitors and other fee earners
• Conducting legal research using tools such as LexisNexis and Lawtel Westlaw.
• Checking lengthy documentation and proofreading as required
• Completing legal forms.

2.  Administrative tasks to include:

• File opening in accordance with IBB procedures to include data input, completion of internal forms and procedures, preparation of anti-money laundering documentation, setting up the paper file and file labels, preparing the initial letters for fee earner review

• File closing in accordance with IBB procedures to include data input, checking ledger balances, filleting files, returning client documents, completion of internal forms

• Preparation of bills in accordance with IBB procedures, to include collating disbursement receipts, liaising with accounts and preparing all documentation to be sent to the client in accordance with defined procedures

• Filing time sheets, incoming correspondence, outgoing copies, invoices, reports and paper files in/out of the filing system. Assisting with file checking and organising in preparation for semi-annual quality audits.

• Checking deeds in and out of the deeds storage facility. Collecting deeds from the floor and returning them to storage.

• Printing, scanning, copying documents. Generally liaising with the document management centre on document production/collation tasks.

• Ad hoc data input as and when required (CRM and PMS)

3.   Any other duties as and when required

Education

• Post graduate level (preferably law) LPC, legal executive qualifications or experience as a Legal Administrator.

Experience and Skills

• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Experience of using a legal Practice Management System is a distinct advantage
• Strong communication skills
• Highly literate and numerate with the ability to read and assimilate complex written information
• Strong legal research skills
• Focussed on accuracy and attention to detail with the ability to proof-read
• Well organised and able to work to deadlines and guidelines

Competitive