Full-time or Part-time Legal Secretary (PERMANENT)

Susan Howarth & Company Solicitors Ltd; Northwich; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Holiday entitlement 20 days + birthday

Sick pay 10 days

Job summary

Susan Howarth & Co. Solicitors is seeking a capable Legal Secretary (full-time or part-time) to support our solicitors in a Private Client department. The role involves audio-typing, document preparation, and efficient diary management to ensure smooth client service.

We value a proactive, personable candidate with a strong work ethic who can deliver high-quality legal support. Pension, holiday entitlement, and other benefits are offered to long-serving staff.

Qualifications

• Prior experience as a legal secretary or legal assistant is preferred.
• Experience within Private Client (Wills, Trusts & Probate) is advantageous but not essential.
• Strong diary management and organisation skills required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support to Solicitors for client matters.
• Prepare correspondence and documents via audio-typing/word processing.
• Maintain filing, diary, and client records in accordance with firm procedures.
• Handle client communications by phone and email professionally.

Skills

Legal secretary experience

Diary management

Microsoft Office

Client correspondence

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Full-time or Part-time Legal Secretary (PERMANENT)

Company:

Salary: Pension, Holiday entitlement - 20 days (increasing after 2 years of service by 1 day per year of service up to a maximum of 25) + Christmas shutdown from 5pm on the last working day before Christmas to the first working day of the new year, plus birthday off and sick pay (10 days paid sick leave), both of which applicable after 1 completed year of employment.

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 Wills, Trusts & Probate incl. Powers of Attorney & Court of Protection, Family Law and Commercial & Residential Property.

Regardless of size and geography, we’ve proved that recognition for expert legal advice, client care and excellence in service delivery can be achieved with the right goals and ambition.

Our expertise is independently recognised, including:

• Ranked as a Band 3 legal practice in the Chambers & Partners UK legal guide
• Directors Victoria Poole and Nicola Deakin are both also ranked as Band 3 and Band 4 Lawyers respectively by Chambers & Partners UK (North West)
• Ranked as a Band 3 Leading Family Law Firm (North West) in The Legal 500 directory, with all Family Law lawyers ranked as Recommended Lawyers
• Susan Howarth ranked as a Leading Individual for 4 consecutive years by the Legal 500 before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023; Victoria Poole ranked as a Leading Partner in the Legal 500 2026
• Accredited by the Law Society for Wills & Inheritance Quality, Family Law, Children Law & Conveyancing Quality
• Lexcel-accredited for more than 13 years, for excellence in practice management
• Winning Best Family and Childcare Law firm 2022 and 2023 in the AI Legal Awards and in 2025 in the AI Leader Awards
• Finalists of the Lexis Nexis Family Law Firm of the Year (North) for 2 consecutive years

We run three FREE weekly Wills, Trusts, LPA & Probate clinics and offer free 30-minute appointments to all new Family Law clients.

We can offer clients in-house family mediation services and we have a specialist Resolution-trained Family Mediator who is also a Resolution-accredited Specialist in Domestic Violence and Children Law (private) and an FMC-accredited Family Mediator (all issues).

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

The role

The prime role of the legal secretary is to provide direct support to the Solicitors/Lawyer, enabling them to operate at optimum efficiency. This will include but will not be limited to the main responsibilities given below.

Key tasks

• Acting independently from the fee earner in the conduct of client matters
• In the absence of the fee earner handle procedures
• Preparing correspondence and documents through audio-typing and word processing.
• Administering filing which will include daily filing and the opening, closing, storage and retrieval of client files in accordance with the detailed procedures contained in the Office Manual.
• Preparing mail and enclosures for despatch.
• Arranging for all copying to be done, in person if the office junior is not available to undertake them
• Making appointments, arranging meetings and maintaining an up-to-date diary for his/her principal including maintenance of a brought forward file system.
• Completing relevant forms and statements in relation to client matters
• Inputting data in to the firm’s computer system as required.
• Assisting in updating precedents as instructed
• Attending to clients both in person and on the telephone and providing such support in a professional and friendly manner in keeping with the firm’s standards for client care
• Ensuring all messages, including faxes and e-mail, are delivered to the fee earner accurately and without delay
• Ensuring the confidentiality of all the firm’s and clients’ documentation and information
• Handling all monies belonging to clients within Law Society rules and guidelines
• Liaising with members of staff in other teams or external contacts as necessary
• Prioritising workload in consultation with the fee earners concerned

As a Legal Secretary you should preferably have prior experience as a legal assistant or legal secretary, ideally within a Private Client (Wills, Trust & Probate) department, however this is not essential.We are looking for confident, presentable candidate with a strong work ethic and a commitment to deliver a high-quality legal service to our valued clients.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
• Strong efficiency and organisational skills, with good control of diary systems and solid computer literacy
• A pragmatic approach to the workload
• Strong team player