Legal Administrator

Oculus Legal Group; Northampton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Oculus Legal Group in Northampton seeks a Legal Administrator to join the Risk Management team. The role focuses on client and matter onboarding, AML, CDD, sanctions and conflict checks, ensuring regulatory compliance and accurate data handling.

The successful candidate will work closely with fee earners and support staff, managing onboarding workflows, maintaining records and escalating issues as needed. Excellent organisational skills and confidentiality are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in a law firm or legal environment.
• Experience with AML, CDD, KYC, sanctions and conflict checking.
• Experience with client and matter onboarding and file opening processes.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and a strong focus on accuracy.
• Confident handling confidential client information and compliance documentation.

Responsibilities

• Process new client and new matter opening requests per NBU procedures.
• Review File Opening Forms (FOFs), MARAs and supporting docs for completeness and accuracy.
• Open new clients and matters within the firm’s systems.
• Update and maintain accurate client and matter records.
• Complete AML, CDD, sanctions and conflict searches.
• Identify and escalate potential AML, sanctions or conflict issues to the Team Leader or Risk Manager.
• Maintain accurate compliance records and supporting documentation.
• Save onboarding, compliance and verification documents per filing procedures.
• Complete and maintain Compliance Notes and associated records.
• Act as point of contact for onboarding and AML enquiries with fee earners and secretaries.
• Provide clear updates on onboarding progress and outstanding requirements.

Skills

Legal administration

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Team player

AML/CDD/KYC knowledge

Onboarding experience

Time management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We’re working with a well-established and highly regarded law firm who are looking to recruit a Legal Administrator to join their Risk Management team in Northampton.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with previous legal administration experience who has an interest in client onboarding, AML, CDD and compliance and is looking to develop their career within a specialist Risk Management function.

The Role

The New Business Unit (NBU) Administrator will provide centralised support to the firm's client and matter onboarding processes, ensuring file opening, AML, CDD, sanctions and conflict checking requirements are completed accurately and in line with firm procedures.

Working closely with fee earners, secretaries and wider support teams, you’ll play an important role in maintaining regulatory compliance, data accuracy and high service delivery standards.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Processing new client and new matter opening requests in accordance with NBU procedures
• Reviewing File Opening Forms (FOFs), MARAs and supporting documentation for completeness and accuracy
• Opening new clients and matters within the firm's systems
• Updating and maintaining accurate client and matter records
• Completing AML, CDD, sanctions and conflict searches
• Identifying and escalating potential AML, sanctions or conflict issues to the Team Leader or Risk Manager
• Maintaining accurate compliance records and supporting documentation
• Saving onboarding, compliance and verification documents in line with agreed filing procedures
• Completing and maintaining Compliance Notes and associated records
• Acting as a point of contact for fee earners, secretaries and other internal stakeholders regarding onboarding and AML enquiries
• Providing clear updates on onboarding progress and outstanding requirements

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Experienced within a law firm or legal environment, ideally in a Legal Administrator, Legal Assistant, Legal Secretary or similar role
• Experienced with or has a good understanding of AML, CDD, KYC, sanctions and conflict checking
• Familiar with client and matter onboarding and file opening processes
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and a strong focus on accuracy
• Confident handling confidential client information and compliance documentation
• Comfortable reviewing information and identifying potential issues that need to be escalated
• Able to manage a busy workload and prioritise competing requirements
• Confident communicating with fee earners, secretaries and other internal stakeholders
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and comfortable learning new systems
• A strong team player with excellent communication skills
• Proactive, reliable and able to work independently

What’s on Offer?

• Opportunity to join a leading and highly regarded law firm
• Dedicated role within the Risk Management and New Business Unit
• Exposure to AML, CDD, sanctions, conflicts and client onboarding
• Opportunity to develop your legal compliance and risk experience
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• Strong focus on employee development and progression

Why Apply?

This is a great opportunity for a Legal Administrator, Legal Secretary, Legal Assistant or legal support professional looking to move into a specialist New Business, Risk Management or Compliance role.

The position offers the opportunity to build on your existing legal experience while developing specialist knowledge across client onboarding, AML, CDD, sanctions and conflict checking within an established and highly regarded law firm.