Legal Assistant

KT & COE RECRUIT LTD; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A legal recruitment firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a proactive Legal Assistant to provide essential administrative support to a team of criminal law solicitors. This fast-paced role includes managing calls, emails, and appointments, as well as maintaining case files in a case management system. The ideal candidate will possess excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience in an office support role, ideally within a legal environment.

Qualifications

• Desirable: Previous experience in a legal or office support role.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Strong customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Answer incoming calls to the office professionally.
• Assist in the preparation and handling of post.
• Set up new case files on the case management system.
• Schedule appointments and manage the office diary.
• Monitor the firm’s central inbox and forward relevant emails.

Skills

Excellent organizational and time management skills

Strong communication skills

Ability to work independently

Attention to detail

Proficient in office management software

Education

Previous experience in a legal or office support role

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Tools

Case management systems (LEAP)

Job description

KT & Coe Recruit are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Legal Assistant to support our team of criminal law solicitors. This is a fast-paced role providing crucial administrative support, enabling our solicitors to focus on delivering excellent legal services.

Job Purpose

The primary responsibility of the Legal Assistant is to assist in the smooth running of the firm by providing a range of administrative and operational support to Fee Earners and other staff members within the general office function. This role will ensure that daily administrative processes are efficiently executed, enhancing productivity and communication within the office.

Key Responsibilities

Telephone and Visitor Management

• Answer incoming calls to the office in a professional and timely manner, directing calls to the appropriate fee earners or team members.
• Take accurate messages and ensure timely follow-up on important communications.
• Serve as the first point of contact for visitors to the office, providing a welcoming and professional atmosphere. Ensure visitors are logged in and directed appropriately.

Administrative Support

• Assist in the preparation and handling of post, including sorting, preparing, and dispatching outgoing mail.
• Undertake photocopying and scanning tasks for the fee earners as required.
• Take special deliveries (e.g., couriers) to the Post Office and ensure all dispatched items are appropriately documented.

Case Management System Support

• Set up new case files on the case management system (LEAP) for fee earners, ensuring all relevant documents are uploaded and categorized accurately.
• Enter time records for fee earners onto the LEAP system, ensuring accurate billing and record keeping.

Diary and Appointment Management

• Schedule appointments and meetings for fee earners, coordinating with clients, internal staff, and external parties to ensure smooth logistics.
• Manage the office diary, including entering important deadlines, meetings, and appointments, ensuring no scheduling conflicts arise.

Email and Correspondence Management

• Monitor the firm s central inbox and promptly forward relevant emails to the appropriate team member or fee earner.
• Ensure that all communications are handled swiftly and efficiently.

Court System Access Management

• Secure access for the firm s cases on court systems (CCDCS & Common Platform), granting access to the appropriate fee earner or team member.
• Ensure access is updated regularly, and any issues or discrepancies are addressed promptly.

General Office Support

• Assist with any other ad-hoc tasks as required to support the smooth functioning of the office, including ordering office supplies and maintaining office equipment.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with a professional and approachable demeanour.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when handling legal documents and sensitive information.
• Proficient in office management software and case management systems.
• Familiarity with court systems and the legal process is desirable but not essential.

Qualifications and Experience

• Previous experience in a legal or office support role is desirable.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and case management systems.
• Strong customer service skills, with a focus on professionalism and discretion when dealing with clients and external parties.