Paralegal - Property Coverage & Liability (Complex)

DAC Beachcroft LLP; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Income protection

Gym membership discount

Professional funding

Job summary

DAC Beachcroft LLP in Birmingham is seeking a Property Insurance lawyer to join our dedicated team. You will work on property damage claims, policy coverage disputes, and subrogated recovery matters, developing your knowledge of litigation tactics and CPR.

The role is based in our Birmingham office with probation requiring five days in the office. You will handle your own caseload, assist other lawyers, and ensure case management updates, while adopting a commercial approach to claims settlement

Qualifications

• Preferably (but not essential) have previous relevant legal experience.
• Knowledge of the litigation process is desirable (but again not essential as training will be provided) – either through experience, the LPC/SQE or CILEx.
• Be interested in and have a good working knowledge of general contract and tortious principles.
• Be interested in and willing to learn insurance-based property damage law.

Responsibilities

• Developing your knowledge of all aspects of property-related insurance claims, including policy coverage disputes, public and product liability claims, complaints, and subrogated recovery claims and liability matters.
• Developing your knowledge of litigation tactics and a sound working knowledge of the CPR.
• Opportunity to handle your own caseload including a variety of litigated and pre-litigated files.
• Carrying out preliminary investigations and evidence gathering, ensuring technical and expert evidence obtained by insurers and their agents is sufficient to prove causation; obtaining witness statements; and contacting relevant parties to obtain documentation.
• Ensuring that the case management system is updated with developments and diary dates as required by the case.
• Assuming responsibility for client protocol compliance both on own files and where working on task-based assignments.
• Handling confidential information in line with the firm's data security protocols
• Meeting and exceeding internal targets for time recording and billing.

Job description

Department: CSG - Property (Insurance / Damage / Recoveries / Subsidence)

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Birmingham

Description

Our Property Insurance team provides advice and claims’ management services to the insurance industry across all UK jurisdictions and is located in Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast. We have one permanent position available in the team, this role will be situated in Birmingham where you will be asked to come into the office 5 times a week during your probation.

We provide expert and practical advice covering a range of areas, including:

• Property Damage claims, including both pursuing and defending subrogated liability actions.
• Providing advice to insurance companies on policy coverage disputes.
• Business interruption claims.
• Investigating complaints arising under property insurance policies.

This expert team has been carrying out both First Party and Third Party Property Damage work for over 30 years, handling all types of claims, from small claims to large and complex liability claims with coverage issues.

With experience in a wide range of sectors including construction, commercial product failure, household, and agriculture, on behalf of insurers and their policyholders.

What you will do?

• Developing your knowledge of all aspects of property-related insurance claims, including policy coverage disputes, public and product liability claims, complaints, and subrogated recovery claims and liability matters.
• Developing your knowledge of litigation tactics and a sound working knowledge of the CPR.
• Opportunity to handle your own caseload including a variety of litigated and pre-litigated files.
• Task-based discrete activities assisting on claims for other lawyers in the team, including carrying out preliminary investigations and evidence gathering, ensuring technical and expert evidence obtained by insurers and their agents is sufficient to prove causation; obtaining witness statements; and contacting relevant parties to obtain contractual and other relevant documentation.
• Ensuring that the case management system is updated with developments and diary dates as required by the case.
• Assuming responsibility for client protocol compliance both on own files and where working on task-based assignments.
• Handling confidential information in line with the firm's data security protocols
• Meeting and exceeding internal targets for time recording and billing.

Who you are

• Preferably (but not essential) have previous relevant legal experience.
• Internally, we are happy to support applications from apprentices who are keen to gain experience in another area of law
• Knowledge of the litigation process is desirable (but again not essential as training will be provided) – either through experience, the LPC/SQE or CILEx.
• Be interested in and have a good working knowledge of general contract and tortious principles.
• Be interested in and willing to learn insurance-based property damage law.
• Be interested in and willing to learn the technical aspects of construction and property claims investigations as required for the role.
• Have an ability to adopt a commercial perspective rather than an ‘academic’ approach to claims settlement.
• Demonstrates alignment with the Firm’s Cultural Principles (Clear, Creative, Determined and Supportive).

What's in it for you?

• High levels of flexibility and a great work life balance - https://www.dacbeachcroft.com/en/Work-with-us/Whats-in-it-for-you
• A well-rounded remuneration package (which includes private medical insurance, income protection insurance and discounted gym membership, amongst many other benefits)
• Opportunities for growth and progression including professional funding
• In person and remote social events
• Opportunity to get involved in a range of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, which aligns closely to our cultural principles (Determined, Clear, Creative and Supportive). If you are excited about this role and being part of our culture, but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!