Paralegal - Team 6

Keoghs; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Keoghs in Belfast is seeking a Paralegal to work alongside experienced litigated file handlers and qualified Solicitors, assisting with progression of matters, including discovery, analysis of quantum evidence, and trial preparation.

The role suits graduates as well as experienced paralegals, with high emphasis on legal research, preparing bundles, statements, and liaising with counsel and third parties to support file progression.

Qualifications

• Law Degree required or equivalent.
• No previous experience is necessary.
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication.
• Ability to prioritise work, keep to deadlines and work under pressure.
• Ability to work to agreed targets and service level agreements.
• Excellent research skills.
• High level of analytical skills.
• Excellent IT skills.
• Behaviours - positive and professional attitude in line with Keoghs values.
• Communication – adapt style for mutual understanding with customers and colleagues.
• Planning & Organisation – structure and prioritise workload.
• Adaptability – adjust to different situations while maintaining quality.

Responsibilities

• Work within a insurance defence litigation area, assisting Qualified Solicitors with caseloads to pursue completion of files.
• Communicate with colleagues, clients and third parties in person, over the phone and in writing.
• Progressing discovery matters by drafting pleadings and reviewing discoverable material.
• Carrying out legal research and reviewing evolving case law and procedural nuances.
• Assisting with investigation matters by taking statements from witnesses.
• Assisting with trial preparation, compiling trial bundles and helping witnesses prepare to testify.
• Compiling analysis of quantum evidence including chronology and reserves calculations.
• Instructing Counsel and medico-legal experts with briefs and letters of instruction.
• Daily task list management, prioritisation and meeting deadlines.
• Maintaining SLA compliance and accurate reporting to clients.
• Working well within the team and modelling Keoghs values.

Skills

Legal research

Communication skills

Analytical skills

IT skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Teamwork

Planning & organisation

Education

Law Degree

Job description

Paralegal - Team 6

Department: Legal

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Belfast

Description

To work alongside experienced litigated file handlers and qualified Solicitors to assist with progression of matters,including discovery,analysis of quantum evidence,liaising with counsel and third party experts,trial preparation and legal research.
This role will suit not only experienced paralegals but also graduates seeking to gain vital legal experience with the aim of progressing their legal career including attending ILPS.
To achieve a financial target of 5 chargeable hours per day.

Key Responsibilities

• Work within an insurance defence litigation specialist area, assisting Qualified Solicitors with caseloads in order to pursue completion of files in line with client instruction to the commercial benefit of Keoghs.
• Communicate, build and utilize relationships with colleagues, clients and third parties in a professional and knowledgeable manner; including all methods of communication: in person, over the phone and written
• Progressing discovery matters by drafting the appropriate pleadings and thoroughly reviewing all discoverable material;
• Carrying out legal research, reviewing evolving case law and procedural nuances of certain claims;
• Assisting with investigation matters by taking both informal and formal statements from witnesses;
• Assisting with trial preparation with compiling trial bundles and helping both clients and witnesses prepare to testify at trial;
• Compiling an in-depth analysis of quantum evidence which includes preparing chronologies and identifying anomalies across various sources of evidence to include Hospital and GP notes but also medico-legal reports to assist the lead file handler with reserves calculations;
• Instructing Counsel and medico-legal experts by compiling briefs and letters of instruction;
• Daily task list management including prioritisation and managing deadlines;
• Work to and maintain Service Level Agreements;
• Work well within the team, act as a role model for Keoghs Values.
• To fully utilise the Case Management system for efficient supervision and progression of files, ensuring that all cases are properly managed and tracked, to ensure completeness of records and to ensure accurate reporting of information to our clients.

To adhere to Keoghs' financial hygiene practices through the financial Case Management system, ensuring that all financial aspects relating to cases are handled accurately.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Law Degree
• No previous experience is necessary
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication
• Ability to prioritise work, keep to deadlines and work under pressure
• Ability to work to agreed targets and service level agreements
• Excellent research skills
• High level of analytical skills
• Excellent IT skills
• Behaviours - displays a positive and professional attitude towards their work and colleagues in line with Keoghs Shared Behaviours
• Communication – ability to adapt communication style to ensure a mutual understanding is achieved both with customers and colleagues
• Planning & Organisation – ability to structure, manage and prioritise workload accordingly
• Adaptability – ability to adapt to different situations and tasks, whilst maintaining quality and service