Small Claims File Handler

Davies; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + extra

Private medical care

Wellbeing support services

Pension contributions

Cycle to work

Tech scheme

Season ticket loan

Gym discounts

Online discount sites

Gourmet society discounts

Merlin attractions discounts

Local retail discounts

Job summary

Keoghs seeks a Small Claims File Handler in Bolton to manage a portfolio of litigated small claims tracks under supervision. The role combines office-based and home-working days, with 1 day in the Bolton office and 4 days remote.

You will handle quantum and liability issues, negotiate settlements, and ensure compliance with deadlines. The position requires legal experience, strong written and verbal communication, and the ability to work in a process-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Established experience in law through further education or experience.
• File handling experience within a law practice or insurer.
• Good understanding of the highway code and basic road traffic act principles.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads.
• Efficient in a process driven environment.
• Drive to take development opportunities with a positive attitude.
• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to compose professional written communications.
• Ability to follow instruction with attention to detail.
• Ability to recognise when sensitivity and tact are required.
• Effectively work within a team.
• Basic knowledge of the Court Practice Rules.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of Small Claims Track cases, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Deliver agreed performance targets and quality standards.
• Analyse evidence to craft initial liability and quantum strategies.
• Conduct telephone discussions and negotiations for settlements and cost apportionment.
• Prepare witness statements and draft court documents; meet court deadlines.
• Instruct, brief and liaise with Counsel.
• Guide defendants through litigation and set expectations.
• Maintain case management, billing and management information systems accurately.
• Delegate tasks to team members where appropriate.
• Maintain client communications within service level guidelines.
• Ensure files comply with ISO 9001 guidelines and SRA standards.

Skills

Legal experience

Workload planning

Communication skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Court Practice Rules

Highway code knowledge

Litigation support

Client liaison

Education

Law-related experience

Job description

Small Claims File Handler

Department: Legal

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Bolton

Description

Are you looking to take your first steps into litigated file handling. If so we are looking for a Small Claims Handler to effectively manage a portfolio of litigated small claims track files under the supervision and guidance of a lead File Handler.

The role will involve handling both quantum and liability small claims cases efficiently and proactively whilst utilising effective telephone negotiation techniques to obtain the appropriate settlement.

Key Accountabilities

• Management of a caseload of Small Claims Track cases, including effective planning and organising of the workload to ensure Court deadlines are met.
• Delivery of agreed performance targets and quality standards
• Analysis of the available evidence to create an initial case strategy on liability and quantum.
• Undertake effective telephone discussions and negotiations with the client, Defendant, third party insurer and third party Solicitors to pursue the efficient and appropriate settlement of cases and apportionment of costs
• Proofing witnesses, assessing their evidence and drafting statements.
• Drafting of Court document and complying with all Court deadlines are met.
• Instructing, briefing and liaising with Counsel.
• Guiding the Defendant through the litigation process where required and setting expectations.
• Timely and accurate maintenance of all case management, billing and management information systems to ensure completeness of records and aid business decision making
• Delegation of tasks where available and appropriate to other members of the team
• Dealing with correspondence and telephone calls within strict service level agreements,
• Delegation of tasks where appropriate to other members of the team
• Updating reports upon receipt of evidence as required.
• Adhering to Client Guidelines
• that they receive up to date and accurate information about progress when requested
• Ensuring files are kept within ISO 9001 guidelines
• To ensure compliance with the SRA Standards & Regulations

Working Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch.

Primary location for this role is The Parklands, Bolton office. This role is a hybrid role working 1 day in the office and 4 days from home.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

• Established experience in law through further education or experience
• File handling experience within a law practice or Insurer
• Good understanding of the high way code and basic road traffic act principles
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads
• Efficient in a process driven environment
• Drive to achieve to take development opportunities when they arise with a positive attitude
• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to compose professional written communications
• Ability to follow instruction with attention to detail
• Ability to recognise when sensitivity and tact are required
• Effectively work within a team
• Basic knowledge of the Court Practice Rules

Values

Our culture is focussed on making Keoghs sustainable and successful for our people and clients, with this our four values are at the heart of everything we do;

Our Values

• We are connected
• We are Dynamic
• We are Innovative
• We succeed together

Benefits

• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
• Simply Health Care Cash Plan
• WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing
• Death In Service – after 1 years’ service
• Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer
• Cycle to Work Scheme*
• Tech Scheme*
• Season Ticket Loan*
• Gym Flex*
• Access to Online Discount Sites
• Discounted Gourmet Society Membership
• Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide
• Discounts at local retail outlets

*after successfully completing probation