Part time/Full time, hours to be discussed. Hybrid of working from home/ in office and at Court locations in Swindon, Winchester, Bristol and Salisbury.
Job Purpose:
To undertake matters which you are competent to conduct having due regard to the policies and procedures defined in the Quality Manual relating to your areas of work:
Job Description
Responsibilities:
- Arranging appointments and attending new, current and former clients and dealing with their queries including, but not limited to:
- Drafting and/or dictating correspondence to client, court, solicitors, counsel and other third-parties, including Statements, Notices, Applications, and other Legal Forms/Documents [for production/preparation by Secretary];
- Accepting Crown Court cases only where Legal Aid has been obtained by the Fee Earner representing the client in the Lower Courts. Advising Crown Court Listing Officers if LA has not been granted therefore the defendant will appear “In Person”
- Ensuring Legal Aid has been granted in all cases before incurring any costs or issuing any instructions to counsel.
- Identifying suitable counsel for each case, taking account of the gravity of the case and the nature of the client’s needs. Liaising with Counsels’ Clerks.
- Obtaining instructions and advising on course(s) of action, length of case (as appropriate);
- Attending clients at Courts and/or Detention centres, with or without counsel.
- In liaison with counsel identifying suitable experts that may need to be instructed for the defence.
- Obtaining Quotations from suitable experts identified.
- Obtaining Prior Authority via the LAA Portal in all circumstances where the cost is in excess of £99.00 BEFORE issuing instructions
- Instructing counsel, experts, solicitor advocates or other third-parties, reviewing reports in conjunction with Instructed Counsel and continued liaison as required.
- Closely monitoring the CJSM (Criminal Justice Secure Mail) inbox to identify items relating to clients and actioning as required.
- Monitoring the Crown Court Digital Case System (CCDS) for notifications that require action.
- Uploading, in consultation with Counsel any reports, applications or other documentation to the CCDS.
- Ensuring that all orders/directions from the court are complied with or seeking extensions/amendments as required.
- Arranging conferences with counsel or experts or both.
- Obtaining and reviewing evidence and statements.
- Negotiation on clients behalf and, liaison with opponents, judges, etc. to obtain most preferable outcome for clients;
- Ensuring efficient day-to-day progress of all matters, prioritising work as necessary and keeping the client informed on progress.
- Filing documents to client files.
- Compliance with the firm’s policies and procedures
- To ensure that all work carried out meets or exceeds the requirements of the LAA’s Standard Contract, the SRA Code of Conduct and meets Quality Mark standards
- To record all work carried out accurately and appropriately on the firm’s computerised time recording system to include all attendance notes, instructions, advice and attendance notes from counsel
Person Specification
Skills:
- Analytical skills
- Written and oral communication skills
- IT skills
- Legal Skills
Knowledge:
- Criminal Law
The above Job Description has been understood by the employee
| Name: | Signed: (Employee) | Date:__/__/__ |
| Name: | Signed: (Supervisor) | Date:__/__/__ |
