Court of Protection Legal Secretary

We are looking for part-time experienced Legal Secretary to join our Court of Protection team based at our Kingswood office. The role is three days a week, working Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This is a busy role providing essential all-round secretarial and administrative support to a professional and friendly team of fee earners.

The Court of Protection (CoP) team deals with mental capacity law and covers the whole range of work dealt with by the court. This includes applications for deputyship, administration of professional deputyships, statutory Wills and gifting, property and affairs deputyship advice, and advice and representation of deputies and attorneys subject to investigations/court applications.

It also includes advice and representation on welfare cases in the Court of Protection, including Deprivation of Liberty, residence, care and medical treatment decisions, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and legal advice under the department’s legal aid contract.

The team is small and headed by a Partner who is a member of the Law Society Mental Capacity Panel.

The role

The main responsibilities of the role include:

• Typing, using case management system and digital dictation to manage all current and archived matters including managing existing contacts and client data and creating new matters as required.
• Liaising with clients, financial institutions, the Probate Court, OPG and others.
• Organising face-to-face, telephone and remote meetings with clients or others; making travel arrangements when necessary.
• Sending reminders to clients regarding appointments.
• Adding to diaries dates and deadlines via Outlook and/or the case management system.
• Triaging new matters, both on the phone and in person.
• Taking telephone messages; scanning and filing post; attaching letters to envelopes with relevant enclosures and ensuring that post is checked and sent.
• Chasing up outstanding information on cases.
• Maintenance of file format and content in accordance with the Office Manual, photocopying and scanning documents as required.
• Meeting with clients to complete basic forms or obtain further information and instructions.
• Assisting with reception duties and any other general office administrative duties when required.
• Checking incoming post in absence of Fee Earners to see what is to be actioned.
• Ensuring that full notes are on files/ case management system, and the fee earner is notified by email of all work done on the files in their absence.
• Accounts procedures including preparing private client bills, requesting cheques, obtaining a Partners signature to cheques, requesting transfer of money between client and office accounts, obtaining the approval of Accounts of all claims on accounts prepared.
• Develop and manage a sophisticated tracking system for deputy matters, including billing and portal submission details.
• Introduce a follow-up process for our cost consultants to ensure submission deadlines are met, and deal with any related issues.
• Submit and follow-up on files, chasing progress where required.

About us

Barcan+Kirby is well known in the Bristol legal market both as a provider of excellent legal services for individuals and businesses, and as a progressive employer.

We are committed to developing and nurturing our people, and encouraging positive wellbeing and mental health is central to our culture. When we say we offer a work/life balance, we mean it.

We work hard to maintain a culture of kindness and friendliness, and welcome applications from individuals who fit with our values.

We like to think that we do things a bit differently from other law firms.

The ideal candidate

• Hold a GCSE (or equivalent), grade 4 or above in English and Maths.
• Proficient audio typist and familiar with digital dictation.
• Previous secretarial experience within the legal sector, or experience as a legal administrator for a law firm or corporate legal department.
• Experience of working in Wills, Trusts and Probate would be desirable, as would experience of working with bereaved and vulnerable clients.
• Some experience of using Practice Management systems would be advantageous.

Computer literacy, in particular Word, Excel and Microsoft, is essential.

Location and working hours

• Part-time: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (9am – 5.15pm).
• The role is based at our Kingswood office but with the option to apply for hybrid working upon successful completion of your probation.

Closing date for applications

Applications for this role close at 9am Monday 28^th April with interviews on Thursday 8^th May.

Belonging at Barcan+Kirby

We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive working environment. We want you to bring your true self to work and encourage applications from anyone who embodies our values, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, disability status, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodiversity or anything else that makes you, you.

If there is anything we can do to make things more comfortable for you as part of the application process, including making a reasonable adjustment, please let us know by emailing recruitment@barcankirby.co.uk.

How to apply

Ready to apply for this role? Send us your CV and cover letter using the form below. Got a question? Email our recruitment team.