Family Lawyer – Gloucester Road
Barcan+Kirby’s award-winning Family department is large and well-established with a permanent presence in four of the firm’s five offices. As part of our ongoing plans for growth, we are looking for an Associate or Senior Associate lawyer to join the Gloucester Road team.
The role will cover a wide range of family matters but predominantly mid-high value financial claims.
The role
Fee earning work:
- Conduct of matters on behalf of clients.
- Progressing matters in a pro-active, professional and efficient manner with the aim of concluding cases efficiently whilst achieving good outcomes for clients.
- Complying with the firm’s office manual and the department’s financial management protocol.
- Advising clients of funding options and ensuring that there is appropriate funding in place in respect of all live client matters.
- Maintaining an adequate and up-to-date knowledge of the law and practice.
- Notification to partner as to any complaints received in respect of work undertaken, or service delivery and assistance in resolving any such complaint.
- Exercising high standards of client care in a professional and pleasant manner at all times.
- Ensuring the confidentiality and security of all of the firm’s and clients’ documentation and information.
- Complying with the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules and the Rules on the Professional Conduct of Solicitors.
- Ensuring good working relationships with external institutions, third parties and organisations.
- Identifying public funding matters and complying with Legal Aid Regulations and the firm’s office manual so far as it relates to publicly funded matters.
Accounts procedures:
- Assisting in the preparation of bills of costs and claims for costs, including to the Legal Aid Agency.
- Using CCMS for all relevant actions and applications on any relevant legally aided matter.
- Obtaining the approval of accounts for all bills/claims prepared.
- Obtaining payments on account from clients and/or the Legal Aid Agency.
- Obtaining a Partner’s signature to cheques, transfers and other accounts procedures.
- Notifying Accounts of incoming telegraphic transfers, making requests for telegraphic transfers by telephone, notifying accounts of telegraphic transfers requested by phone, preparing written request for telegraphic transfer for Accounts.
- Requesting transfer of money between client and office accounts.
- Referring amendments to cheques and bills to Partners for approval and dealing with the formalities for such amendment.
- Monthly file reviews and taking the required action including ensuring that all client money is placed on deposit where required.
- Providing the Costs Draftsmen with all information required for an accurate bill to be prepared in any relevant legally aided matter.
- Sending copies of public funding certificates received to Accounts and at all times ensuring that Accounts are aware that a matter is publicly funded.
- Complying with the firm’s Financial Management Protocol.
Such additional tasks as required. You will also be encouraged to get involved with marketing and business development activities on behalf of the department.
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, and we were advocates for flexible working long before the Covid-19 pandemic.
We work hard to maintain a culture of kindness and friendliness, and we like to think that we do things a bit differently from other law firms.
The ideal candidate
The ideal candidate will be an experienced family lawyer (four years’ + PQE or FCILEx) who specialises in mid-high value financial matters and has knowledge of all aspects of family law.
It is desirable that you will be a Resolution Accredited Specialist or member of the Family Law or Children panel. IT literate and confident using and adapting to new systems and processes. Enthusiastic about business development and networking with knowledge and experience of using social media.
Location and working hours
- Full-time (office hours are 9am – 5.15pm, Monday to Friday).
- The role is based at our Gloucester Road office in Bishopston, but with the option to apply for hybrid working on passing probation or earlier if by agreement.
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.