Contested Probate Solicitor

Job Title: Solicitor

Responsible to: Head of Department

Department: Contentious Probate

JOB PURPOSE

To provide high quality legal advice to the firm’s clients and meet a financial target.

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB

Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors with appropriate pre-qualification exam and other passes

Current practising certificate with no restrictions

3 years + PQE experience

Previous professional training and development requirements met

ORGANISATIONAL POSITION

Reporting to Mike Clary.. Supported by a legal secretary and the admin support team.

ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT

To provide legal advice and run cases relating to contentious and non-contentious legal work pertaining particularly to all aspects of Contentious and Litigation law including:-

(i) 1975 Act Claims – acting for both Claimant and Defendant

(ii) Probate actions concerning allegations of forgery, testamentary capacity and undue influence 

(iii) Conflicts regarding the validity and construction of trust documents

(iv) Allegations of fraud

(v)  Acting for Executors in a neutral capacity

(vi) Proprietary Estoppel / Constructive Trust claims

(vi) Drafting settlement agreements

This list is not exhaustive and is subject to review as and when required by the Partners.

KEY RESULT AREAS

Providing legal advice and working to the Law Society, Lexcel and Solicitors Regulation Authority standards.

Achieving a fee target as set out and agreed at the beginning of the financial year.

Working to the firm’s policies and procedures

Accurate time recording

Accurate and regular billing and ensuring recovery of those charges

Winning new clients, marketing and profile building

ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK

Legal files will be reviewed by the Head of Department on a monthly basis in line with the Law Society’s Lexcel Practice Management Standard

The firms requires you to deal with each transaction from, commencement of the transaction to completion with minimum supervision

You will be required to work on a number of matters at any one time an manage the client’s expectations

You must use the case management (Tikit) program to create and save all documents

You must close files and account to clients after the matter is concluded

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

Working to deadlines whilst assessing and minimising the risk to the firm

Meeting an agreed financial target

Working in an open plan office in a team environment and the ability to work from home

EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY

Operating a surface pro or desktop PC including a hand held dictation device.

SYSTEMS

Working on Microsoft Windows, Tikit, Outlook, Winscribe digital dictation, Oyez legal forms and the internet.

If you are interested in applying, please email your CV to Janet Gomes.