Paralegal

The role

We are looking to recruit a Paralegal on a full-time permanent basis.  

The role exists within the Casualty Litigation team in Birmingham which services a wide range of injury and related claims for composite insurers, Managing General Agents, Lloyds syndicates and direct corporate clients operating within non-conventional insurance programmes.  

The role responsibilities will predominantly be to support those “matter manager” fee earners within the team with specific tasks/series of tasks from the outset of the claim (including pre-litigation) all the way through to trial preparation and Court attendance as necessary.  

The primary function of the role involves working closely with all fee-earner team members and alongside our existing team Paralegal and Executive Assistants to successfully complete all tasks associated with the efficient progression of the claim in line with the agreed strategy for each specific matter. Day to day tasks will include:

• Taking all steps necessary at the outset of the instruction to come on record with the Court and other parties and protect the procedural position.  

• Applying for and maintaining current certificates setting out the relevant position on recoverable benefits.  

• Collating and preparing for Disclosure including liaison with the Client in the search for relevant documents and securing execution of the Disclosure Statement before exchange.  

• Coordinating access to and appointments with witnesses including experts.  

• Managing the procedural aspects associated with the completion of lay and expert witness evidence.  

• Coordinating access to and reviewing medical, employment, educational and other relevant records.  

• Producing detailed working chronologies.  

• Taking steps necessary to ensure court hearings and resultant timetables are properly recorded and subsequently complied with.  

• Ensuring arrangements are made with Chambers for appropriate representation at Court hearings where that work is being undertaken by external counsel.  

• Bundle preparation (using Bundle Docs and other proprietary software) to facilitate instructions to experts, counsel and mediators as well as for Court hearings.  

• Coordinating availability of witnesses and counsel for Trial and of clients and other participants attending in conference with Counsel.  

• Researching expert suitability, availability and cost whether utilising internally held data or engaging on an ad-hoc basis with specific potential witnesses. 

• Updating and maintaining real-time online client reporting tools. 

• Updating and maintaining team expert database.    

There will also be the opportunity to gain experience and assist in general Paralegal activities, such as: 

• Legal research 
• Drafting, e.g. court forms, application notices; pre-trial checklists/information sheets; using precedents on our in- house database; costs schedules; orders; and some short letters – all with supervision. 
• Court attendances to lodge applications 
• Assisting fee earners on case management and tasks. 
• Note taking at meetings – preparing attendance notes of Court attendances, conferences with Counsel and client meetings. 
• Liaison by telephone and in writing with third Parties and other parties in litigation. 
• Potential for developing small caseload of pre-action and litigated files including PADA.  

The person

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Experience supporting fee earners dealing with casualty injury litigation. 
• IT literate and confident with technology
• Strong administration skills
• Fast and accurate typing
• Excellent written English
• Numeracy
• Ability to work under pressure
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong team player
• Confidentiality and diplomacy
• Flexible in approach
• Excellent time management skills

Pre-employment screening

If we make you an offer for a role, we will conduct a range of pre-employment screening. This will include, but is not limited to, a basic DBS check, right to work check, address verification, any disciplinary history recorded with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and a self-declaration to assess your character and suitability for the role. Full details of our screening process are available on request.

The firm

Mills & Reeve is centred on achieving more for clients, their businesses and the wider communities we serve.

Our clients and their industries benefit from our knowledge and learning – on everything from wellbeing, diversity and inclusion to global trends. The wider community benefits from a focus on sustainability in client and business decisions.

Clients get a consistent experience with no surprises – we tell them what they need to know, when they need to know it. Our sector and market expertise helps us understand clients’ issues. And our technology and innovations help them achieve more with less effort.

We build personal relationships, with advice individually tailored to individual need. And if clients need things we don’t offer, we draw on our network to give recommendations.

Our 1,250 plus people and over 750 lawyers share one vision – achieving more for clients. 

By joining Mills & Reeve, you’ll have the chance to build your skills and experience within a firm that’s not only ranked in the top 50 UK law firms, but also one that truly values their people. Our mantra is “Achieve more. Together.”, which we feel embodies our purpose and is more than just a catchphrase!

We’ve been listed in the Best Companies to Work For list the last 20 years - the only law firm to have achieved this, and we hold Platinum Investors in People status, something which only 6% of 50,000 assessed organisations achieve. We’ve also been ranked in the top 10 of RollOnFriday’s Best Law Firms To Work At list for the past eight years, taking the top spot in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Don’t just take our word for it though. Have a read through our  People Perspectives to find out more about some of our team and their experiences at Mills & Reeve.

And finally

Everyone at Mills & Reeve brings a unique perspective and ideas to the team and we do everything we can to help each person to thrive. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment, are happy to consider flexible working arrangements, and want to achieve the right balance for both our people and the firm. We encourage everyone to ask if they feel they need any workplace adjustments, and will do our best to support with these.

Promoting equality and diversity across our firm is a key pillar of our strategy, and our five staff networks are an integral part of this. To find out more about our diversity and inclusion work, visit our webpage here.