Paralegals support other legal professionals, so you will be carrying out certain legal tasks and services, such as undertaking legal research, preparing legal documents, and giving some legal advice.
You will provide members of the Private Client department with support and assistance as necessary. You will provide legal advice, assistance and representation to clients primarily in all areas of Private Client work including Probate, Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Declarations of Trust, Charities, and Court of Protection work, subject to appropriate training.
Specific Tasks
Answer the telephone/take messages and make telephone calls, record matters discussed accurately in writing and deal with follow up action or ensure the relevant fee earner follows up
Deal with/help/ interview clients and other people calling at the office, always recording the contact and follow up action (if any) that is required in writing and ensuring that the appropriate person deals with the follow up action
Monitor correspondence and communication (in all mediums) to ensure that appropriate action is taken on a timely basis by the appropriate person
Carry out legal research as requested by the fee earners
Prepare client care documents
Assist with Will preparation
Supervise execution of Wills
Register and draft LPAs and EPAs
Deal with straightforward estates, including preparing and submitting online applications for grants of probate and letters of administration
Prepare paper applications for probate/letters of administration in cases where it is not possible to submit the application online
Prepare IHT forms
Deal with collecting in assets and settling liabilities in probate matters
Prepare estate accounts and deal with distributions of the estate
Prepare and submit online applications to HMRC’s Trusts Registration Service for the registration of trusts and complex estates
Download office copy entries from the Land Registry’s business portal
Prepare Land Registry applications and check progress of submitted applications for the fee earner
Prepare and submit online applications to the Charity Commission for charity registration, using information supplied by the fee earner, and check progress of submitted applications
Assist in the preparation of Court of Protection applications (e.g. applications for deputyship)
Progress cases as requested and directed by the fee earner
Arrange appointments (with clients and others)
Manage, update and review fee earner calendars/diaries and key dates diary and remind self and fee earners of important deadlines
Administer client matters using a case management system
Regular contact with clients by telephone, email and general correspondence
Keep up to date with developments in the law and tax regulations
General filing – paper and electronic
Copy and scan documents and correspondence
Other tasks as required
Skills and Behaviours
An ability to analyse and prioritise workloads
Must be able to work independently and use initiative to complete tasks.
Efficient administration/office skills
Good people communication skills and demeanour – empathetic and persuasive
Efficient time management skills
A high standard of written English, grammar and spelling
A keen eye for detail and a detail-orientated person
A good memory for detail
A general willingness to help, an enjoyment of supporting others
A cheerful and positive disposition
Patient and with a good sense of humour
Telephone skills