Job Description

Fast Track Liability Handler

Department: Legal

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Bolton

Are you ready to take your litigation skills to the next level? Join our team as a Fast Track Specialist File Handler and make an impact in a challenging, rewarding role.

As a Specialist Handler you will handle litigated delegated and non-delegated motor instructions on behalf of key insurer clients and the MIB.

It will be necessary for the candidate to be able to demonstrate an ability to impress the client with the extent of their legal knowledge and provide clear unambiguous advice on the strategy for bringing a claim to its resolution. A clear view on both relevant case law and appropriate evidence will be necessary.

The candidate will handle cases on behalf of the MIB and other Insurers. The successful candidate should therefore be able to recognise cases with a technical bias, e.g. whether the MIB is the correct party to pursue (having an understanding of the Uninsured Drivers and Untraced Drivers Agreement) or whether an Insurer is a contractual Insurer, RTA Insurer, or Article 75 Insurer, and what actions are required if the policyholder is a Claimant and there is a counterclaim be pursued. There will also be claims involving multiple parties.

Key Responsibilities

• Reviewing files, noting and abiding by Client Guidelines
• Knowledge of litigation, the CPR Rules and Court procedures
• Formulating initial and ongoing Strategy, efficiently and effectively, having in mind the appropriate fee structure.
• Draft reports confirming Strategy and agreeing the most suitable approach with the client.
• Draft legal documents and comply with Court orders/deadlines
• Throughout the lifetime of a case, being aware of the overall spend on a claim, whether fixed fee or hourly rate.
• Undertaking negotiations with Third Party Solicitors
• Liaising with Insured and Insurers and Brokers where necessary
• Ensuring ‘actions’ are carried out as per Action Lists in Case Management System
• Undertaking Court Hearings
• Ensuring relevant tasks are delegated to the paralegals
• Accurately recording time and management information
• Accurately processing bills in accordance with Client Guidelines
• Ensuring files are kept within ISO 9001 guidelines
• To ensure compliance with the SRA Standards & Regulations

Working Hours 35 hours per weekMonday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch.Primary location for this role is Bolton, Parklands Office.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Sound and practical experience of handling Fast Track RTA litigated files is essential, with evidence of managing own case load and reporting skills
• Have an understanding of indemnity and/or the MIB would be beneficial.
• Drafting of legal documents, including defences, applications, witness statements, Part 35 Questions, Part 18 Questions
• Liaising with and drafting instructions to Counsel
• Experience of managing fixed fees whilst delivering quality
• Good telephone negotiation skills
• Good IT skills including Word, Outlook, and experience of a Case Management System, and preference for working paperless

Have the ability to:

• Work as part of a Team
• Use own initiative
• Plan and prioritise workloads and effectively use delegation
• Remain calm under pressure
• Recognise when sensitivity and tact are required
• Identify key facts/issues and make early investigations and decisions to bring a case to a conclusion
• Follow work processes and keep to Strategy
• Ability to make decisions

Values Our culture is focussed on making Keoghs sustainable and successful for our people and clients, with this our four values are at the heart of everything we do;

Our ValuesWe are connected We are DynamicWe are Innovative We succeed together

Benefits

• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service(opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
• Family Cover Private Medical Insurance (Bupa) - will automatically be at single cover level but can opt into family option within first month of joining.
• Simply Health Care Cash Plan
• WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing
• Death in Service
• Critical Illness Cover
• PHI/Income Protection (Private health insurance)
• Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer
• Cycle to Work Scheme*
• Tech Scheme*
• Season Ticket Loan*
• Gym Flex*
• Access to Online Discount Sites
• Discounted Gourmet Society Membership
• Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide
• Discounts at local retail outlets

* after successfully completing probation