Legal Secretary / PA

Brook Street (UK) Ltd are recruiting a Legal Secretary/ PA for our leading Public Sector Client,
Education Authority Northern Ireland, located in their Commercial Property Dept. Dundonald.

Job Purpose

To act as Personal Assistant to a Solicitor within EA Solicitors
To assist with commercial property matters and the investigation and defense of informal and formal complaints / legal proceedings against the Education Authority ("EA") and/or controlled schools.
To undertake such other duties relevant to the Education Authority Solicitors ("EA Solicitors") as may be reasonably required from time to time.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To act as Personal Assistant to the Solicitor

To provide P.A. support to the Solicitor, always ensure strictest confidentiality and diplomacy , make and take calls on behalf of the Solicitor, and maintain a personal and office diary, ensuring compatibility.
Check and prioritise mail.
Co-ordinate and administer work of Solicitor in their absence, with regard to conveyancing/ property matters, employment law cases, litigation, tribunals (including SENDIST), judicial reviews and on-going legal matters.
Ensure the timely provision of advice and information to internal and external clients, regarding meeting strict deadlines.
To draft and prepare routine correspondence and reports, collate information and prepare and update statistical information.
Arrange meetings, consultations, Tribunal hearings, Court appearances and talks/conferences. Arrange alternative cover in Solicitor's absence.
2. Commercial Property.

To assist the EA Solicitors in preparing Title Reports and Title Packs and by applying for Property Certificates and Property Searches to establish ownership.
To assist the EA Solicitors in the preparation of: Contracts for Sale, Conveyancing Documents, Completion of Pre-Contract Enquiries.
To assist the EA Solicitors in ensuring documentation is presented for Stamping and Registration within prescribed legal times.
To accurately Schedule and return/ receipt Title Documents to and from the EA Headquarters and to third party solicitors.
3. Investigation and Defence of Formal and Informal Complaints / Legal Proceedings against EA /Schools

To assist the Solicitor or any other solicitor within EA Solicitors in the investigation and defence of formal and informal complaints/proceedings referred from EA Directorates /Schools.
To adhere to strict deadlines to ensure statutory time limits are met.
To assist in the process of appeals against Tribunal / Court decisions
To assist in the collation and indexing of discoverable documentation, Court / Tribunal bundles etc.
Assist with the drafting and response of Notices of Appearances, Notices for Additional Information, Notices for Discovery etc.
To maintain effective communication and co-operations with relevant persons including EA Officers, Boards of Governors, Counsel, Witnesses and outside Agencies to ensure quality service delivered.
To assist with preparation and collation of Counsel's papers and arrange for delivery of same.
To prepare documentation for hearings and apply for Witness Summons.
To attend consultations and hearings (as required) in order to provide verbatim report on proceedings.
To administer payment of Counsel's fees.
4. Judicial Reviews

To assist the Solicitor or any other EA Solicitor by liaising with Transfer Officers, Tribunal members and Counsel to arrange for compilation and forwarding of relevant information.
To arrange consultations and prepare necessary documentation.
Prepare Affidavits as drafted by Counsel and arrange for swearing of same by Tribunal member and external Solicitors.
Requisitioning of cheques in accordance with appropriate fees, lodge official documentation at Court and return all original documentation to EA Regions.

You should have:
A minimum of five GCSE's (Grades A*-C) including English and Maths or equivalent or higher examinations qualifications.

AND

Have either a minimum of two year's experience in a paid capacity providing administrative support which must include the following:

Using Microsoft Word (to process letters, memos, reports etc.);
Using Microsoft Outlook (to send/receive e-mails)
Drafting correspondence
Diary Management; and
Maintaining Records.

In addition to the above, you must also be able to demonstrate at an interview the under-noted knowledge, skills and personal qualities:

Knowledge of Legal work
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Proven ability to successfully plan, prioritise and manage the work of yourself and others within required timescales
Proven ability to demonstrate initiative, work flexibly and resolve complex matters with minimal direction and supervision.
Proven ability to develop and maintain good working relationships at a range of levels including senior management level.
Proven ability to exercise discretion in dealing with confidential or sensitive matters.

In return, you will benefit from:

Full training and induction
Pension Scheme
Competitive rates of pay
Brook Street (UK) Ltd back-office support and mentoring

Brook Street are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all candidates who are veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel, and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy.

As a Disability Confident Leader, and holder of the Gold Award status from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, Brook Street, as a supplier to the Public Sector Resourcing Framework (PSR), will offer you a guaranteed interview with a PSR Sourcer.

Should you identify as a candidate with a disability and/or as a veteran or spouse/partner of military personnel and meet all the essential criteria for the role, we encourage you to reach out to us via the Brook Street website. Here you will find a link to register your interest and state the role that you are interested in. We are committed to engaging with you.

In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses/partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, Brook Street will interview the best candidates from within that group.

The rate of pay is £12.94 per hour, the hours of work are 36hrs Monday to Friday.
If you would like to apply for this role, please email your CV via the `Apply` link