Defence Legal Advisor

Job Purpose:

The successful applicant will be required to have relevant experience in handling Defence claims with particular expertise and industry knowledge in the field of injury claims.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

File Handling

• Deal with all aspects of defending litigated and non–litigated claims
• Have excellent and in depth knowledge of litigation
• Have an understanding of the insurer clients reserving philosophy ensuring all reserves are accurate and up to date
• Have a good working knowledge of the CPR and/or and other relevant case law and/or legislation and progressing defences in a timely manner in accordance with the CPR
• Have an understanding and be able to advise on matters of RTA liability, quantum and causation
• Have a good working knowledge and where appropriate advise on/progress claims involving technical arguments such as indemnity/RTA/Article 75 Insurer issues, resiling from admissions, and pursuing non-parties to litigation
• Instruct Counsel, to attend conferences, hearings and CMC’s etc.
• Undertake telephone advocacy when appropriate e.g. allocation hearings and CMCs
• Take a pragmatic commercial approach to settlements and advising clients as to litigation/cost risks
• Ensure any appropriate instructions are obtained from any relevant insurer clients
• Ensure any appropriate instructions are obtained from any relevant lay clients
• Prioritise urgent schedule entries and dealing with remainder of daily tasks on To Do list

Client and Referrer care

• Ensure clients are kept informed and up to date on a regular basis throughout the life of the claim.
• Build a rapport by speaking/meeting with clients when possible to ensure a consistency of service and to ensure insurer’s loyalty to the Firm
• Check the authenticity and validity of claims by speaking with clients regularly on potentially complex files
• Build a relationship with clients (lay and insurer) to minimise the possibility of complaints and to enhance the reputation of the Firm and the service it provides
• Ensure that any relevant insurer is kept updated and fully informed as to the progress of any claims to reduce any potential exposure/liability and to increase indemnity savings
• Maintain pro-active communication with clients to ensure all heads of claim are discussed with the client at the outset and throughout the claim
• Obtain all relevant documentation from clients at the outset
• Discuss liability and/or quantum offers with the relevant parties, making use of the telephone rather than letter/email whenever possible
• Prioritise incoming daily post/emails and dealing with anything needing urgent attention while the remainder of the post is dealt with expeditiously and in order of importance and productivity
• Assist new or less experienced members of the team with any issues in terms of clients, referrers, external agencies and procedure etc.
• Liaise with Team Leader and/or Head of Department to take more contentious files and deal with them under supervision to expand knowledge and experience

Experience & Knowledge:

• A Solicitor, ILEX qualified or file handler of at least 3 years’ experience in Defence Litigation
• A proven track record of running a successful small/ fast and/or multi track Defence caseload
• Excellent client care and analytical skills, to include providing written and oral advice in a clear concise manner
• The ability to liaise and build up a rapport by using effective communication with all external agencies during the life of a claim
• Good IT skills with a sound working knowledge of Visual Files or a similar case management system and essential MS Office knowledge
• Excellent time management and organisational skills, with a calm and methodical approach to work, and a flexible and adaptable attitude to resolving issues