Personal Injury Solicitor / CILEX - any of our East Anglian offices

We are looking for a Personal Injury Lawyer to join our team at Ashtons Legal. 

You will work closely with our clients providing them with support on their cases and we would like you to have experience of dealing with “Multi-Track” personal injury cases. However, if your experience of Multi-Track work is limited, we would still be happy to discuss the role with you.

Your work will consist of a mixed caseload of predominately Multi-Track RTA, EL and PL cases and you will be responsible for progressing these files from inception through to their conclusion (be that by way of negotiation or at trial). This will include providing updates to clients and where appropriate, liaising with witnesses, the police, insurers, HSE, solicitors, Case Managers, rehab providers, etc. It will involve gathering and analysing evidence / expert opinions and advising on liability, quantum and causation, as well as other aspects associated with PI claims. You will need to be client focussed and expected to “go the extra mile” to ensure that the best result (for the right reasons) is obtained. Access to early rehabilitation and support for our injured clients is at the heart of the service that we provide, so early engagement in (and familiarity with) the principles and benefits of rehabilitation is a crucial aspect of the role.

Whilst not an exhaustive list, your responsibilities are likely to include:

Client responsibilities

• Meeting clients, taking instructions and discussing funding arrangements (eg CFA)
• Liaising with clients in respect of all facets of their case (eg quantum, liability, causation) and advising (from inception through to settlement)
• Meeting witnesses and preparing statements
• Being familiar (and keeping up to date) with PI practice, procedure and law
• Drafting Schedules of Loss and other pleadings / legal documents
• Instructing and liaising with experts and Counsel
• Taking instructions and advising clients on all aspects of their case (both pre- and post-litigation)
• Considering and advising upon evidence from different sources
• Liaising with the Ashtons in-house rehab team and any external providers
• Dealing with the legal cost process
• Undertaking regular travel to attend meetings with clients and other parties, sometimes at short notice

File Management

Due to the nature of our work, it is fundamental that all files and records relating to client matters and files are kept up to date.

Therefore, you can expect to work closely with the rest of the team to:

• liaise with clients and other parties for key information for file matters
• ensure files are compliant with the team’s audit and risk requirements (including all aspects of client care, due diligence etc)
• co-ordinate activities with your team and Legal PAs / support services, as appropriate, to ensure smooth running of client files
• prepare files for costing

Knowledge, skills and experience required

We would like you to be:

• a qualified solicitor or a Chartered Legal Executive (FILEx) lawyer with a minimum of four years’ post-qualification experience. FILEx candidates must be authorised to carry out reserved legal activities
• proactive and able to work independently as well as part of a team
• have good planning and organisational skills
• have good communication skills and be IT literate (although specific training will be given on our systems)
• have the ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines
• have the ability to deal professionally, efficiently and effectively with bereaved / injured clients and all personnel at Ashtons Legal
• knowledgeable on relevant areas of law, practice and procedure
• demonstrate a strong internal and external client focus and responsibility
• detail focussed
• able to use a case management system and show willingness and ability to learn
• willing to attend local and national BD events and conferences
• have a flexible approach to fulfilling client requirements in line with the “business needs” / strategy
• have a driving licence and access to a car to ensure you are able to attend client homes or hospital at short notice