JOB OVERVIEW

Reeds Solicitors has an exciting opportunity for a proactive Trainee solicitor to join our busy and highly regarded team based in Suffolk.
As a Trainee, you will assist solicitors and litigators in preparing cases ready for Mental Health Tribunals. The Trainee will work within our busy Mental Health Department and will receive outstanding training, setting them up to becoming a superb Solicitor on qualification.
Please note that the training contract is subject to successfully completing your 3-month probationary period, and we will apply for that time as part of your qualifying work experience.
If you would like to apply, please email us at recruitment@reeds.co.uk stating MENTAL HEALTH TRAINEE SOLICITOR APPLICATION in the subject line. We will send you an application form to complete. Working hours are 9am – 5pm with one hour for lunch and salary is £28,000 per annum. Remote/Hybrid working will be available once the initial training period has passed and the candidate is able to work independently.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Must have a legal qualification such as LPC, ILEX (either completed in part or full), or be qualifying via the SQE route.
• Good communicator in both written and spoken English.
• Good understanding of client care requirements.
• Must be IT literate and be willing to learn.
• Must be proactive in seeking to assist fee earners.
• Consistent attention to detail.
• Excellent time management and organisation skills.
• Good teamwork ethics.
• Must be able to work well under pressure.
• Be proactive and able to work well without supervision.
• Must have a full UK driving license.

It is essential for at least the first 6 months to be spent on the ground, either in the office or shadowing other members of the team, attending client appointments and also external local appointments, to assist with development and integration into the department. In addition, the main duties include but are not limited to:

• Ensure that the firm’s high client care standard is maintained by responding to client calls and enquiries proactively and appropriately.
• Take clients instructions, review evidence and prepare legal documents under supervision.
• Draft correspondence to clients and third parties under supervision.
• Prepare cases and files for court hearings.
• Effectively manage time ensuring tight deadlines are met.
• Undertake tasks to develop and increase fee earning.
• Assist Team with any work overflow.
• Opening new files on the internal case management system.
• Saving evidence as it is served to the relevant file on the case management system.
• Arranging meetings.
• Completing legal forms as instructed by fee earners.
• Completing legal aid forms and billing files as instructed by fee earners.
• Answering calls received through the telephone line and dealing with queries in a professional and confidential manner, ensuring all messages are passed on accurately to the relevant fee earner.
• Any other duties as requested by any member of the management team.