Private Client Solicitor or Legal Practitioner
The below job specification is for a senior practitioner and we would be still interested in more junior candidates from NQ level who are working towards some of these skills.
The firm's biggest need is for a Probate practitioner.
Aims
Client Services
To provide advice, management, drafting, execution, and registration services in the following areas:
- Wills.
- Lasting Powers of Attorney.
- Enduring and General Powers of Attorney.
- Court of Protection Deputyship Orders.
- Management of Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare where the Firm is appointed.
- Probate and Administration of Estates.
- Trusts.
- Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning.
Duties
To achieve the Aims by carrying out the following duties.
Client Services
- Meeting clients and taking instructions.
- Assessing client instructions and goals and considering whether they are achievable within the current legal framework and how to achieve them.
- Advice both written and verbal on legal and practical matters.
- Drafting legal documents.
- Liaising with clients, colleagues, solicitors, estate agents, HMRC, HMCTS, accountants, IFAs, social services, doctors etc.
- Keeping a compliant file for the matter whether physical or digital.
- Keeping deadlines and monitoring key dates.
- Assessing whether you are competent to advise on a matter and referring if appropriate.
- Managing client expectations.
- Costing: advising clients on costs and keeping any estimate updated.
Administrative
- Typing my own documents where it is expedient to do so.
- Dictating typing and other administrative tasks for an assistant where it is expedient to do so.
- Corresponding by phone, letter and email with clients and third parties to ensure the smooth running of my files.
- Ensuring that I follow processes and systems in place.
Compliance
- Ensuring all files are compliant with internal and external standards and regulations.
- Continuing professional development.
Financial
- Managing billing to ensure I meet the firm's expectations monthly.
- Time costing files to accurately bill the client.
- Drafting and finalising Estate accounts on probate matters according to STEP rules.
- Compliance with SRA Accounts Rules.