Personal Injury Solicitor - PI Department - Nottingham Bhatia Best are a leading firm based in the East Midlands who specialise in Criminal Defence, Family Law, Personal Injury, Public Law and Community Care. We are recruiting a personal injury solicitor with experience of dealing with litigated, multitrack road traffic accidents, employers’ liability, public liability and occupiers liability claims. Our Personal Injury department also specialises in claiming compensation for those who have suffered injuries as a result of accidents, clinical negligence, criminal assaults and historic abuse. If you believe in and can deliver an exceptional quality service and share our ethos and commitment to clients, this role based at our Nottingham office may be ideal for you. Candidate You will:

• Have experience of dealing with claimant personal injury matters which are litigated with ideally 3 year + PQE.
• Have a good academic background and have sound procedural knowledge of how to conduct civil court actions, especially using the Damages Portal for online issuing of claims.
• Possess exceptional client care skills.
• Have knowledge of IT systems and processes
• Be a team player, with an individual touch.
• Have a desire to personally develop and progress within the firm

Key responsibilities You will:

• Look after your own case load and assist on other complex and interesting matters.
• Be willing to conduct more substantial matters from inception.
• Integrate and be part of a small, friendly team undertaking varied, interesting and substantial cases.

This is a full time, office-based position.  Office hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m to 5.30 p.m with 1 hour for lunch. Please include your salary expectations within your application.  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  Previous applicants need not apply. We invite candidates to inform us in advance about any reasonable adjustments that they may require to take part in the selection procedure and interviews

Legal Administrator - Public Law & Community Care Judicial Review Department -Nottingham Bhatia Best are a leading firm based in the East Midlands who specialise in Criminal Defence, Family Law, Personal Injury, Public Law and Community Care. We have an exciting opportunity for a Legal Administrator to join our busy Public Law and Community Care (Human rights) department at our Nottingham office. This position would suit a candidate with good administrative and secretarial skills and accounting background. Previous experience in a legal environment is preferred but not essential, and additional training will be offered. Excellent organisation skills and an ability to deal with voluminous work is essential.   Duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Assisting with file opening / closing in accordance with office procedures
2. Reviewing client files to ensure compliance, particularly with regard to Legal Aid forms and Legal Aid funding eligibility criteria
3. Chasing outstanding documents by preparing standard letters / emails
4. Liaising with fee earners and secretaries
5. Filing original documents on client files
6. Assisting with processing invoices in accordance with office procedures
7. Assisting with processing submissions to the Legal Aid Agency, including amendments
8. Spreadsheet data entry
9. Secretarial support as required

  This is a full time, office-based position.  Office hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m to 5.30 p.m with 1 hour for lunch. Please include your salary expectations within your application.  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  Previous applicants need not apply. We invite candidates to inform us in advance about any reasonable adjustments that they may require to take part in the selection procedure and interviews  

Paralegal - Family Department -Nottingham Bhatia Best are a leading firm based in the East Midlands who specialise in Criminal Defence, Family Law, Personal Injury, Public Law and Community Care. This is an opportunity for experienced paralegals to join our busy family team based in Nottingham City Centre. This role is open to law graduates who are working towards or have successfully completed their LPC or SQE. The role is focused upon Private Family Litigation – Divorce, Financial Settlement, Matrimonial Property. The successful candidate will be working directly with the Partner in charge of that Team and have direct contact with clients in the taking of instructions, preparation of bundles, drafting documents, instruction of Counsel and where necessary attendance at Court. The role will also include essential file management responsibilities such as time recording, arranging appointments and bill preparation. Job description

1. Advise and represent clients
2. Interaction on a daily basis with clients and professionals, either on the telephone, video conferencing or in person .
3. Support case workers working on progression and management of case files
4. Undertake fee earning responsibilities to support case workers – undertake legal research, drafting of proformas and court documents as necessary
5. Comply with SQM (Specialist Quality Mark) and all internal transaction criteria and procedures
6. Maintain efficiency and profitability of the department
7. Maintaining case files via our computerised case management system
8. Assist and participate with training initiatives taken by the firm
9. Act as “next friend” and promote training initiatives of new recruits and promoted staff
10. Comply with the firm’s Office Manual
11. Maintain client confidentiality and legal professional privilege
12. Actively promote office relations with clients, their families and potential new clients (public relations)

  Personal specification.

1. Good oral and written communication skills.
2. Confident demeanour.
3. Ability to record meticulously.
4. Strong analytical skills and ability to apply law to fact
5. Competent negotiation skills (both written and oral)
6. Proficiency using Microsoft Word 365 (Outlook, Word and Excel) and Windows 10

  Knowledge A family law background in divorce/finances is preferred.   This is a full time, office-based position. Office hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m to 5.30 p.m with 1 hour for lunch. Please include your salary expectations within your application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Previous applicants need not apply. We invite candidates to inform us in advance about any reasonable adjustments that they may require to take part in the selection procedure and interviews

Law Costs Draftsperson - Nottingham We are currently recruiting for an experienced Law Costs Draftsperson to work in our Public Law & Community Care Judicial Review Department. The successful candidate would be based at our Nottingham Office and would support our Public Law & Community Care Judicial Review Department. Nottingham office – Public Law & Community Care Judicial Review Department Full time – Monday – Friday, 9am – 5.30pm (office based) Salary – Above market rate – subject to experience Job Specification:

1. Costing and billing of legal aid files to include Legal Helps, Payments on Account, Final Legal Aid Claims.
2. Costing and dealing with Inter-Partes costs claims (including risk assessing, drafting replies to points of dispute and negotiating settlement with the paying party)
3. Lodging bills at Court for assessment.
4. Preparing Schedules of Costs
5. Fully conversant with CCMS and legal aid systems. Uploading documents onto CCMS in a timely manner as per LAA requests.
6. Preparing, negotiating and agreeing High Cost Case Plans
7. All aspects of cost recovery, including legal aid appeals.
8. Dealing with any rejected claims.
9. Awareness of and aptitude to meet Legal Aid KPI’s
10. Ensuring compliance with Legal Aid rules and internal office policy
11. Liaising with Counsel’s Chambers in order to obtain fee notes for billing purposes.
12. Liaising with fee earners and addressing any concerns which may be identified whilst preparing a bill
13. Undertaking other clerical and administrative duties as may be reasonably required from time to time.

Personal Specification:

1. A Costs Lawyer Professional Qualification or equivalent qualification.
2. Experience of drafting both Inter Partes and Legal Aid bills.
3. Competent cost drafting skills.
4. Competent negotiating skills.
5. Good oral and written communication skills.
6. High level of numeracy and accuracy when dealing with figures.
7. Ability to work under pressure and process a high volume of claims accurately.
8. Ability to work in a team environment and autonomously, proactively managing your own caseload.
9. Experience of using Case Management Systems.

Knowledge:

1. Knowledge and understanding of Legal Aid Agency rules relating to assessment and recovery of solicitor’s costs in publicly funded files.
2. An understanding of the rules governing Inter Partes bill preparation.
3. Court rules for lodging bills.
4. Court costs assessment procedures.
5. Basic Accounting Principles.
6. Experience of costing Judicial Review files (preferred)

We invite candidates to inform us in advance about any reasonable adjustments that they may require to take part in the selection procedure and interviews

Personal Injury Solicitor - Nottingham We are recruiting a personal injury solicitor or equivalent with experience of dealing with litigated, mostly multitrack employers’ liability, public liability and occupiers liability claims. Our Personal Injury department also specialises in claiming compensation for those who have suffered injuries as a result of serious road accidents, clinical negligence, criminal assaults and historic abuse. We have varied clinical negligence cases including contaminated blood, abdominal mesh matters and vaccine damage. These are complex matters and require good medico legal knowledge. If you believe in and can deliver an exceptional quality service and share our ethos and commitment to clients, this role based at our Nottingham office may be ideal for you.   Candidate You will:

• Have experience of dealing with claimant personal injury matters which are litigated with ideally 3 year + PQE or relevant experience.
• Have a good academic background and have sound procedural knowledge of how to conduct civil court actions, especially using the Damages Portal for online issuing of claims.
• Possess exceptional client care skills.
• Have knowledge of IT systems and processes
• Be a team player, with an individual touch.
• Have a desire to personally develop and progress within the firm

  Key responsibilities You will:

• Look after your own case load and assist on other complex and interesting matters.
• Be willing to conduct more substantial matters from inception.
• Integrate and be part of a small, friendly team undertaking varied, interesting and substantial cases.

We invite candidates to inform us in advance about any reasonable adjustments that they may require to take part in the selection procedure and interviews

FAMILY DEPARTMENT (SOLICITOR) - DERBY   Bhatia Best are a leading firm based in the East Midlands who specialise in Criminal Defence, Family Law, Personal Injury, Public Law and Community Care. We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Solicitor to join our busy Family Department at our Derby office. The ideal candidate will have a minimum 2 years PQE and experience of general family law with an emphasis on divorce and private law children and domestic violence. JOB PURPOSE:

1. Advise and represent clients by undertaking fee earning tasks, and promoting the efficient management of the Family department’s activities.
2. Offer support and guidance to junior colleagues and staff within the Family department.
3. Contribute to the efficient and profitable performance of the Family department.

  DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To advise and represent clients.
2. Assist and participate with training initiatives taken by the firm.
3. Comply with SQM and all internal transaction criteria and procedures.
4. Comply with the firm’s Office Manual.
5. Maintain client confidentiality and legal professional privilege.
6. Contribute to monitoring and maintenance of file review system.
7. Assist with induction and training of newly recruited staff.

We invite candidates to inform us in advance about any reasonable adjustments that they may require to take part in the selection procedure and interviews

LAW COSTS DRAFTSPERSON - FAMILY DEPARTMENT - NOTTINGHAM

Job Specification:

• Costing and billing of legal aid files to include legal helps, payments on account and final bills.
• Fully conversant with CCMS and legal aid systems
• All aspects of cost recovery including legal aid appeals
• Preparing, negotiating and agreeing high cost case plans
• Understanding and adherence to Legal Aid KPI’s
• Working closely with caseworkers
• Ensuring compliance with Legal Aid rules and internal systems
• Experience using digital case management systems and Cost Master preferable

Personal Specification: Skills:

• Good oral and written communication skills
• Competent drafting all types of bills and costs
• Competent negotiating skills

Knowledge: Understanding of rules relating to assessment and recovery of solicitors costs Basic Accounting Principles   We invite candidates to inform us in advance about any reasonable adjustments that they may require to take part in the selection procedure and interviews

CRIMINAL DEPARTMENT – ALL BRANCHES

This is an opportunity for a Solicitor (NQ+) to join our busy Criminal Department. The successful candidate will be a currently practicing solicitor in Crime, have a strong work ethic and advocacy skills, and hold a Duty Solicitor Accreditation. Our activity spans the East Midlands and the successful candidate may be required from time to time to conduct work at any of three branches or at other Police Stations and Court Centres in the area. Job Specification: Solicitor primarily practicing in the Magistrates Court conducting the full ambit of litigation and advocacy in cases from commencement to conclusion. Candidate will be required to:-

• Engage in Client interaction on daily basis either on telephone, video conferencing or in person.
• Engage in preparation of Case Files
• Attend Court on a daily basis to represent clients in Plea (NGAP / GAP) courts, remand courts, contested trials and sentencing hearings.
• Engage in Police Station Attendance and Representation.
• Engage in Litigation in respect of Crown Court matters
• Undertake out-of-hours work (Police Station and Saturday/Bank Holiday Courts) on a rota basis.

Remuneration package will include basic salary plus overtime and mileage once engaged on out-of-hours rota. Personal Specification: Skills:

• Experience maintaining case files via a computerised Case Management System. Compliance with SQM (Specialist Quality Mark) and internal transaction criteria.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Competent drafting of all types of legal documents.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to apply law to fact.
• Competent negotiating skills (both written and oral).
• Confidence in delivering coherent, robust, reliable advice to clients. Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel) and Windows 10. Full UK Driving Licence desirable (out of hours travel) but not essential.

Knowledge: Candidate will be a Solicitor with a current Practicing Certificate and have obtained CLAS Accreditation as a Duty Solicitor. All levels of PQE will be considered. We will also accept applications from CILEX accredited individuals who have the appropriate Advocacy Certificate and CLAS (Duty) Accreditation Comprehensive understanding of the Criminal Justice System and constituent elements thereof. Understanding of Criminal Legal Aid applications process. Understanding of Rules of Conduct and Client Confidentiality. Application: If you wish to apply please attach a CV and Covering Letter. If you would like to know more about this vacancy you may wish to contact either our practice manager or the Department Manager, Steve Ramsell for an informal and confidential chat.   We invite candidates to inform us in advance about any reasonable adjustments that they may require to take part in the selection procedure and interviews