About The Team

Our Human Rights team are currently working on a large variety of cases for individuals based within the UK and abroad. This role will sit within Waleed Sheikh's team who primarily for clients who are, or have been, detained under immigration powers. This includes public and private law claims challenging unlawful detention, delays in the provision of Home Office accommodation and claims related to other immigration bail conditions. They also act for age-disputed unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

The team also act in ARAP cases for Afghan nationals employed by the British military in Afghanistan. Other work includes national security cases in proceedings before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission and the High Court, as well as race-based discrimination cases. They also act in high profile cases of public international law.

Overall purpose for this role

To assist the team with progressing their case work and providing overall support with both fee earning work and administrative tasks.

This role involves both proactively taking control of and managing non-legal work of the team, but also assisting to progress casework with research, taking witness statements, preparing bundles, legal aid applications and drafting documents.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

The role involves utilising our case management system, drafting letters and emails, dealing with clients, experts, counsel and other solicitors, preparing bundles and general administrative support, including the tasks summarised below:

• Providing the team with expertise and support in advanced use of Microsoft Word, Excel and other relevant software, including the firm's document management system.
• Liaising with clients, barristers, other solicitors, experts, costs draftsmen, the courts and others to arrange meetings and also to give and receive information and documents.
• Ensuring that data protection obligations are met in relation to handling clients' confidential information.
• Understanding and delivering compliance requirements of Lexcel and otherwise.
• Working closely with clients including those who may be vulnerable, such as victims of torture, modern slavery, individuals with complex mental health needs, and individuals with a criminal offending history. Taking detailed instructions from clients including regarding traumatic personal events.
• Preparing legal documents such as pre-action Letters Before Claim, witness statements, Schedules of Loss and Court Budgets.
• Management of electronic files on Liberate, including file opening, regularly updating case information, time recording, ledgers, preparation of bills and file closing.
• Proven ability to utilise internet research skills.
• Accurately managing client paper files, including the timely and accurate filing of correspondence and documents and sorting / paginating evidence, including medical and personnel records.
• Producing accurate documents, correspondence, minutes and meeting notes as required.
• Conducting financial eligibility assessments for public funding and taking responsibility for the monitoring of Legal Aid Agency requirements as a case progresses, and ensuring these are met.
• Using electronic bundling software to produce bundles of documents for the court and others.
• Promoting and facilitating teamwork by offering and seeking help whenever necessary.
• Undertaking other ad-hoc duties as requested from time to time.