We are looking for a Caseworker to join our busy Crown Court Department in the South West. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting Solicitors and Advocates in preparing cases ready for court.
The successful candidate will have an assigned caseload to manage and will assist the team with case preparation as required. There will be the opportunity to work with a more experienced caseworker in a “buddy” system for ad hoc support and collaboration as you learn.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our fast-growing and supportive team across England and Wales, with good development opportunities in the future.
Roles and Responsibilities
Our work is both challenging and varied and we will be looking for someone to join our busy department. The right candidate should:
- Manage, subject to Court deadlines, all case preparation, case progression and administrative tasks throughout the life cycle of assigned cases for Trial, sentence and appeal at the Crown Court working both independently and in partnership with barristers, fellow caseworkers and the local team.
- Take instructions, proof of evidence and attending to clients both on bail and in custody as required.
- Undertake legal research and apply for the authorisation of funding on legal aid and the instruction of experts when required. ·
- When the need arises, brief cases through barristers chambers or liaise with counsel’s clerks to set up appointments and legal visits for counsel as necessary. ·
- Accurately time record for all work carried out on the case management system; ensuring all files and our clients are kept updated and to the standard in accordance with the Office Manual and Lexcel requirements (full training given). ·
- Provide the highest level of customer service and demonstrate a good understanding of client care requirements. ·
- Quality check files on conclusion for Crown Court Department ·
- Complete Billing Checklists. ·
- Reception and diary cover as requested and attend the office subject to a team rota hybrid working arrangement. ·
- Any other duties as directed by the Team Leader or a member of the Management Team.
The Reeds Criminal Defence department is extremely collaborative and you would have the benefit of working with Criminal Defence colleagues across our offices, as well as the wider team when the need arises.
Person Specification
- Experience in case working Crown Court cases within either a criminal solicitors office or a barristers’ chambers.
- Ideally have experience of handling own caseload of criminal or prison law cases. ·
- Experience of the CCDCS, Legal aid portal and CJSM secure email is desirable but not essential, full training will be provided. ·
- Must be a good communicator in both written and spoken English.
- Must be IT literate and be willing to learn; having excellent time management and organisational skills is essential.
- Good team work ethics working in a small but busy casework team. ·
- A legal qualification such as CILEX and/or Police Station Accreditation would be desirable but not essential.
- Drivers licence and access to car is essential. The department covers a number of Crown Courts and prisons within the catchment and therefore ad-hoc travel is required.
Salary – Starting at £24,000.00 (Junior) to £30,000 (Senior)
Working Hours – 9:00am to 5:00pm, with one hour for lunch Monday – Friday. Flexible and hybrid working is available.
Job Type – Permanent
Closing Date – We reserve the right to amend the closing date or withdraw the advert without notice prior to the closing date.
Why Work for Reeds?
At Reeds we do things The Reeds Way – a set of foundational principles that not only tell us how we run our business, but why.
Externally, it governs how we look after our clients. For example, we have developed our Service Pledge, and our whole firm works as a team to make sure we deliver on this every time. The Reeds Way also governs and guides how we try to add value to the communities in which we operate.
Internally, the Reeds Way governs our culture, the Reeds working environment, and the working life and career that we offer to all Reeds people – About Us – Reeds Solicitors
We are a forward thinking, dynamic, Leading Top Tier Legal 500 company, who put their clients and employees first. We are a fun and flexible firm with good opportunities for development and career progression, in fact we have been award-shortlisted for our flexible working and wellbeing policies. We expect a lot from our employees but in return we offer:
- A culture of respect for colleagues and the best possible service for our clients.
- Employee assistance programme with access to physical, mental and emotional health advice & webinars, wellbeing videos and programmes, online counselling & mini health check
- We safeguard a non-negotiable culture of respect for and between colleagues;
- We offer a transparent and fair career development structure with opportunities for all lawyers and fee-earners to progress through the stages and become an Associate, Senior Associate and hopefully Partner;
- All our people – and that means all our people – constantly undergo training and development via The ‘Reeds Academy’ which helps everyone achieve their career goals and get to where they want to be professionally, and to enhance their business skills and knowledge;
- We encourage all our staff to think about business development and look for growth opportunities. We are always willing to listen to, and potentially invest in, new ideas;
- We offer competitive salary and benefit packages and have a transparent annual review process which considers your whole contribution to your team and the Firm, not just billing figures;
- We offer to all staff a discretionary bonus scheme for exceptional performance as well as performance related bonuses;
- We offer flexible working schemes which include compressed 4 day weeks, 9 day fortnights and TOIL (time off in lieu), as well as a true commitment to hybrid working;
- You will enjoy the ability to earn up to 30 days of holiday with years of service (standard holiday packages start at 21 days plus all bank holidays);
- There is an additional paid celebration day for you to use as you would like (such as a birthday, anniversary or other key event);
- You will have the ability to buy a further 5 days of holiday, and sell surplus holiday, each year;
- Discretionary additional holiday days are given at Christmas (up to a maximum of 2 days);
- We give you private medical health care with the option to upgrade and add optical and dental care;
- Discounted gym membership is available, through private medical insurance;
- We offer an employee assistance programme with access to physical, mental and emotional health advice & webinars, wellbeing videos and programmes, online counselling & mini health checks;
- The Cycle To Work scheme is available, including e-bikes;
- Fresh fruit baskets are placed in each office on a weekly basisRead more about Reeds Solicitors here.
How to Apply
If you are interested in this position, or would like further information, please email [email protected] with the job title clearly stated in the subject line.