Supervisor - Small Claims
Role Responsibility
The overall purpose of this role is to provide a timely, professional and high-quality service to clients in the management of litigated and pre-litigated property recovery matters.
The candidate will manage their own caseload (small claims litigated and mixed value pre-litigated) property recovery matters as well as providing supervision and support to a team of pre-litigation claims handlers). The candidate will also provide support to Associates and Partners in managing the team and undertaking business development.
• Manage a personal and team property recovery caseload under supervision. This will include developing knowledge of legal issues in respect of a variety of peril based recoveries as well as building an understanding of liability issues.
• Hit, maintain and apply a consistent approach to all individual and team targets of financial performance, utilisation, realisation rates, settlement rate and average claim spend.
• Act as a point of referral for technical queries and supervision from pre-litigation claims handlers.
• Assess liability and quantum and establish a strategy for each matter.
• Accessing and utilising direct access to client computer systems as well as those of other supply chain companies.
• Resolve claims through negotiation and/or litigation where necessary and within client service standards.
• Draft and issue court claim forms and particulars and handle Small Claims litigated matters through to trial or earlier settlement, under supervision.
• Ensure court directions are complied with at all times.
• Maintain ongoing contact with the client/insured and other key stakeholders throughout the litigation process by regular correspondence, reporting and updating of management information.
• Instruct experts and external counsel where appropriate.
• Play a key role in developing and maintaining client relationships.
• Ensure that the client’s brand and methodology are promoted effectively in all dealings with third parties.
• Ensure that case management system and hard copy files are updated with diary dates as required.
• Assume responsibility for quality control and client protocol compliance, including accuracy and timeliness of record keeping, file management and management reporting and information.
• Ensure that the DAC Beachcroft brand and standards are maintained at all times.
• Handle confidential information in line with the firms data security protocols.
The Ideal Candidate
• Proven ability to effectively run a caseload and perform to a good standard in small claims paralegal, claims handling or insurance claims handler role is essential.
• Previous experience of civil litigation process is desirable.
• Experience within the field of property recovery litigation/insurance is desirable.
• Confident oral and written communication skills essential.
• IT literate with working knowledge of Word and Excel. Knowledge/previous experience of case management systems would be an advantage but training will be provided. Good keyboard skills are also essential.
• Experience of training or supervising others in a small claims paralegal, claims handling, or insurance claims handler role is desirable.
• Client focused with an ability to build strong relationships with client and third party contacts at all levels.
• Able to work to deadlines, prioritise own workload effectively under pressure and manage conflicting priorities.
• Proactive with a tenacious approach to identifying issues and solving problems.
• Quality and customer service oriented with a concern for accuracy and an eye for detail.
• Team oriented. A collegiate approach to sharing knowledge and working with colleagues across locations is essential.
• Able to progress tasks using own initiative, seeking guidance and input from others where appropriate.
• Committed and enthusiastic with a professional attitude to work and a desire to commit long term to a career in this field.
About the Company
We are a leading international legal business with over 2,400 colleagues and a diverse range of capabilities. We have 11 offices in the UK as well as offices in Dublin, Madrid, Singapore, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Miami. We also have associations/alliances with firms in Northern Ireland, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Brazil, Peru, Central America, Argentina, the USA, Australia and Germany.
We are known for our market-leading presence in sectors such as Insurance, Health and Real Estate. This is complemented by a fast-growing Business Advisory capability. We represent a wide range of clients, ranging from household names to government departments and NHS bodies. We act for the majority of the top 30 insurance and financial services companies operating in the UK. We are the asset management lawyers for the UK’s largest shopping centres and act for 9 of the UK’s top 10 housebuilders.
We have an impressive legal pedigree, with 155 Chambers UK 2019 practice area and individual lawyer rankings, including 30 rankings at 'Band 1' level. In Legal 500 UK, 2018, the firm received top tier ranking for 32 of its practice areas and 59 practice areas in the top two tiers. In March 2018, we were named as one of Legal Week's Best Legal Advisors for the third year running, achieving category-leading satisfaction scores for our commercial approach, service delivery, quality of legal advice, communication & responsiveness and overall relationships.
Our vision is to be leading business advisers, recognised for our insight and our outstanding commitment to clients, and for being the place where talented people want to work. For further details on our work and our culture, please visit www.dacbeachcroft.com.
DAC Beachcroft is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from every sector of the community. We also welcome direct applications. If this opportunity sounds of interest to you, please make an application and submit your CV. Your application will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence.
DAC Beachcroft