Company Overview
Plowden Facilities are seeking a Junior Practice Administrator to support Parklane Plowden Chambers, providing day-to-day administrative support to Barristers, clients, and colleagues. The role involves maintaining office functionality, assisting with conferences and events, handling calls, and completing general administrative tasks. Working as part of a wider team, the successful candidate will collaborate with other Practice Administrators, support Practice Directors, and contribute to efficient resource management. They will engage closely with Barristers and Practice Directors to deliver timely, effective support and keep them informed of any developments affecting practice areas. This is a varied, hands-on role suited to someone highly organised, detail-oriented, and able to manage confidential information professionally.
Our Values
Embracing Difference - Values and promotes diversity by encouraging inclusive behaviours and recognising the strengths of varied perspectives.
Maintain Perspective - Balances short-term demands with long-term goals, keeping focus on the bigger picture and organisational impact.
Two Heads are Better than One - Encourages collaboration and shared thinking to drive better outcomes and foster team creativity.
Face up to Challenges - Tackles difficulties with honesty and resilience, promoting open communication and proactive problem-solving.
Be Progressive - Embraces innovation and continuous improvement, seeking out new ideas and ways of working.
We win and lose together - Builds a supportive team culture where success is shared and challenges are faced collectively.
Key Responsibilities:
This task list reflects the general duties of a Practice Administrator within Chambers and will vary in complexity and extent based on the post holders’ experience, knowledge and ability.
Client & Solicitor Liaison:
· Take instructions from solicitors, including assessing the case suitability for our chambers.
· Manage all communication with instructing solicitors, taking instructions on new cases, and ensuring a clear understanding of client needs.
· Provide updates on case progress and liaise with solicitors regarding any delays or changes.
· Build and maintain strong relationships with solicitors, fostering long-term collaboration.
Case Allocation & Promotion:
· Assess incoming cases based on legal complexity, area of expertise, and barrister availability.
· Allocate cases to the most appropriate barrister based on expertise, experience, and availability if appropriate.
· Prepare accurate and relevant shortlists of barristers for clients where no barrister is specified, in line with Chambers policies.
· Proactively promote our barristers to solicitors, highlighting their specialisms and backgrounds.
· Maintain accurate and up-to-date case information, including deadlines, court appearances, and key documents.
Business Development:
· Assist in developing and implementing Chambers' marketing strategies as needed and appropriate.
· Build relationships with solicitors and other legal professionals through networking and attending industry events as appropriate and needed.
· Support the organisation and delivery of seminars and events to build relationships with potential and current clients.
· Stay up to date with legal developments relevant to chambers' practice areas.
Fee Negotiation & Management:
· Negotiate fees with solicitors based on the complexity of the case and barrister's experience subject to appropriateness and need.
· Prepare and issue fee notes, ensuring accuracy and timely invoicing.
· Maintain accurate financial records and agreements.
· Resolve fee queries professionally and in a timely manner.
· Undertaking billing of lower-level work as appropriate.
Diary Management:
· Manage barristers' diaries, scheduling meetings, and court appearances to avoid conflicts.
· Actively manage the diary based on changes with courts and clients or barrister availability.
· Communicate changes to the diary in a timely and appropriate manner to clients and barristers.
· Ensure the diary is up to date and accurate.
General Administration:
· Maintaining the printing folder.
· Printing of briefs and instructions if needed and appropriate.
· Periodically checking court lists.
· Take incoming telephone calls and distribute calls accordingly.
· Organising e-bundles if needed and appropriate.
· Taking documents to court as and when required.
· Supporting the organising of conferences and meeting rooms.
Skills & Experience
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with solicitors and barristers.
· Strong organisational skills with meticulous attention to detail.
· Proficient in MS Office Suite and legal case management software.
· Familiarity with the area of law that is being administered.
· Ability to negotiate.
· Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively under pressure.
Behaviours
· Ability to prioritise and to work to deadlines.
· Good communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
· Excellent face-to-face communication and interpersonal skills for dealing with employees, clients, and barristers.
· An awareness of appropriate language and etiquette in a professional service organisation.
· Discrete and able to maintain confidence.
· Assertive when needed but in a respectful manner.
· Open minded to new ideas and ways of working.
· Empathetic and understanding to the needs and circumstances of others.
· Proactive and responsive to immediate changes.
· Self-aware and understanding of own limitations.
· Willingness to learn and seek advice from others.
· Considerate and logical when making judgements and decisions.
Pay: £25,000.00-£25,800.00 per year
Work Location: In person
