Prison Law Fee Earner / Supervisor

Our busy Prison Law department is growing and therefore we are looking for Fee Earners and Supervisors to join the team. We are specifically looking to hire someone based within the South West areas (Bristol/Gloucester/Swindon) but we are open to considering candidates based in other locations as the department grows, as long as they are willing to travel to prisons as necessary.,

• Meeting and interviewing clients to give advice on Prison Law matters and take their instructions.


• Advising clients on the procedure, law and legal issues relating to their case.


• Drafting applications, documents, letters that may arise during the course of a case.


• Acting on behalf of clients and representing them at any Oral Hearings whether that be for an Adjudication or a Parole Hearing or CAT A Board.


• Travel across the area and the wider business to visit clients in custody and represent them face to face if necessary and where videolink is not available.


• Preparing client's representations.


• Manage complex prison law cases and own case load from beginning to end. Ensuring that files are compliant with the Prison Law LAA contract and LEXCEL.


• Working in a team, sometimes referring cases to the Head of Department.


• Undertaking file reviews where necessary.


• Supervising and delegating work to caseworkers and admin support, as appropriate.


• Billing private paying clients for work done on their behalf.


• Promoting the prison law department in general, working collaboratively with the team in devising new work incentives and representing the firm by providing the highest level of customer service


• Any other duties as directed by the Team Leader or a member of the Management Team.
  
  We will consider candidates who are looking for full time and part time positions, but they must have previous experience working within the area., Experience of dealing with Prison Law cases.


• It is desirable but not essential to meet the LAA supervisor requirements.


• Excellent communicator in both written and spoken English.


• Excellent understanding of client care requirements and a commitment to legal aid.


• Proficient in using Microsoft Office package and the ability to learn and efficiently use both practice and case management software.


• Must be proactive in seeking to manage and progress files and apply a consistent attention to detail.


• The ability to work within a high pressure, high workload environment.


• Be self-confident, proactive, and able to develop good working relationships with third parties.


• Excellent time management and organisation skills.


• Resilient with the ability to cope with ever changing priorities.


• A flexible approach and willingness to help, across all teams and departments, with a "can do" attitude.
  
  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.

So, what does all this look like when put into practice? Here is what you can expect from us if you join our team:

• 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 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;


• We offer flexible working schemes which include compressed 4 day weeks, 9 day fortnights and TOIL (time off in lieu), as well as other hybrid working schemes;


• 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 basis.


Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £28,000.00-£35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave


• Cycle to work scheme


• Employee discount


• Health & wellbeing programme


• Private medical insurance


• Referral programme


Schedule:

• Flexitime


• Monday to Friday