Lead File Handler

Application Deadline: 20 December 2024

Department: Legal

Location: Coventry

Description

To handle own caseload of Mesothelioma contribution claims. These will be a mix of both pre –litigated and litigated claims pursuant to the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978. Recoveries will need to be sought from both employers and occupiers where necessary. The role will involve factual and legal investigations, restoration of corporate entities, issuing proceedings where necessary-standing in the shoes of a Claimant. The individual will need a sound knowledge of the IDCWP guidelines – as defendants will be other insurer clients.
The caseload will include a mix of cases on behalf of all insurer clients and corporates where recoveries are required. The role will be client facing with the opportunity to grow client relationships. The individual will have the opportunity to grow a small team focusing on a recovery product for insurer clients.
The role will include the support of an assistant fee earner. To supervise and develop the skills of the assistants and ensure appropriate strategies are being followed and levels of profitability achieved. The Lead File Handler does not need experience of all disease types, but knowledge of Mesothelioma claims is imperative.

Key Responsibilities

• Reviewing documents and preparing reports
• Dealing with disclosure
• Reviewing evidence (including medical / personnel records)
• Conducting investigations with Insured / obtaining witness statements
• Instructing Counsel / Experts
• Research
• Drafting generally- preparing proceedings where necessary
• Attending conferences and Trials with Counsel
• Dealing with routine correspondence
• Court appointments
• Providing initial reports and further reports / advice to clients
• Liaising directly with the Claims Handlers and Managers
• Complying with Clients instructions
• Willing to engage in Client development when required
• Assisting team in achieving goals and objectives
• Meeting agreed targets
• To ensure compliance with the SRA Code of Conduct 2011
• Adhere to the Keoghs Values
The individual may also be required to undertake the following:
• Initial report/review
• Periodic review
• Update reports

The above is not a definitive list of possible work which may be delegated.

Working Hours
35 hours per week, Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch. Primary location for this role is Coventry.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Recruitment Criteria:
• Technically proficient in dealing with disease cases and/or having a willingness to learn quickly in a technically challenging environment
• Effective negotiator
• Ability to use own initiative
• Flexibility in relation to tasks undertaken
• Good listening and verbal communication skills
• Ability to maintain concentration and pay attention to detail
• Ability to self-organise and self-prioritise
• Ability to work under pressure and to target
• An enthusiastic and hardworking individual
• Good level of IT skills

Values

Our culture is focussed on making Keoghs sustainable and successful for our people and clients, with this our four values are at the heart of everything we do;

We are connected
We are dynamic
We are innovative
We succeed together

Benefits

• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)


• Family Cover Private Medical Insurance ( Bupa) - will automatically be at single cover level but can opt into family option within first month of joining.


• Simply Health Care Cash Plan


• WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing


• Death in Service


• Critical Illness Cover


• PHI/Income Protection ( Private health insurance)


• Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer


• Cycle to Work Scheme*


• Tech Scheme*


• Season Ticket Loan*


• Gym Flex*


• Access to Online Discount Sites


• Discounted Gourmet Society Membership


• Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide


• Discounts at local retail outlets

*after successfully completing probation