This role offers an excellent development opportunity for a Paralegal to work alongside a Lead Lawyer in our Belfast office assisting with Catastrophic Injury, Motor and Counter-Fraud claims.

The successful candidate will assist with case progression tasks to include discovery exercises, liability investigations, obtaining statements from Policyholders and witnesses, analysing quantum evidence, drafting court documents, liaising with counsel, medical experts and engineers, liaising with Police, trial preparation and legal research. The role will also involve attending at court and consultations.

This role will suit not only experienced Paralegals but also graduates seeking to gain vital legal experience with the aim of progressing their legal career including attending IPLS.

Keoghs is the leading provider of legal and claims solutions to insurers, businesses and other suppliers to the insurance sector. Keoghs Northern Ireland has grown year on year since inception in the local market in 2019 and now has over 50 staff solely dedicated to defendant insurance litigation services. The strong and well-respected reputation of our experienced team has been recognised in the Legal 500 and Chambers Directories.

We work in partnership with our insurance clients and their policyholders, providing a supportive team focused approach, resulting in excellent outcomes. There is a great team ethos within our Northern Ireland office, where we encourage personal development and wellbeing. We offer hybrid working and a relaxed dress code, and we pride ourselves on our agile working policy. Our team is friendly and supportive, and there are opportunities to become part of our social committee, participate in charity events and to get involved in client development initiatives.

Progression

We have ambitious growth plans for our future. We have a clear Career Progression Pathway, and each team member engages in a Continuing Conversation with our Leadership Team to ensure we support you in developing your talent with internal promotions to Trainee Solicitor, Associate, Team Lead and Partner, as we celebrate and reward our successes. We are fully committed to recognising contribution and rewarding high performance, making Keoghs a great place to develop your career.

The cases you will work on will be varied and exciting, with opportunities to develop into specialisms of particular interest to you, as we play to the strengths of each team member.

Key Accountabilities

• Assist the Lead Lawyer with case progression tasks.
• Communicate, build and utilise relationships with colleagues, clients and third parties in a professional and knowledgeable manner.
• Progress discovery matters by drafting the appropriate pleadings and thoroughly reviewing all discoverable material. Liaising with Policyholders to ensure all discoverable documentation is obtained.
• Carry out legal research, reviewing evolving case law and procedural nuances of certain claims.
• Assist with investigation matters by taking both informal and formal statements from Policyholders and witnesses. Liaising with the PSNI to obtain relevant Police documents.
• Assist with trial preparation with compiling trial bundles and helping both clients and witnesses prepare to testify at trial.
• Compile an in-depth analysis of quantum evidence which includes preparing chronologies and identifying anomalies across various sources of evidence to include Hospital and GP notes, but also medico-legal reports to assist the Partner with reserve calculations.
• Instruct Counsel, engineers and medico-legal experts by compiling briefs and letters of instruction.
• Draft updates to clients and brokers.
• Daily task list management including prioritisation and managing deadlines.
• Work well within the team.
• Act as a role model for Keoghs Values.

Working Hours

35 hours per week

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch.

Primary location for this role is Belfast

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

• Law Degree
• No previous experience is necessary but is desired.
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritise work, keep to deadlines and work under pressure
• Ability to work to agreed targets and service level agreements
• Excellent research skills
• High level of analytical skills
• Excellent IT skills

Benefits

• Davies Incentive Plan
• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
• 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 – after 1 years’ service
• Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer
• Employee Resource Groups
• Employee Volunteering Programme
• 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