General Litigation Secretary
Law firm is Pretoria is looking for a General Litigation Secretary to join their team.
Requirements:
Minimum 5 years experience in Litigation and in a law firm
Duties:
1. Matter and file management
Opening, maintaining and closing physical and electronic legal files.
Ensuring that files are properly indexed, organised and up to date.
Maintaining accurate records of correspondence, pleadings, notices, expert reports and other legal documents.
Monitoring important dates, prescription periods, court dates, deadlines and filing dates.
Ensuring compliance with the firm's internal file-management procedures.
2. Legal document preparation
Drafting and formatting correspondence, pleadings, notices, affidavits, applications, agreements and other legal documents under the direction of an attorney.
Preparing court bundles, paginated bundles, indexes and trial documentation.
Proofreading legal documents for accuracy, formatting, spelling and consistency.
Preparing documents for service and filing with the relevant courts, attorneys and other parties.
3. Court and litigation administration
Liaising with the Sheriff, Court Registrars, counsel, experts and other legal practitioners.
Arranging service of notices and other court documents.
Monitoring court rolls, hearing dates and deadlines.
Assisting with preparation for interlocutory applications, pre-trial conferences, trials and other hearings.
Ensuring that court orders and directives are properly recorded and diarised.
Following up on outstanding pleadings, notices, expert reports and other litigation-related documents.
4. Communication and correspondence
Handling telephone calls and correspondence with clients, attorneys, counsel, experts, medical practitioners, advocates and other stakeholders as per the direction and instructions of the attorney.
Drafting routine correspondence on behalf of the attorney.
Following up on outstanding information and documentation and diarising follow-ups until completion.
Keeping clients informed regarding administrative or procedural developments, within the limits of the secretary's authority and as per the direction and instructions of the attorney.
Maintaining professional and confidential communication at all times.
5. Diary, time -and deadline management
Managing the attorney's diary and appointments.
Diarising court dates, consultations, filing deadlines, prescription dates and other important dates and bringing it to the attention of the attorney
Providing reminders regarding upcoming deadlines and outstanding actions.
Coordinating meetings, consultations and virtual hearings.
Attending to correspondence and legal timelines timeously.
6. Client and expert liaison
Obtaining and organising documentation required from clients and/or correspondents.
Requesting medical, employment, financial and other records where applicable.
Liaising with expert witnesses regarding appointments, instructions, reports and outstanding information.
Coordinating consultations between attorneys, clients, counsel and experts.
7. Financial and administrative responsibilities
Preparing invoices and assisting with billing.
Recording and monitoring disbursements.
Obtaining quotations and arranging payment of expert fees, sheriff's fees, medical records and other litigation-related expenses.
Following up on outstanding payments as per the direction and instructions of the attorney.
Assisting with trust-account or billing administration, where applicable and under appropriate supervision.
Claim reconciliation specific to the department.
8. Confidentiality and professional conduct
Maintaining strict confidentiality in respect of client information and privileged communications.
Handling sensitive personal, financial and medical information appropriately.
Ensuring that documents and information are only disclosed to authorised persons.
Conducting themselves professionally when dealing with clients, courts, counsel and other practitioners
Please send your CV to