Job description
The Claims Solutions Group Property team in Bristol provides advice and claims’ management services to the insurance industry. Our specialist Coverage and Liability team is led in Bristol by 3 partners and 1 associate. We provide expert and practical advice covering a range of areas, including:
- Property Damage claims, including pursuing subrogated recovery actions and defending Policy coverage disputes.
- The defence of public and product liability claims.
- Business interruption claims.
- Claims involving issues arising under structural warranties
- Investigating and defending allegations of fraud arising under property insurance policies, as well as complaints.
The available role is within the Property Liability Team, the Property Liability Team defend a variety of (predominantly sub-£100k) liability and coverage claims. The team has experience in a wide range of sectors including agriculture, faith, construction and hospitality, as well as a particular speciality in ‘green’ highway chattels’ and surface damage claims on behalf of insurers and their policyholders.
As well as offering high levels of flexibility and a great work life balance, we offer a well-rounded remuneration package (which includes private medical insurance, income protection insurance and discounted gym membership, amongst many other benefits) alongside real opportunities for growth and progression. We actively encourage colleagues to make use of our professional funding scheme to complete legal or business qualifications relevant to your role.
At DAC Beachcroft our Flex Forward policy means that we have relaxed core hours and colleagues are able to flex their hours across the day and week. For more information please review the following link - https://jobs.dacbeachcroft.com/whats-in-it-for-you/
There are regular in person and remote social events organised for colleagues at DAC Beachcroft , not to mention the opportunity to get involved in a range of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities, including volunteering or becoming an ally for one of our inclusion and diversity or business network groups.
We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, which aligns closely to our cultural principles (Determined, Clear, Creative and Supportive). If you are excited about this role and being part of our culture, but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!
Main ResponsibilitiesWe are looking for someone to supervise, develop and coach a team of junior paralegals by ensuring the team deliver and exceed against financial targets, maintain and improve the quality of service to clients. Your role will include:
- Developing your knowledge of all aspects of property-related insurance claims, including policy coverage disputes, public and product liability claims, fraud claims and complaints, and subrogated recovery claims and liability matters.
- Developing your knowledge of litigation tactics and a sound working knowledge of the CPR.
- Claims handling a variety of litigated and pre-litigated files.
- Supervising a team of paralegals
- Ensuring files are run pro-actively and effectively to conclusion by the relevant paralegals, with appropriate deadlines met.
- Ensuring that lawyers work effectively to meet the needs of the clients and the commercial requirements of the firm, managing any identified fee earner performance or conduct issues
- Driving and improving individual lawyers financial performance through effective management and support
- Supporting the Team Manager with recruitment activities, such as interviewing and application short-listing.
- Responsible for the induction of new joiners, internal training of the team and ongoing technical development of lawyers
- Ensuring that the case management system and hard copy files are updated with diary dates as required by the case.
- Assuming responsibility for client protocol compliance both on own files and where working on task-based assignments.
- Handling confidential information in line with the firm's data security protocols
- Meeting and exceeding internal targets for time recording and billing.
- Previous supervision and / or team management experience is advantageous and essential when managing lawyers undertaking more complex roles.
- Sufficient technical ability to supervise the allocated sub-team.
- Knowledge of the litigation process through experience.
- Be interested in and have a good working knowledge of general contract and tortious principles.
- Be interested in and willing to learn insurance-based property damage law.
- Be interested in and willing to learn the technical aspects of construction and property claims’ investigations as required for the role.
- Evidence of commercial acumen, having an ability to adopt a commercial perspective rather than an ‘academic’ approach to claims settlement.
- Demonstrates alignment with the Firm’s Cultural Principles (Clear, Creative, Determined and Supportive).