Case Handler for medico-legal Expert Witnesses

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Job description

ABOUT US

Somek & Associates is a brand leader in providing Expert Witness services for clinical negligence and personal injury litigation, as well as other areas of dispute involving health or disability issues including family matters, criminal cases, tribunal, coroner's court and professional regulation issues.

We take the business of being an Expert Witness seriously, aiming to provide first class Expert Witnesses, in addition to a quality service for our clients.

Our Vision

To be the organisation of choice for Expert Witness services in the UK

Our Mission

• To ensure Courts have the best Expert evidence with which to deal with cases justly
• To ensure lawyers litigating cases (and other case workers instructing us) have supreme confidence in their decisions based on our quality Expert input
• To ensure our expert input is seen as value for money

Our Values

• Respect - Creating a supportive, kind and inclusive environment.
• Quality - Delivering consistently high standards
• Reputation - Cultivating lasting relationships with clients and associates
• Teamwork and Communication - Recognising unique contribution and rewarding success
• Growth - Developing the mindset to maximise the potential of our individuals and organisation

POSITION

As Case Handler you will oversee the administrative aspects of your allocated medico-legal case load, from reservation, through to trial/case settlement. You will effectively and efficiently manage your case load; liaising with internal teams, externally based Expert Witnesses, and clients (typically solicitors). This will involve the timely management of case events, including assessments, report drafting, telephone meetings, conferences, Expert meetings and trials.

We pride ourselves on the professional service that we deliver. As Case Handler, you will be providing clients and Experts with a positive and quality experience. This will involve interpreting client instructions and Expert requests, liaising with instructing solicitors regarding initial and supplemental Expert reports and negotiating appropriate deadlines.

Being part of a small team, whilst also being able to work independently, you will be able to work under pressure, organise your time, prioritize your workload and deliver tasks to strict deadlines. You will be articulate and have excellent communication skills.

Employment Type: Permanent, full-time

Days: Monday to Friday

Hours: 09:00 to 17:30 (including 1 hour break)

Location: Somek & Associates, 9 Chess Business Park, Moor Road, Chesham, HP51SD

Accountable to: Case Handler Team Leader

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

As Case Handler, your primary responsibilities will include:

• Providing exceptional customer service for clients and Experts.
• Interpreting client instructions and Expert requests.
• Effective and efficient management of own case load of open cases. This will comprise the timely management of case events (assessments, telephone meetings, conferences, Expert's meetings, trials etc) and communications with clients (typically solicitors) and Experts throughout the duration of a case, from reservation through to settlement or trial.
• Liaising with instructing solicitors regarding initial and supplemental reports, including clarifying instructions and negotiating appropriate deadlines.
• Overseeing the arrangement of all Expert events required by the court (assessments, provision of joint statements, case conferences, trials etc) and following up on these to ensure that any related work is submitted in accordance with court directions orders (where they exist).
• Up-dating in-house database accurately.
• Handling confidential information and evidence.
• Arranging Expert travel / accommodation and recording this on the database.
• Assisting Experts with workload planning and diary management.
• Providing adhoc training for junior team members.
• Developing and/or assisting in the development of Best Practice Standards. Ensuring they remain up-to-date with team practices / processes.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Case handlers will need to:

• be articulate.
• have excellent written and verbal communication and negotiation skills.
• have good critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• possess strong organisational skills.
• be reliable and trustworthy.
• be able to use own initiative, whilst also working as part of a small team.
• be able to work flexibly.
• have demonstrable assertiveness skills.
• be able to work under pressure and prioritise their own workload.

Training

In-house training will be provided.

Confidentiality

The nature of the work of S&A is highly confidential and the post holder will be expected to maintain full confidence.

Why work with us?

Located in Chesham, beside the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we're a well-established small-to-medium sized company with a family feel. If you work with us, you'll be joining a warm and welcoming team.

We offer a great range of employee benefits, which includes:

• 31 days holiday a year (including Bank Holidays)
• Individualised training opportunities to support career development,
• Free and confidential Employee Assistance support for you and your family
• Hybrid working after qualifying period
• Private Healthcare after qualifying period
• Increasing pension contributions with service
• On site Electric Vehicle charger
• Free on site parking and refreshments
• Staff events including support to the Community and staff social events
• End of the month lunch

Somek and Associates is proud to be a Disability Confident employer. Please let us know if you need any support throughout the recruitment process.

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