Legal Help Claims Manager

Required Skills

• Legal help
• Legal claims
• EC claims
• Legal billing
• Management

Job Summary

Location: Remote (Ideally near Dartford or Birmingham)
Starting Salary: £40,000 to £45,000
Reporting To: Head of Civil Billing

My client, a well-established leading law firm, is seeking a professional law candidate with strong knowledge of legal aid to join their multi-office company.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Legal Help Manager to oversee the legal help claims process, manage a team, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. This role requires a detail-oriented professional with strong leadership and technical expertise in legal help and civil billing.

Key Responsibilities

1. Legal Help Claim Approval & Compliance

• Review and approve all legal help claims prepared by fee-earners before submission.
• Ensure ledger rates, funding evidence, and documentation are accurate and compliant.
• Minimise rejections, appeals, and lost costs through thorough review and process improvements.

Billing & File Management

• Monitor and action dormant file reports to ensure timely billing of all legal help files upon case conclusion.
• Oversee the submission of EC claims within required time frames.
• Work closely with the Head of Civil Billing to improve billing processes and maximise profitability.

Team Management & Growth

• Manage and support at least one team member, with scope to recruit additional staff as required.
• Develop training programmes to enhance efficiency and compliance within the team and more widely throughout the firm.
• Provide ongoing guidance and support to fee-earners on legal help queries (approx. 115 fee-earners in civil and family teams).

Strategic Planning & Reporting

• Work collaboratively with the Head of Civil Billing to set and meet departmental targets.
• Contribute to the overall strategy for legal help claims and civil billing.
• Identify areas for process improvements and efficiencies.

Process Development & Expansion

• Over time, recruit, train, and manage additional staff to take on legal help billing, freeing up fee-earner capacity.

Compliance & Audit Preparation

• Ensure adherence to all relevant regulations, including:
• Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012
• Standard Civil Contract and Specification
• Costs Assessment Guidance (2018/2024)
• Prepare for and support the firm during Legal Aid Agency audits.

This role offers an opportunity to lead a vital function within their civil billing team, drive improvements, and contribute to the firm's financial and operational success. The firm provides excellent benefits, including private health. If you are looking to make a significant impact within a dynamic organization and develop your legal career, we encourage you to apply for this exciting Legal Manager position.

Experience

Required Experience & Skills:

• Extensive experience in legal help, EC claims, and associated funding regulations.
• Prior management experience in a legal billing environment.
• Strong knowledge of Legal Aid Agency requirements and audit processes.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to train, manage, and develop a growing team.