Practice Manager (2005)
New Square Chambers

Salary: £Competitive + Excellent Benefits
Type: Full time
Location: London

About Chambers:

New Square Chambers is a leading commercial chancery set based in Lincoln's Inn, London. Recognised by both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, Chambers is renowned for its expertise across commercial litigation, property, insolvency, company, trusts and estates, and civil fraud.

With over 40 barristers, including King's Counsel, New Square combines legal excellence with a collaborative and supportive culture. The Practice Management and Clerking teams play a vital role in delivering the exceptional client service for which Chambers is known, making this an excellent opportunity to join one of the Bar's most respected sets.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Assistant Practice Manager with at least seven years' experience seeking the next step in their career, or for an established Practice Manager looking to take on greater responsibility within a busy and highly regarded set of chambers.

The successful candidate will be a proactive, commercially minded professional with strong leadership skills, capable of managing complex practices, developing junior colleagues and making a significant contribution to the continued success and growth of Chambers.

Practice Manager Job Description:

The primary focus of this role is to provide day-to-day practice and diary management support, while contributing to client and business development. Working closely with clerking colleagues, members and support staff, the Practice Manager will help ensure the efficient running of the clerks' room and the effective management of a team of barristers. Reporting to the Senior Clerk or Deputy Senior Clerk, the Practice Manager will be responsible for supervising and developing the Assistant Practice Managers and Junior Clerk, while supporting Chambers' growth through client relationship management, networking and business development initiatives.

Clerking and Clerk's Room Responsibilities

Practice and Diary Management

• Daily responsibility for the allocation of work and diary management for assigned barristers.
• Take responsibility for the diary and case management system, ensuring diary dates, case records, fee data, tasks, contact details and related information are accurately maintained and updated.
• Check diaries regularly for forward planning, including the following day, week and month.
• Liaise with the courts, clients and other barristers' clerks to secure appropriate hearing and appointment dates, maintaining accurate records of all negotiations.
• Oversee listing information
• Liaise with the Assistant Practice Manager regarding forthcoming appointments for members of your group, with the aim of securing the most suitable dates wherever possible.
• Liaise daily with clients and barristers regarding commitments, availability, case progress and other relevant matters, ensuring the timely delivery of papers and appropriate follow-up of correspondence.
• Act as the primary point of contact for external clients, dealing with enquiries relating to members of the team.
• Respond to client queries and requests for information efficiently, professionally and courteously.
• Advise solicitors and other clients on the most appropriate Counsel, their availability and applicable fee rates.
• Liaise internally and externally to organise conferences, meetings and other appointments on behalf of barristers.

Case Administration and Operational Management

• Review correspondence and briefs received into Chambers, recording and following up requests for advice, documents or additional information as required.
• Ensure Chambers' policies, protocols and procedures are adhered to effectively and efficiently.
• Have a clear understanding of the Bar Direct Scheme, Terms of Work, Conditional Fee Agreements, and the regulatory requirements governing services to solicitors, foreign lawyers and overseas clients.
• Ensure that you and the clerks working alongside you meet Chambers' clerking standards and comply with established clerking systems and procedures, contributing to their ongoing development and improvement.
• Work closely with colleagues to provide an efficient, responsive and high-quality service to members, clients and professional contacts, while helping to maintain a positive working environment.

Fee Management and Financial Administration

• Negotiate fees, including stage payments and tranche arrangements, and oversee the pricing and billing of work.
• Review unassessed reports regularly, liaising with case clerks and barristers to ensure timesheets and fee information are provided promptly.
• Enter timesheets onto case record in a timely manner.
• Sending fee notes promptly, as required.
• Chasing any fees for members of chambers, as appropriate and liaising with colleagues regarding this subject.

Team Leadership and Development

• Support, train and supervise junior team members, providing guidance to enhance their skills in practice management, client care, time management and business development.
• Provide guidance and assistance to Assistant Practice Managers and other junior staff as required.
• Maintain excellent communication and provide appropriate support and cover for other teams, particularly during periods of absence or increased workload.

Governance and Professional Standards

• Report any problems, complaints or service issues promptly to the Senior Clerk to determine the appropriate course of action.
• Act in a manner that represents Chambers professionally and appropriately at all times, maintaining the highest standards of conduct.
• Undertake any other duties as directed by the Senior Clerk or Deputy Senior Clerk to support the efficient and effective operation of Chambers.

Practice Development

• Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to proactively manage and develop the practices within your group, building and maintaining strong working relationships with barristers through regular discussions on practice development and diary management.
• Take a proactive approach to identifying and securing opportunities to enhance and grow barristers' practices through regular engagement with clients and professional contacts.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the practices and availability of barristers across Chambers through regular communication and collaboration with the clerking team.
• Develop a strong understanding of the practices and clients within your team, as well as a good knowledge of the wider Chambers.
• Keep up to date with developments in the legal profession and at the Bar, including client activity, and understand how these may affect clerking services.

Marketing and Business Development

• Attend events as and when required to represent Chambers at conferences, networking events, and other professional engagements and to do so in a professional manner

Candidate Qualities and Experience

• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage diaries, hearings, deadlines, workloads and multiple competing priorities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to draft clear and professional correspondence.
• Excellent interpersonal and telephone communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with barristers, solicitors, clients and colleagues.
• Commercial awareness, including an understanding of fees, profitability, business development and market trends.
• Leadership ability, including experience of leading, mentoring, supervising and developing junior colleagues.
• Strong decision-making skills and the ability to exercise sound judgement under pressure.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve operational, client and practice-related issues effectively.
• Professionalism, integrity and discretion, maintaining confidentiality and complying with GDPR requirements.
• Resilience and the ability to remain calm, flexible and effective in a busy environment with tight deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when handling financial and practice records.
• Adaptability and flexibility in responding to changing priorities, court procedures and business needs.
• Proactive, enthusiastic and self-motivated, with the ability to anticipate issues and opportunities.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Responsible, organised and reliable, with a strong work ethic.
• Good IT skills, including strong knowledge of Microsoft Word and working knowledge of Excel, together with the ability to learn specialist chambers management software.
• Minimum of seven years' clerking experience
• Professional appearance and presentation.

All applicants are requested to complete an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion form, available here.

For all enquiries please contact:

ABC Partnership - 0203 890 8190 – enquiries@abcllp.com

To apply for this role please email a comprehensive CV and covering letter to Sam Biggerstaff– sam@abcllp.com & Hudson – hudson@abcllp.com

All third-party applications will be forwarded to ABC Partnership Ltd.

ABC are committed to equality and to fostering diversity in our profession.

We will treat everyone equally and irrespective of their age, background, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Please advise us in advance of the interview if you have any access needs (including those arising from neurodiversity) and/or require reasonable adjustments for the interview so that we can make appropriate arrangements.