Legal Aid Billing Assistant

Clayton legal; Croydon; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job description

Position Summary:
A leading national legal firm is seeking a Legal Aid Billing Assistant to join its finance team in London.

The successful candidate will play a crucial role in ensuring the accurate and timely submission of legal aid bills for cases funded by the Legal Aid Agency (LAA).

This position requires close collaboration with solicitors, case handlers, and other members of the finance team to ensure compliance with legal aid regulations and the recovery of legal aid costs.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Billing Management: The Legal Aid Billing Assistant will be responsible for preparing and submitting legal aid bills, ensuring compliance with Legal Aid Agency (LAA) guidelines.
2. File Review: Reviewing case files and associated documentation to verify all necessary information is available for accurate billing.
3. Disbursement Tracking: Managing and monitoring legal aid disbursements, ensuring proper allocation and recovery of costs.
4. Billing Software Maintenance: Updating and maintaining accurate billing information within the firm's legal aid case management software (e.g., CCMS).
5. Client & Solicitor Communication: Liaising with clients and solicitors to gather any required documents or information to support legal aid claims.
6. Compliance Monitoring: Ensuring that all billing processes comply with the latest LAA policies and legal requirements.
7. Dispute Resolution: Assisting with resolving any discrepancies or disputes in billing, working with legal teams and finance staff as needed.
8. Reporting: Producing regular billing reports for internal management, highlighting progress and any outstanding claims.
9. Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate and detailed records of all billing activities to support auditing and reporting processes.

Qualifications & Experience:

1. Previous experience in legal billing, with a focus on legal aid billing, is highly desirable.
2. Strong understanding of Legal Aid Agency (LAA) rules and guidelines.
3. Familiarity with legal billing software (e.g., CCMS or similar) is preferred.
4. Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in reviewing files and preparing bills.
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
6. Ability to manage multiple deadlines and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
7. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.

Key Competencies:

1. Analytical Skills: Able to review complex case files and ensure all necessary information is captured accurately.
2. Detail-Oriented: Demonstrates a high level of accuracy in data entry, document review, and billing processes.
3. Problem Solving: Capable of identifying and resolving billing discrepancies or issues effectively.
4. Time Management: Skilled in managing workloads and meeting billing deadlines.
5. Team Player: Works well with colleagues across different teams, including legal and finance staff.