Legal Administrator
Join our legal team as a proactive Legal Administrator — organised, client‑focused, and tech‑savvy. Manage files, deadlines, and docs with precision and integrity.
We are seeking a proactive and organised Legal Administrator to join our legal team and provide comprehensive administrative and case management support. The successful candidate will assist with legal document preparation, file management, diary and meeting coordination, client communications, and the maintenance of compliance and risk registers to ensure efficient and accurate legal operations across the organisation.
Key responsibilities – legal administrator duties and tasks
Provide first-line support to lawyers and managers, responding to queries on case status, procedures and routine legal requests professionally and within agreed timescales.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date case files and records, both electronic and paper, ensuring data integrity and compliance with UK data protection legislation (GDPR) and relevant professional standards.
Draft and format legal correspondence, standard letters, briefs and court documents under supervision, ensuring documents are accurate, properly referenced and filed.
Manage appointments and diaries for the legal team, coordinate meetings, hearings and court attendance, and arrange travel and accommodation where required.
Provide administrative support for transaction and matter workflows, including opening and closing matters, managing checklists, tracking case milestones and ensuring deadlines are met.
Support client intake and onboarding activities, conduct preliminary conflict checks, prepare engagement letters and assist with identification and right-to-work verification as applicable.
Liaise with internal stakeholders and external contacts such as barristers, courts, tribunals and other advisers to progress matters and obtain required information or documentation.
Process invoices, expenses and basic billing tasks in accordance with established procedures and liaise with finance for any billing queries.
Prepare routine reports and matter status updates for senior lawyers and management, and maintain registers for compliance, risk and key deadlines.
Support continuous improvement initiatives within the legal function by suggesting administrative efficiencies and contributing to policy and process updates.
Skills and experience required – legal administrator experience and qualifications
Previous experience in a legal support, legal administrator or paralegal assistant role within a busy office or law firm environment is desirable.
Working knowledge of legal administrative processes and familiarity with confidentiality requirements and GDPR.
Experience using case management systems or document management platforms and confident user of MS Office applications, particularly Word, Excel and Outlook.
Strong attention to detail, excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities with minimal supervision.
Good interpersonal and communication skills; able to build positive relationships with colleagues and external contacts and handle confidential information sensitively.
Ability to produce clear, professional written communications and accurate document templates.
A legal qualification or study towards a paralegal/legal administration qualification is advantageous but not required.
Personal attributes – legal administrator qualities
Customer-service oriented with a helpful, solution-focused approach and a calm manner under pressure.
Organised and methodical, with a commitment to accurate record keeping and process adherence.
Adaptable team player who can work independently when required and contribute positively to team objectives.
Resourceful and proactive, with a willingness to learn and develop legal administrative skills.
What we offer – benefits for legal administrator
Competitive salary and contributory pension scheme.
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata if applicable) and the option to buy or sell leave.
Hybrid working pattern with a mix of office and home working.
Employee assistance programme, private healthcare options and wellbeing initiatives.
Support for professional development, including training and assistance towards relevant legal/admin qualifications.
How to apply – legal administrator application process
Please submit your CV and a concise covering letter outlining your relevant legal administration experience and your availability. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and may be asked to complete a short skills exercise. Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK.
Equal opportunities and diversity – inclusive legal administrator role
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and will consider reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
- Department
- Legal
- Role
- Corporate Legal
- Locations
- Northwich
- Remote status
- Hybrid
About Dechra
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