Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate

• Job Role: Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate

Salary Range: £45k - £60k per year

Overview: We are currently recruiting on behalf of a local Law Firm located in the heart of Birkenhead, This is a Leadership role, responsible for managing a team of Wills, Trusts and Probate Staff, Ensuring efficient and effective service delivery, and maintaining compliance with the firm's polices and procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership to the Wills, Trusts and Probate team, Ensuring organized, client-focused, cost-effective and efficient service delivery
• Recruit, select, train, develop, motivate and manage Wills, Trusts and Probate staff to empower them to deliver their accountabilities and achieve their full potential
• Implement and uphold all the firm's policies and procedures, displaying the knowledge, skills and behaviors required by the firm
• Delivery effective supervision of the best practice and full implementation of case management standards across the Wills, Trusts and Probate team through day-to-day support of staff
• Manage a personal part caseload of high net worth and complex administrations, providing advice regarding Wills, Trusts and Probate to union clients via the free legal advice service.

Performance Management:

• To be responsible for the professional standard of work done by the Wills, Trusts and Probate team and to be measured via regular monthly and other file reviews
• · To be responsible for case supervision of all Wills, Trusts and Probate fee earners in the performance of their case work by monthly file reviews, by day-to-day supervision, discussion and problem resolution in accordance with SRA and Lexcel standards.
• To provide supervision, advice, and guidance on technical and professional matters to the members of the Wills, Trusts and Probate team.
• To be responsible for devising, implementing and delivering a structured and ongoing training programme to ensure that all fee earners and support staff have best practice standard knowledge of relevant law and practice.
• To create and maintain a source of best practice template letters and documents, and their continued implementation within the case management system.
• To provide appropriate input and guidance to ensure the firm retains Lexcel accreditation.
• To conduct appraisals and setting objectives and targets for Wills, Trusts and Probate team

Risk and Compliance:

• To manage and maintain the High Risk Register in respect of Wills, Trusts and Probate matters
• To be responsible for the supervision of Wills, Trusts and Probate staff in the application of anti-money laundering, source of funds and other due diligence requirements, and to authorise matters to proceed including particularly (but not limited to) property transactions, and to refer to the MD in appropriate circumstances.
• To be responsible for the investigation and review of allegations of professional negligence, and to report to the MD in respect of the same to plan a strategy for response
• To investigate and report potential data protection breaches under the GDPR or similar legislation
• To be responsible for ensuring the department members work with systems and procedures that are Lexcel, and Proclaim compliant, including producing and regularly reviewing templates and precedent documents
• To assist the Finance Manager in ensuring compliance with all VAT and Tax matters, and Accounts Rules relating to Wills, Trusts and Probate transactions

Essential Requirements:

• At least 7 years of experience in Wills, Trusts and Probate work
• Admitted solicitor or legal executive or equivalent
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good numerical and file management skills
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Work & Outlook

Desirable Requirements:

• Working with electronic case management systems
• Working with Trade unions
• STEP qualified