Claims Handler

Make a Real Impact

Bevan Brittan is a leading commercial law firm. Alongside our recognised expertise in housing, local government, and health and social care, we are specialists in the construction, energy and resource management, higher education and financial services sectors.

Supported by our valued business services professionals, our award-winning and growing legal teams provide almost 2,000 organisations with commercial, corporate, property, finance, regulatory, employment and litigation (commercial and clinical negligence) legal and advisory services.

As a responsible business, we embrace four values: Relationships, Reputation, Responsible and Results. These give us a sense of purpose. They influence the decisions we make and how we work with each other. Importantly, they motivate us to deliver meaningful outcomes for our clients and the communities that we're part of.

Consistently recognised as one of The Times Best Law Firms and highly ranked across the legal directories, we are proud of our hard-earned reputation. Our 2023/24 financial results confirmed both revenue and profit growth for an eleventh consecutive year, ensuring our ability to continue investing in our people.

Looking to the future, we're targeting ambitious growth and success. And we're looking for the best people to be part of it.

Join a team of experts and progressive thinkers

We have an exciting opportunity for a Claims Handler to join Bevan Brittan's growing Risk & Best Practice (R&BP) team, supporting the Director of Risk in the delivery of a professional and first class risk and regulatory service to the firm.

The team is responsible for operating, maintaining and monitoring the firm's Management System (ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and ISO 14001), ensuring firm-wide compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and promoting best practice within the firm and by third parties working with the firm.

Current R&BP team members include:

• Director of Risk: A board member and head of the R&BP team, has overall responsibility for Best Practice, Information Security and Environmental Management at strategic level. Provides oversight across the firm's risk and compliance activities, ensuring effective management of regulatory, operational and reputational risk
• Head of Risk: Supporting the Director of Risk in leading and overseeing the firm's risk and compliance framework, and acts as a trusted adviser to partners and senior leadership, providing pragmatic guidance on complex risk, compliance and governance matters.
• R&BP Lawyers: Provides a front-line risk and regulatory advice service to the firm and its management on claims, circumstances, complaints (client and third-party), in addition to ethical and legal guidance.
• Senior Information Security Manager: Oversees the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the firm's Management System (ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 14001 and Cyber Essentials Plus), plus the firm's Cyber Security and Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery (BC/DR) improvement programmes.
• Client Matter Inception Manager: Oversees the onboarding of new clients, including compliance with our obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations.
• AML Analysts: Supports fee earners with the onboarding of new clients, including compliance with our obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations.
• Internal Audit Officer: Supports the firm with internal audits, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement of our processes.
• R&BP Assistants: Provides administrative support to the R&BP team, including the logging of information security and data protection incidents, and assisting the R&BP Lawyers and the Senior Information Security Manager with the management of the firm's internal and external audit programmes.

The role

The Claims Handler is responsible for effective management of professional negligence claims and circumstances and third-party complaints. The role involves investigating matters, liaising with insurers, brokers, partners, and fee earners, and supporting the firm's risk management and claims strategy. The Claims Handler will help minimise financial and reputational risk while ensuring claims are handled efficiently and professionally.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities will include

• Claims management
  • Managing a portfolio of professional negligence claims and potential claims from initial notification through to resolution.
  • Conducting an initial investigation of allegations made against the firm.
  • Advising fee-earners and partners on reporting obligations.
  • Managing notifications of claims and circumstances to insurers and brokers within required timescales, escalating to the R&BP lawyers as required.
  • Maintaining accurate and up to date claims records.
  • Monitoring claims progress and ensuring compliance with policy conditions and reporting requirements.
  • Supporting the negotiation and settlement of claims where appropriate.
• Third-party complaints
  • Reviewing and assessing third-party complaints to identify potential claims exposure.
  • Managing notifications of third-party complaints to insurers and brokers within required timescales.
  • Assisting in the development of appropriate responses to third-party complaints, escalating to the R&BP lawyers as required.
  • Appointing an Investigating Partner and liaising with them in responding to complaints.
• Renewals
  • Assisting in the annual renewal process of the firm's professional indemnity and other insurance products, by providing claims data and analysis.
• Risk management
  • Identifying trends, recurring issues and root causes arising from claims and third-party complaints.
  • Assisting in the preparation of claims and risk reports for internal circulation and Board meetings.
  • Contributing to the firm's risk management framework and continuous improvement initiatives.

What we are looking for from you

The ideal candidate will be an experienced senior paralegal or claims handler with a strong track record of handling professional indemnity claims and third-party complaints against law firms. Previous experience of working within a law firm, insurer, broker, or legal services environment is desirable.

Skills and experience

Essential

• Experience handling professional negligence, insurance, liability, or legal claims.
• Strong investigation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to analyse legal and factual issues and present clear recommendations.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple matters and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable

• Previous experience within a law firm, insurer, broker, or legal services environment.
• Understanding of professional indemnity insurance and claims processes.
• Knowledge of solicitors' professional negligence and risk management principles.
• Familiarity with law firm ethical principles including on client care, complaints, and conflicts.
• Relevant legal, insurance, or claims handling qualification.

Personal Attributes

• Strong attention to detail.
• Sound judgement and commercial awareness.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with others in order to meet the Risk & Best Practice team's objectives.
• Professional and diplomatic approach when dealing with sensitive matters.
• Resilient and able to perform effectively under pressure.
• Proactive, self-motivated and flexible approach.
• Commitment to confidentiality and high ethical standards.
• In dealings with external third parties, being an effective ambassador and advocate for the firm, its culture and values.

Work with approachable people

When we ask colleagues what makes Bevan Brittan a great place to work, the most popular thing they say is "the people". The overwhelming consensus is that we make time for each other. We welcome questions and support each other. Naturally, we look for new colleagues who align with our values.

Supported to be your best

Hybrid working

We operate a hybrid working model based on the needs of our clients, teams and people. Our core business hours are 9am - 5:15pm Monday to Friday, but we're open to our people working more flexibly around those times and welcome a conversation with you if you have any questions about this. We try to offer you the flexibility to work your week in a way that suits you.

Learning, Development & Progression

We're committed to supporting your professional and personal development needs.This means that we offer a range of tailored training courses and you will have lots of opportunity to learn from those around you. We actively encourage progression and this is reflected in our annual review and promotion processes. You will be supported by your line manager to achieve your full potential.

Wellbeing

As a Bevan Brittan employee, you'll have access to a variety of services that support your wellbeing. We've pledged our commitment to The Mindful Business Charter and lots of our people contribute to our Wellbeing Responsible Business strand, which organises an annual calendar of wellbeing events and initiatives.

Benefits

• A minimum of 25 days holiday (plus the option to buy up to an additional 5 days)
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Generous pension scheme
• Private medical insurance through Vitality
• Biennial private health assessment through Nuffield Health
• Life assurance
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme

Embracing our differences and valuing inclusion

Our shared aim is that everyone is welcome and can feel comfortable being themselves at Bevan Brittan. To support this, we actively value and promote equality, diversity and inclusion in everything that we do. You'll be empowered and supported through our employee led networks, diverse colleagues, and a broad range of firmwide initiatives.

Recognising the unique contributions that a diverse workforce can bring to our business, we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We take great pride in being a Disability Confident Employer. If you need any adjustments throughout the recruitment process or have any questions, please get in touch with our recruitment team by emailing recruitment@bevanbrittan.com

Acting responsibly, now and for the future

To us, being a responsible business is second nature; a core part of Bevan Brittan's identity. Our colleagues are heavily involved in shaping and delivering activity across the four pillars of our Responsible Business strategy : Community Engagement; Environmental Sustainability; Equality, Diversity & Inclusion; and Wellbeing.

Our people deliver pro bono legal work for charities and not-for-profit organisations. We play an active role in our local communities and donated £100,000 across our four regional office charities last year. We are also proudly carbon neutral. We've achieved the UN's Climate Neutral Now accreditation and our environmental sustainability plan focuses on achieving our net zero carbon target by 2040.

Collectively, the four pillars ensure we look after our colleagues' wellbeing; offer an environment in which everyone can progress on merit, give something back to the communities in which we work; and protect the environment.