JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:Billing Clerk

REPORTS TO:Senior Clerk, Sheffield/Head of Finance

LOCATION:Sheffield base with occasional travel to other sites

JOB SUMMARY:

To undertake the efficient and accurate billing of, predominantly, Family Legal Aid, Family private and Civil cases with liaison across all sites (with a principal focus on the Sheffield site), providing cover for Criminal billing as required.

To deal with the associated administration and assisting with the pursuit/collection of outstanding fees, the provision of information in relation to the same delivering a high quality service to all contacts.

1.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1.1Family and Court Of Protection Billing Administration

  1. Efficient and accurate family billing in agreed areas with liaison/co-ordination across all sites, particularly Graduated Fees, Court of Protection Fees, maximising claim levels and turnaround times
  2. Submission of claims using the CCMS online billing system, CF1a Billing, dealing with subsequent queries, rejected claims and assisting with outstanding claims where required.
  3. Appealing assessments and incorrect decisions.
  4. Advising members of the most effective/efficient billing methods.
  5. Undertaking Barrister and/or solicitor reviews in relation to family cases including projects following merger and/or the introduction of New Members etc.
  6. Reviewing and working the family unbilled cases report, identifying and undertaking any work necessary to chase and bill the case wherever possible.
  7. Making telephone calls to solicitors/LAA/Courts to chase information/outstanding fees and handling incoming telephone enquiries from the same.
  8. Dealing with Solicitors/Costs Draftsmen requesting quotes on Family Legal Aid work.
  9. Assisting other members of the team in resolving payment/recoupment queries with the LAA.
  10. Noting incoming correspondence on cases and taking required action, i.e. composing and typing responses to queries raised, making telephone calls where required, etc.
  11. Dealing efficiently with enquiries from Members of Chambers.
  12. The provision of cover where required and to act as a point of reference/ training for more junior members of the team.
  13. Provide input, feedback and solutions relating to improvement/ developments in service and generally assist other team members, with a view to future development.

1.2Civil Fee Administration

1.Arranging the collection of Civil fees.

2.Negotiation of CFA uplifts

3.Negotiating the adjustment of civil fees.

4. Assisting with civil billing generally.

1.3Criminal Billing

The post holder will also be trained in carrying out criminal billing work and be expected to work in partnership with our other billing clerk in Sheffield to ensure there is billing cover across all practice areas.

1.4Additional Duties

  1. Assisting with Criminal Billing during absence of Criminal Billing Clerk and when needs arise.
  2. Acting as part of the wider team in Sheffield and across all sites to ensure service standards are adhered to for both barristers and clients.
  3. Undertaking such duties in addition to the principal duties listed as may reasonably be delegated by the Senior Clerk.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Standard / Essential/
Desireable
Qualifications, knowledge, experience / Good level of secondary education including Maths and English GCSE at grade C or above (or equivalent). / E
Knowledge of Court, LAA or other fee Schemes and Billing / D
Knowledge of Family Graduated Fees and CCMS / D
Knowledge of criminal fees/billing processes and protocols / D
Experience of working in a finance capacity such as Accounts Payable / Billing Clerk in a barristers chambers / E
Experience of working in the legal or similar professional services sector / D
Experience of using MS office packages: Word, Excel, Outlook / E
Skills & abilities / Good level of numeracy and ability to understand fee systems and changes and explain these to others. / E
Confident IT user (e.g. MS Office, web based payment systems) / E
Highly organized; able to manage own workload and meet deadlines / E
Strong attention to detail, with a systematic approach to work / E
Flexible /adaptable attitude – able to cope with changing priorities and willing to help others. / E
Smart appearance / E
Polite, approachable and confident manner – able to liaise effectively with colleagues in all sites, barristers, clients and other parties and represent Chambers professionally / E
Patient and diplomatic. / E
Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative / E
Strong team working skills / E