We have a fantastic opportunity for a Legal File Reviewer to join our Compliance/Risk Management Department.
Reports to: Supervision Partner
Role Purpose
The Legal File Reviewer is responsible for conducting systematic reviews of client files across the firm's Litigation, Family, Wills & Probate, Commercial Property, and Corporate Law departments. The purpose of the role is to ensure that files meet regulatory, professional, and internal compliance standards, with a particular focus on legal accuracy, risk management, procedural adherence, and best practice.
This role plays a critical part in upholding the firm’s quality assurance framework, mitigating risk, and ensuring that client matters are handled in accordance with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.
Key Responsibilities
1. File Auditing & Compliance Review
- Conduct scheduled and ad hoc reviews of live and closed files across the specified legal departments.
- Ensure adherence to regulatory obligations, including SRA Regulations, Lexcel, and other relevant frameworks.
- Identify and escalate issues relating to risk, client care, and procedural non-compliance.
- Check that advice provided is legally sound and supported by appropriate documentation.
- Ensure proper engagement and retainer documentation is in place and that client due diligence (AML/KYC) has been properly conducted.
- Review compliance with court deadlines, limitation periods, and procedural rules relevant to each practice area.
2. Risk & Quality Control
- Identify and report on trends in common errors, compliance risks, or recurring issues across departments.
- Monitor and report on adherence to internal file management standards, including record-keeping, billing, and supervision.
- Ensure proper risk assessments have been conducted and recorded for each matter.
- Support the firm’s risk management framework by providing insight into emerging risks and recommending mitigations.
3. Legal & Technical Review
- Assess the accuracy and quality of legal advice provided within files.
- Ensure legal research and precedent usage are appropriate and correctly applied.
- Identify instances where legal drafting or documentation may require improvement.
- Assess the coherency of the approach to the transaction or case and identify improvements.
- Provide constructive feedback to fee earners on areas requiring attention.
4. Training & Continuous Improvement
- Collaborate with department heads and the Supervision Partner to provide feedback and recommendations for training or procedural enhancements.
- Contribute to internal training initiatives by identifying areas where legal teams would benefit from additional guidance.
- Assist in developing and refining internal best practice guidelines for file management and compliance.
Key Competencies & Skills
- Strong understanding of SRA Code of Conduct, AML regulations, and relevant compliance frameworks.
- Expertise in two or more of the following areas: Litigation, Family, Wills & Probate, Commercial Property, and Corporate Law.
- Excellent attention to detail and analytical skills.
- Ability to assess legal work critically and identify risk areas.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide constructive feedback.
- Organised and methodical approach to work.
- Ability to work collaboratively with fee earners, support teams, and compliance personnel.
Experience & Qualifications
- Qualified solicitor or legal executive or alternative with substantial experience in private practice.
- Previous experience in compliance, risk management, or legal auditing is desirable.
- In-depth knowledge of UK legal practice, with a focus on the specified practice areas.
- Experience working in a Lexcel-accredited or SRA-regulated environment preferred.
Reporting & Escalation
- The Legal File Reviewer will report directly to the Supervision Partner.
- Significant findings, trends, or concerns should be escalated to the relevant department heads Supervision Partner for remedial action.
Excellent Salary and Benefits
If you're ready to take the next step in your conveyancing career with an award-winning, highly regarded firm, we’d love to hear from you!
Apply now by sending your CV and a cover letter to Rachael Andrews in our HR Department, randrews@martintolhurst.co.uk.
