Elements and Performance Criteria
- Initiate preliminary file activities
- Arrange a meeting with legal officer to discuss new file, and to plan and prioritise preliminary work
- Obtain details of legal matter from client in accordance with organisational procedures
- Clarify matter with legal officer and client, and document agreed mutual expectations
- Prepare initial file documentation in accordance with organisational procedures
- Carry out conflict of interest test
- Carry out conflict of interest check in accordance with organisational and legal procedures
- Record on preliminary file notes, results of conflict of interest check and discuss and/or resolve any areas of potential conflict with legal officer
- Locate, access and extract relevant information for initiating files in accordance with organisational procedures
- Select and brief support staff to assist, in consultation with legal officer, as required
- Forward to client, on behalf of legal officer, confirmation of instructions, details of those working on the file, a summary of work to be performed and associated timelines, in accordance with organisational procedures
- Determine process and steps to facilitate running a file
- Plan work, assign staff and allocate resources to tasks in conjunction with legal officer
- Obtain, prepare and submit relevant background information and submit documents to legal officer for checking
- Conduct research to identify and review relevant legislation and cases
- Outline relevant legal requirements clearly to client and answer or refer questions to legal officer for follow-up
- Submit summary of future activities and preliminary work already performed to legal officer for sign-off and forward to client within agreed timelines
- Contact other persons about the file
- Facilitate file administration and closure