Week in the life of a Junior Paralegal at Pro Legal Solutions

Monday – Day in the Office: 

I start my day with my morning commute, walking along Liverpool’s waterfront to the Royal Liver Building. On arrival at the office, I make some tea and log on at 9:00 am, ready to start reviewing emails and Pro Legal’s shared New Claims inbox, before creating a to-do list for the day ahead. 

My morning tasks include reviewing newly received proceedings and opening two Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) claims on our case management system. This involves allocating the claims, diarising key litigation deadlines and notifying the relevant fee earners. 

Next, I draft correspondence to former company officers and directors identified through Companies House searches, seeking historical records and witness evidence that may assist with the defence of ongoing NIHL claims. These drafts are then sent to the supervising fee earner for approval. 

Now for lunch. I enjoy a break outside while the weather stays dry and enjoy a few chapters of my book. 

Back in the office, my afternoon is spent converting bills into LEDES format using spreadsheets, responding to emails, confirming instructions received, updating colleagues on progress and ensuring my fee-earning work was accurately recorded throughout the day, before I head home at 5:30pm.  

Tuesday – Day in the Office: 

It’s another 9:00am start for me, with tea, before I continue assisting with LEDES billing work. I have also received approval for the correspondence I drafted the previous day, so I complete a final proofread and arrange for the letters to be printed and posted. 

My other tasks for the day include reviewing the New Claims inbox and uploading PLF instruction forms to the relevant files for fee earners to consider. I have a social media brainstorming session with my team, as well as dealing with correspondence from claimant solicitors, brokers, insurers, claims handlers and colleagues on various matters, including limitation moratorium requests and case updates. 

Also on my list is working on a NIHL matter involving two defendants, reviewing the Particulars of Claim to prepare a draft of the initial report. I review and key dated court orders and notices, ensuring important deadlines were diarised and brought to the relevant fee earner’s attention. 

Before finishing for the day, I review my entries and ensure all chargeable work has been properly time recorded. 

Wednesday – Working from Home: 

I start work at 8:30am today, working through emails and Teams messages before completing the final batch of LEDES bill conversions. I also collate documentation for review by external costs advisors following a colleague’s request. 

Putting my previous week’s training to use, today’s work includes preparing disbursement-only bills and liaising with our Finance team regarding processing requirements.  

Next on my list is to continue preparing an initial report on a newly received claim, reviewing pleadings, medical evidence and other key documents to assess limitation, liability and medical causation issues.  

Back at the office after a lunchtime stroll into Liverpool ONE, I provide a claim update to an insurer after reviewing the file. I also research and contact audiology providers to arrange a repeat audiogram for a claimant in advance of a court deadline, discussing availability, costs and turnaround times. 

My day ends with updating files, recording my time, and scheduling emails to be sent the following morning. 

Thursday – Day in the Office: 

I’m back in the office today, and my first job of the morning is to complete an initial report and submit it to my supervisor for review. Next, I review responses from audiology providers, comparing availability and locations, before arranging a repeat audiogram with the most suitable supplier after discussing options with colleagues. Payment arrangements are then coordinated, and enquiries are made regarding the claimant’s availability through their solicitors. 

Before lunch, I review some newly served proceedings and open a variety of NIHL, abuse and mesothelioma claims, before allocating them to the appropriate file handlers. 

My afternoon’s tasks include drafting client care correspondence for brokers in relation to newly received claims. I’m also tasked with comparing a claimant’s medical records against HMRC employment records, looking for evidence relevant to allegations of hearing loss. 

Before heading home at 5:00pm, I review scanned post, including court orders and notices, I diarise compliance dates, update the relevant file handlers, and ensure all work undertaken has been recorded against the appropriate file.  

Friday – Working from Home: 

I begin my day reviewing and responding to emails, before turning to a NIHL matter involving two defendants. I review proceedings and draft an initial report together with separate Defences for the Second and Third Defendants, which I then submit to my supervisor for review. 

Once most of the draft work is complete, I take a break, returning after lunch to draft further witness enquiry letters to former directors and officers identified through Companies House research. I arrange for the correspondence to be issued. 

Having worked through outstanding tasks from both my own and my supervisor’s task lists, prioritising urgent actions, I update claim files and upload documents and key dated court notices received during the week. Next, I follow up arrangements for the repeat audiogram and chase the claimant’s solicitors regarding availability. 

Before logging off for the weekend, I work through my final tasks of the day, which include drafting Part 18 questions in a separate NIHL matter. Once complete, I carry out a final review of my time entries to ensure all fee-earning work has been accurately recorded, clear any outstanding emails and prepare for the following week.