Recoveries Officer

Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service.

We advise individuals, families, businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations on every aspect of the law, wherever the need arises. From our offices in London we work with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service.

Our clients present us with complex and varied challenges. Whether that's a complicated family trust issue, a multinational corporate transaction, or an emerging threat to their reputation, they need clear thinkers who can advise on the best solutions, fast thinkers when speed is of the essence and agile thinkers who can produce a fresh approach to get the job done. That's why they choose us.

Our clients value our in-depth knowledge, technical excellence and diversity of disciplines. But what really binds our long-standing relationships with them is our approach: pragmatic, plain speaking and always steadfast in our values, which we hold dear. Values which mean we gain our clients' trust, always strive to do the right thing, and aim for the best results for them.

Superb client service sits at the heart of everything we do. We are modern lawyers with timeless values.

• Supporting and reporting to the Recoveries Manager in dealing with the management and recovery of outstanding invoices owed to the firm by clients.
• Assisting in the analysis of case file histories.
• Collating client engagement materials (client care letters, Terms of Business, cost estimates and updates and relevant correspondence of potential issues where recovery might be challenging)
• Advising on debt recovery strategy options and merits.
• Dealing with clients directly on their debts, negotiating payment terms and monitoring compliance with schedules of payment and taking a flexible approach in each case.
• Researching using applications and websites (such as HMLR, Dun & Bradstreet, Companies House, Google etc) to learn of individual and company debtor’s financial and personal circumstances.
• Analysing assets and equity to support recovery potential for enforcement. 
• Reporting advice to Head of Risk & Compliance, Credit Control Supervisor and fee-earners.
• Preparing and sending letters before action, preparing claim form and statement of case, issuing Court proceedings and managing the conduct of those proceedings (including considering and advancing legal arguments) through to judgment.
• Progressing enforcement of judgments (domestic and overseas) and overseeing recovery efforts, as required.
• Liaising with Credit Control Supervisor to review aged client debt exposure, weighing up enforcement costs against collection prospects and decide escalation measures on specific levels of balances.
• Liaising with Head of Risk & Compliance and relevant fee-earners in the firm to maintain a consistent approach to client communication and debt recovery protocols.
• Communicating potential issues and shortfalls with SRA Code of Conduct in relation to provision of best possible information on costs and updates to clients (leading to settlements or write-offs of debt).
• Highlighting any possible complaint or professional negligence issues on client files and ensuring the firm’s complaints procedure has been followed before the debt recovery process can begin.
• Opening, maintaining and monitoring debt-related matters within the firm’s file management systems.
• Reporting to Credit Control Supervisor on debt recovery progress and updating records on the central database.
• Assisting Finance team with reviewing and adjusting allowances for bad and doubtful debts.
• Assisting Complaints Partner with costs-related complaints.
• Preparing and maintaining debt recovery precedent materials.
• Assisting Risk & Compliance team with the annual internal file review process.
• Liaising with fee-earners on early enquiries before the formal debt recovery stage begins and advising on foreseeable potential issues regarding payment and best approaches to take in communications with clients for early resolution.
• Providing other ad hoc and project-based support to the Risk & Compliance team on matters such as anti-money laundering controls, regulatory compliance and file closure activities.

• Legal Executive or Solicitor with 2-3 of relevant experience in this discipline is required.
• Relevant experience in a previous credit control or debt recovery role and in the legal sector is preferred.
• Relevant litigation experience in preparing claim forms and statements of case and progressing County Court and High Court litigation is preferred.
• Excellent written and communication skills are required.
• Flexible and adaptive approach to matters is required.
• Experience of working with and influencing fee earners to prioritise their debt management alongside other fee-earning work is preferred.
• Experience in using MS Office tools, particularly Excel, is essential.

• Proactive team player with an enthusiastic manner, approachable to those around him/her and an excellent role model to the rest of the team.
• Confident and able to work autonomously, prioritise tasks and deliver to deadlines both urgent and longer term.
• Organised and methodical.
• Thorough attention to detail, persistent and determined when needed.
• Able to deliver and stand by recommendations confidently.
• Creative non-linear thinker to explore lateral approaches to recover debts.
• Desire to achieve the best results for the firm given cost/benefit analysis
• Desire to seek continuous improvement in policies, processes and best practice across all departments in the firm.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to seek support when needed.
• Both full time (preferred) and part-time applications will be considered.

Farrer & Co is an equal opportunity employer who welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We look to employ the best candidates regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other protected characteristic.

We are keen to ensure candidates have the best interview experience possible, if you require any adjustments during the interview or application process please let the recruitment team know.

Farrer & Co conducts a pre-employment screening which consists of a Criminal History Background and Credit Check for successful candidates.

Farrer & Co conducts a pre-employment screening which consists of a Criminal History Background and Credit Check for successful candidates.