Newfields
12 February 2023

Vacancy: Legal Assistant (Sport)

Newfields Law has an opportunity for a Legal Assistant to join the firm’s specialist sport immigration team.

Location: based in Cardiff and Bristol

Application deadline: 1st March 2023

Overall objective

To assist and provide a range of administrative support to clients, fee earners and other legal professionals.

Key responsibilities

  • To support and represent the firm and its team, acting professionally at all times.
  • Using initiative and excellent organisation skills (time management and prioritisation) in assuming responsibility for an agreed task list.
  • To participate in supervision sessions in respect of your tasks as and when reasonably required.
  • To carry out effectively and efficiently any administrative tasks, as shall be reasonably requested, including but not limited to:
  • preparing clear and accurate fee and disbursement information for advisors.
  • Gathering from clients/intermediaries information and appropriate documentation/correspondence and tailoring basic template documents where appropriate, to prepare and complete (but not to submit, unless supervised) UKVI applications and any subsequent visa centre process (appointment bookings and document uploads), ensuring a time-sensitive and professional approach that encompasses accuracy and attention to detail at all times to secure the client’s best interests.
  • Communicating verbally and in writing with the client in a concise but professional manner, responding promptly, clearly and calmly to any correspondence, and where possible taking proactive measures to ensure the client is kept up to date (including visa appointment reminders).
  • Contacting third parties (including UKVI, visa centres and agents) to clarify and/or update matter information, and to progress applications, reporting back to advisors and/or clients where appropriate.
  • Carrying out various Sponsorship Management System updates, including diarising and carrying out the renewal of Sponsor Licences and Certificates of Sponsorship, arranging Level 1 user for fee earners at Newfields, and visa expiry information.
  • Taking appropriate steps to enable applicants to meet the English language requirements of their visa applications (booking tests and liaising with applicants regarding the test location and date)
  • Updating outlook calendars and liaising with clients to schedule calls and meetings.
  • Ensuring the firm’s electronic files (including WIP) are maintained and promptly updated, and that documents are saved and organised in an orderly manner and in accordance with firm procedures (undertaking any photocopying and scanning of documents as appropriate).
  • Regularly reviewing and maintaining matter-related spreadsheets, identifying actions that appear in these records could be undertaken daily to assist with the progression of any one case.
  • Assisting the firm’s legal secretary with key tasks, including but not limited to:
    • Sending out initial emails and closing emails to clients and applicants
    • Scanning documents and BRPs, contacting clients and arranging delivery of documents, including BRPs, via Royal Mail and courier
    • Diarising key expiry dates
    • Providing basic annual leave and/or sickness absence cover
  • To attend and participate in, meetings and telephone calls, taking and saving accurate attendance notes as and when reasonably required.
  • To assist with promoting the firm in accordance with its business development (“BD”) strategy.

Specific responsibilities, based in Cardiff and Bristol, and to be supervised by a Paralegal:

  • Advising on the requirements and documentation required for Schengen visas and other overseas visas; and coordinate the visa process liaising, where appropriate, with the firm’s agent.
  • Preparing fee quotes and confirm acceptance.
  • Assisting the firm’s legal secretary with preparing and sending out appropriate compliance documents and where necessary ensuring that all compliance has been acknowledged by Applicants and required documentation has been returned.
  • Communicating verbally and in writing with applicant’s to collect their personal information to enable the completion of a visa application.
  • Gathering and saving supporting documents, with appropriate headings.
  • Drafting UKVI applications and tailoring template documents for specific applicants in line with the relevant Immigration Rules.
  • Liaising with the client to book visa appointments.
  • Uploading supporting documents to the visa centre portal.
  • Scanning BRPs following approval of an application.
  • Diarising key dates, including the expiry dates of BRPs; and Sponsor licence and CoS renewals.
  • Requesting new CoS allocations.
  • Undertaking research tasks for fee earners, which may include but not limited to: researching individual immigration queries, and investigating wider areas related to the firm’s BD strategy. 

Person specification – experience & attributes required

  • Personable, but professional, with an empathy for, and understanding of, the problems faced by our clients
  • Excellent organisation and administrative skills, with an ability to manage and to prioritise tasks efficiently and competently, and to work under pressure/to deadlines
  • An ability to work both within a team and on your own initiative, accompanied by a spirit of co-operation and a positive ‘can do’ attitude.
  • Accuracy and excellent attention to detail
  • Excellent English skills (verbal and written, supported by excellent spelling and grammar)
  • Business acumen and the ability/appetite to promote and market the firm.
  • An acceptance of the need to work outside normal office hours as and when required.
  • An understanding in all Microsoft office packages.

Apply now

Application deadline: 1st March 2023

To apply, please send your CV, with a covering letter, via email to: info@newfieldslaw.com

Testimonials

Tania Hoffman

Head Coach, Celtic Dragons

“Glyn and Newfields make the visa process seamless each season; from the moment we inform them of the signing of our import players to the day they arrive in the UK. Glyn has always given sound advice and I would recommend Newfields Law wholeheartedly”

Ayaka Suzuki

Professional and international rugby player

“Newfields has supported me in the challenge of playing rugby in England. Despite facing difficulties due to the pandemic, Glyn has handled the matter promptly and professionally. With that great support, I am looking forward to a great start in the UK”

Eloise Sohier

Presenter

“My experience with Newfields and Glyn was second to none! All of our correspondence was via email in which Glyn would reply within hours if I had any questions or concerns. I was very impressed with Glyn and would have no hesitation in using his services again.”

Sean Maitland

International and professional rugby player

“Very professional and makes life a lot easier, amazing to work with”

Brad Barritt

English Premiership and England National Rugby Union player

“Glyn provided a fantastic service to my family and I, they were professional, extremely helpful and very efficient, and were always on hand for friendly advice.”

Matías Alemanno

Argentinian National Rugby Union Player

“They are really an excellent team of professionals, all the staff always willing and with good energy to help you and try to solve any problem. Highly recommended.”

Don Armand

Professional and England International Rugby Player (Retired)

“We cannot describe how impressed we are with the work Glyn did for us. Countless emails back and forth to ensure that we had all the right documents in place. His detail was very thorough and knowledge of the goings on was very impressive. He was on call for any questions we may have had and this went a long way in stressful times when we needed just that extra bit of information. We are very pleased with the service we received and would highly recommend Glyn to anyone who needs his services”

Rugby Football League

“The RFL have worked with Newfields on a wide range of immigration issues and have found that they have an excellent understanding of many immigration matters. Glyn is always available for both the governing body and the clubs to answer the most straightforward or complex query; his attitude and work ethic are outstanding.”

Rugby Football Union

“Glyn has been instrumental in advising the England Rugby Football Union as well as many clubs on a wide range of immigration matters, and is always on hand to steer us in the right direction. He and his colleagues always respond promptly, efficiently and often with very little notice, which is essential in the fast moving environment within which we work.”

Hadleigh Parkes

Welsh International Rugby Union player

“Newfields provided a seamless service – from preparing all the paperwork and personally attending the Home Office with me, through to returning all of my documents in person. Very approachable, reassuring and quick to answer queries – a great service for international athletes.”

Eddie Jones

Coach

“Newfields did an exceptional job in helping us with our immigration requirements - very professional and personal with a minimum of fuss. I recommend their practice very highly”

Francois Louw

English Premiership Rugby Union player

“Outstanding and efficient service for my family and I”

Jamie Roberts

International and professional rugby player

“Perhaps one of the most stressful things about moving abroad is all the admin around the visa application procedure. I was very fortunate that before and during my time in South Africa I had Glyn on hand to help with my application. He was extremely helpful and very professional, which certainly helped alleviate quite a lot of my stress! I would definitely recommend Glyn to anyone looking for assistance with their Visa application Abroad.”

John Mitchell

Coach

“We have had nothing short of exceptional service from Glyn and his team at Newfields. Their attention to detail for our visas was beyond anything that we had anticipated with every step of the process being made as simple as possible for us - even to the point where Glyn went out of his way after hours to meet me to receive my BRP. We couldn't have asked for a better service and have recommended Glyn to numerous other South Africans engaging in the visa process”

Bryan Habana

Rugby Union player

“The efficiency, professionalism and swiftness with which Glyn handled the situation I presented him with (at very short notice) was absolutely outstanding. I will definitely be using his services in future.”

Jo Trip

Netballer, Saracens Mavericks

“I have used Newfields for numerous visa applications, and I am so grateful to Glyn and his team for their commitment and hard work to make sure each application was seamless. Glyn personally went above and beyond; efficiently communicating what was required, and taking the time to walk me through the process, making sure I understood each step. He made a very overwhelming application process a lot easier and a lot less stress!”

Federico Fernández

Premier League football player

“Glyn was always available when needed and made our applications, which were time sensitive and very daunting at first, less stressful and more straightforward. Highly recommended.”

Wilfried Bony

Professional Footballer

“The service provided by Newfields Law is very professional, they are responsive and friendly. I particularly appreciated how speedily Glyn and Chloe dealt with everything. Thank you again!”

Gareth Anscombe

Welsh National Rugby Union player

“With the help of Glyn, our visa applications that at first were a challenging and daunting prospect, were made straightforward and were done in a very efficient manner. I would definitely use Glyn and his team's services again.”

Gia Abernethy

Netballer

“Glyn and his team at Newfields have helped immensely through my visa application process. The ability Glyn has to explain procedures in terminology that makes the entire process less overwhelming and daunting was a huge help. I'll always be grateful for the assistance Glyn provided and the efficient communication he and his team provided.”

Admiral Insurance

“With Admiral Insurance being a global brand with offices all over the world we have a lot of visa and immigration queries. We have used Newfields for a number of years now and I have found every interaction with them to be a very positive and helpful experience. The customer service they provide is second to none and I know I can always count on their fantastic service and advice.”

Martin Bakole

Professional Boxer

“Glyn and his team worked tirelessly with Billy Nelson, the Boxing Board of Control and Home Office Policy teams to secure a sponsorship arrangement and set of visas for myself and my family, whilst accommodating my overseas boxing commitments. 10/10 for service and getting the result we needed!”

Mike Ruddock OBE

Development Director, Ospreys

“Glyn and his team at Newfields have been Instrumental in advising on a range of immigration matters. As part of my talent ID role at the Ospreys I recruit on a global basis. Glyn is always on hand to advise and guide me through each step of the process with a great deal of calmness and professionalism. Glyn and his team are experts in their field and their knowledge on all immigration matters is incredibly impressive. Glyn and his team are hugely supportive, friendly, responsive and professional. I would have no hesitation in recommending Newfields. ”

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