Carla Simmonds
St Athan,VGL
Summary
Experienced legal professional with focus on providing comprehensive support in legal research, documentation, and client communication. Capable of delivering precise and timely assistance by leveraging strong analytical skills and thorough understanding of legal procedures. Proven track record in streamlining case management and enhancing operational efficiency. I am motivated to continually improve and extend personal skills and knowledge to attain increased responsibility and opportunities for professional growth.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work history
Paralegal
Newlaw Solicitors
2022.09 - 2026.06
- Within my current role handle approximately 300 personal injury claims following road traffic accident. These are mixed claims, which include whiplash and non-whiplash injuries.
- I have children claims, in which following the negotiation process, I draft relevant documents in order to seek approval by Court or request judgement from the Court.
- I also deal with motorcycle accidents.
- I also actively progress claims forward but if they are unable to settle within the limitation period, I complete the require documents that allow us to ask the Court to extend this period for the claimant.
- The majority of the personal injury claims that I look after are over £5,000.00 in value and are either approaching limitation or are in limitation.
- I am able to draft the required documents to ask the Court for a Stay in proceedings, increase the current stay in proceedings (including a detailed witness statement as to why an extension is required) or to lift the Stay and request a Stage 3 hearing.
- I am also able to draft the documents that ask the Court to transfer a Claim to part 7 proceedings and to transfer a claim from OIC (Official Injury Claims) proceedings to part 8 proceedings.
- I mainly deal with claims where the other side have admitted liability and I actively seek the best resolution for the client.
- I have claims where we have been unable to settle the claim in negotiation and so we look to issue the claim at Court.
- I am a point of contact for the team, even those that look at claims where liability is not admitted, where they ask questions about medical evidence, losses and sometimes liability aspects of the claim.
- Ensured up-to-date knowledge of laws by attending continuous professional development courses.
- Collaborated with other paralegals for successful completion of complex cases.
- Prepared court filings, maintaining punctuality in submission deadlines.
- Prepared and filed legal documents with regulatory bodies and courts, maintaining compliance.
- Drafted and reviewed legal documents to support accurate and timely case preparation.
- Interviewed clients to gather relevant information for case assessment.
- Drafted and submitted legal documents to senior staff for review and approval.
- Updated client files in case management systems for accurate, current records.
- Managed client files with highest levels of confidentiality and discretion.
- Actioned client instructions to enable desired progress.
- Managed high volume client caseloads through planning and organisation.
Paralegal / Advanced Case Handler
Admiral Law
2016.04 - 2022.07
- I handled approximately 350 personal injury claims following a road traffic accident. These are mixed claims, as I am able to deal with children’s claims and non-whiplash injuries.
- I mainly deal with claims where the other side have admitted liability and I actively seek the best resolution for the client.
- I have claims where we have been unable to settle the claim in negotiation and so we look to issue the claim at Court.
- I also actively progress claims forward but if they are unable to settle within the limitation period, I complete the require documents that allow us to ask the Court to extend this period for the claimant.
- In my role, I have worked on claims where the value of the injury is above £25,000 and are more complex in nature.
- I have also had claims where I have investigated liability of the accident and then having to write up my findings for the manager to review.
- Prepared court filings, maintaining punctuality in submission deadlines.
- Drafted and reviewed legal documents for accuracy and completeness.
- Interviewed clients to gather relevant information for case assessment.
- Estimated values using approved formulas and outlined calculations.
Customer Assistant/ Section Co-ordinator
Marks and Spencer
2010.11 - 2016.04
- To organize my day and help to organize the team to make sure that daily tasks are achieved.
- Make sure that there is effective communication amongst all members of the team.
- To ensure that weekly tasks are achieved and sale targets are met.
- In my role of Section Co-ordinator, I had the opportunity to step in to the management team. This role meant that I had to organize my team and make sure that there is cover during all trading hours in order for tasks to be completed.
- Allocated resources to ensure smooth operations across all projects.
- Devised work schedules for optimal utilisation of manpower.
- Streamlined workflow for improved efficiency within the section.
- Facilitated coordination amongst staff, fostering a harmonious working environment.
- Ensured compliance with company policies at all times within the section.
- Liaised with other departments, promoting cross-functional collaboration and understanding.
- Delegated tasks and reacted to changing workloads to maintain efficient operations.
- Kept employee workloads fair and balanced to achieve objectives while maintaining high job satisfaction.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Managed inventory and receiving operations to maintain optimal stock levels and meet expected demands.
- Led by example delivering first-class customer care during till, making the orders and sales floor service.
Kitchen Assistant
Vale of Glamorgan Council
2005.04 - 2009.09
- My role was to provide a service to the residents of the elderly home in the evening.
- It was then my responsibility to make sure that the kitchen and dining room was clean and tidy ready for the next day.
Waitress / Kitchen Assistant
Off The Beaton Track Restaurant
2001.09 - 2005.02
- My role was to work within the team to make sure that every customer was provided with a quality of service that they expected.
- This service meant that customers would come back.
Work Experience
Conveyancing Direct
Cardiff
- This work experience allowed me to see the role that a case handler in a conveyancing firm has.
- I have completed files i.e. chased up any documents that are required, phone banks in relation to a mortgage.
- This experience has allowed me to see the software that is used and allowed me to gain valuable knowledge.
Work Experience
Cardiff Crown Court
Cardiff
- While here I was able to see how the court was run from the administration point of view.
- I then spent Tuesday to Friday working alongside a clerk of the court.
- This allowed me to sit in on a criminal case and see exactly how the proceedings take place, also the role that the clerk has in the case.
Legal Assistant/ Paralegal
Janet & Richard
- This experience allowed me to build up my legal experience while continuing to work full-time with Marks and Spencers, while looking for a role in a legal firm.
- This included the following:
- Preparing legal documents
- Research
- Word processing, filing and other general office tasks.
- Providing quotes to clients
- Interviewing clients and witnesses
- Giving clients legal information
- Going to court (Dependent on location)
- Handling a caseload of clients.
Education
LLB - Law
Glamorgan University
Cardiff07.2012
Skills
- Drafting pleadings
- Document drafting and revision
- Client confidentiality assurance
- Brief preparation
- Customer Service
- Case analysis
- Case Management
- Regulatory compliance
- Document preparation
- Witness statement drafting
- Understands confidentiality
Timeline
Paralegal
Newlaw Solicitors
2022.09 - 2026.06
Paralegal / Advanced Case Handler
Admiral Law
2016.04 - 2022.07
Customer Assistant/ Section Co-ordinator
Marks and Spencer
2010.11 - 2016.04
Kitchen Assistant
Vale of Glamorgan Council
2005.04 - 2009.09
Waitress / Kitchen Assistant
Off The Beaton Track Restaurant
2001.09 - 2005.02
Work Experience
Conveyancing Direct
Work Experience
Cardiff Crown Court
Legal Assistant/ Paralegal
Janet & Richard
LLB - Law
Glamorgan University