Jessica Bavidge

Following my administration role, I was promoted to Legal Secretary after initially being offered the role after my probation period in 2023. I decided it would be great opportunity to develop my skills in a new and challenging role. I trained multiple people during my time at Martin Tolhurst whilst gaining knowledge in my own new role.

• Improved client relationships with professional communication skills.
• Drafted and issued contracts, transfers and TA13's in a timely manner.
• Accurately transcribed dictations, maximising accuracy in documentation processes.
• Met practice, firm and legal standards for compliant case management.
• Prioritised activities to meet changing case demands and achieve deadlines.
• Exchange and completions for sale and purchase files
• Using systems such as- Oyez, Proclaim, LMS, Lender Exchange, SmartSearch, Bankline, Excel and Word
• Setting up chits for completions and sending money to third parties.
• Giving updates to agents, clients and solicitors in the chain and contacting lenders.

This role was initially based in Medway City Estate but relocated in June 2023. this relocation meant that several offices specialising in multiple legal departments were combined, this meant having to take on an increase of responsibility and having to adapt quickly to different department’s needs.

Duties included but were not limited to:

• Booking meetings
• Opening, scheduling and closing files
• Producing estimates based on client’s sale/purchase requirements
• Greeting/taking copies and certifying ID and legal documents
• Answering phone calls, forwarding them to the relevant person and sending on enquiries to various departments
• Opening, allocating and franking post
• AMLS, bankruptcy and property searches and obtaining official copy documents via Land Registry
• Maintaining standards on reception and ensuring the building was locked at appropriate times during office hours to maintain high levels of security and ensure confidentiality.

This role provided me with a greater knowledge of customer relations, dealing with difficult circumstances and prioritising actions in order to amplify efficiency and guest satisfaction, as a team and independently.

• Performed bar closing duties, thoroughly cleaning, sanitising, changing beer kegs safely and stock take to prevent shortages of critical items to ensure availability.

• Engaged with guests to create positive rapport, encouraging loyalty and repeat visits.

• Followed safe serving requirements, monitoring guest behaviour and

discontinuing service to inebriated customers, refusing service without appropriate proof of age.

• Preparing various drinks within target service timeframes.

• Maintained knowledge of drinks promotions, pricing and menu changes, offering customers up-to-date, reliable advice.

• Handled cash transactions to ensure accurate accounting.

This was a temporary part-time position during Covid-19 to assist a family member whilst they were working from home. Duties Involved:

• Reconciled supplier accounts, investigating and resolving unknown or missing transactions via email.

• Processed purchase invoices received from suppliers, coding to the

correct P&L account and inputting to the accounting software, ensuring complete accuracy.

• Input data into spreadsheets, and matching invoices efficiently.

This was a very busy position with wide and varied responsibilities. I was required to work in Dorothy Perkins main store as well as working at the Arcadia Group concession's within Debenham's, this included Dorothy Perkins and during busy periods Miss Selfridge and Burtons. This role involved working with little supervision, enabling me to gain confidence and independent working.

• Preparing stock for shop floor and assisting with stock take

• Maintaining high floor standards whilst Supervising fitting rooms

• Serving customer’s and till work

• Receiving/logging deliveries and returns