Risk and Compliance Manager

Our client, a barristers' chambers, operating in the civil law arena is seeking a Risk and Compliance Manager to join them on a full-time basis in a newly created role for chambers.

Applications are sought from, ideally, a qualified lawyer or someone with considerable experience of working in compliance in the legal sector to work within a framework of regulatory compliance.

Job purpose:

To assist Chambers management team with regulatory compliance, analyses, advice, project work and other ad hoc responsibilities as required.

To work across Chambers to ensure full compliance with all relevant regulatory/legal requirements placed upon Chambers and to promote full compliance of barrister members in meeting their individual professional responsibilities under all relevant regulatory/legal requirements in each case including but not limited to the BSB core duties and the mandatory supplementary rules contained in the BSB Handbook; the Bar Qualification Manual, the BSB Equality Rules; general Equality & Diversity legislation and best practice, GDPR, Anti-Money Laundering, Tax evasion, modern slavery, bribery, and fraud prevention.

Direct report: Chambers Director

Key responsibilities:

* To provide senior regulatory and best practice support to Chambers, barrister members and staff in relation to risk and compliance matters

* To develop and, once approved by management and/or as appropriate the Chambers Committee, implement a risk management strategy

* To monitor relevant legal/regulatory developments and assist with drafting and reviewing policies and procedures to maintain compliance

* Conduct periodic review of complaints and complaints management information, preparing and presenting management reports regarding claims and complaints provision of regular claims management information to the senior management team.

* To create update and maintain a chambers compliance manual and risk blog for internal information including development of concise, user-friendly risk management procedures, policies, and precedents,

* To maintain a full breach reporting and complaints register

* To design and assist in delivering Chambers wide compliance and risk training programmes for staff, pupils, and barristers.

* Oversee compliance for the practising certificate and insurance renewal processes, which are carried out by others

* To work with IT and other management staff (senior clerks, finance, marketing, and HR) to mitigate operational risks and to assist staff with day-to-day elements of their role, such as data breach handling, data subject access requests, SAR handling, maintenance of Chambers’ Anti Money Laundering

* To enable feedback and recommendations for possible improvement, assisting with provision of direct training if a need is identified

* To support management of complaints and professional indemnity claims with the management team and affected individual barristers. Liaison with complainants, colleagues, and external parties; BSB, Legal Ombudsman, Information Commissioner, etc.

This role may require assistance for others or work additional tasks in line with the overall responsibilities of the risk management function.

Skills & experience:

* Ideally a qualified lawyer, or someone with extensive experience in compliance and risk management

* Knowledge of operational compliance associated with claims and complaints, a working knowledge of the BSB Handbook (desirable), GDPR, AML and other relevant regulatory frameworks and legislation

* Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in an environment where quality output is paramount

* Strong attention to detail and a proven ability to handle confidential information in a professional and discrete manner

* Technical ability to identify, analyse and evaluate regulatory and legislative changes

This is an exciting role which offers variety and an excellent working environment working within the wider team