Bentley Attorneys, based in Mount Edgecombe, is seeking an experienced Debt Recovery Paralegal / Legal Secretary to join its Consumer Legal Department.
This position is suited to someone with practical experience in high-volume Magistrates’ Court debt recovery who can prepare legal processes accurately, manage assigned litigation queues systematically and ensure that matters progress to the next stage.
This is not a call-centre collections role or a purely typing position. The role requires disciplined file management, proactive follow-up, accurate system updates and the ability to identify and escalate matters that have become blocked or delayed.
Key Responsibilities
- Draft and prepare summonses, pleadings, notices and related Magistrates’ Court documents.
- Prepare requests and applications for default judgment.
- Prepare warrants of execution and Section 65 debt-enforcement processes.
- Prepare filing and lodgement correspondence to courts.
- Prepare instructions to sheriffs and correspondent attorneys.
- Follow up proactively with courts, sheriffs and correspondent attorneys until a clear result, return or action date is obtained.
- Monitor service, non-service returns, court queries, default judgment processes and enforcement steps.
- Maintain accurate LegalSuite stage codes, file notes, reminders and document records.
- Manage high volumes of debt collection matters using LegalSuite, Excel reports and system reminders.
- Ensure that deadlines, follow-up dates and next actions are properly recorded and completed.
- Identify stagnant matters, process failures and recurring delays, and escalate them to the supervising attorney with a concise summary and proposed next step.
- Work closely with the attorney and other support staff to meet departmental process-output and turnaround standards.
Experience and Minimum Requirements
- At least three years’ recent experience in debt recovery litigation or legal collections within a law firm.
- Practical experience in Magistrates’ Court litigation, from summons through judgment and enforcement.
- Proven ability to manage a high volume of legal matters, deadlines and external follow-ups.
- Working knowledge of Excel, including sorting, filtering, maintaining trackers and using basic formulas.
- Experience using LegalSuite is advantageous but not essential.
- A legal secretarial or paralegal qualification is advantageous, although relevant practical experience will carry significant weight.
Skills and Attributes
- Exceptional attention to detail and document accuracy.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing deadlines.
- Consistent follow-through and a disciplined approach to reminders and outstanding actions.
- Clear and professional written and verbal communication.
- The ability to identify problems, propose practical next steps and escalate appropriately.
- Confidence working under pressure in a high-volume environment.
- A responsible, accountable and team-oriented approach.
- Willingness to learn the firm’s systems, stage codes and operating procedures.
What Success in the Position Looks Like
- Legal documents are prepared accurately and within the required turnaround time.
- Court, sheriff and correspondent follow-ups produce results, action dates or timely escalations.
- LegalSuite and management reports accurately reflect the current position on each matter.
- Assigned matters progress rather than merely accumulating notes and reminders.
- Deadlines and follow-ups are controlled without matters being allowed to stagnate.
Application Requirements
Please email your CV to [email protected] using the subject line:
Application – Debt Recovery Paralegal / Legal Secretary
Your application must also briefly state:
- Approximately how many debt recovery or litigation matters you managed at one time in your most recent position.
- Which legal processes you personally drafted or prepared.
- Which legal practice-management systems and spreadsheet tools you have used.
- Your level of practical experience with summonses, default judgments, warrants of execution and Section 65 proceedings.
- Your current or most recent position and reason for leaving.
Applications that do not demonstrate practical debt recovery litigation experience may not be considered.
Job type: Full-time
Work location: In person, Mount Edgecombe
Work Location: In person
