Debt Recovery Paralegal / Legal Secretary

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 preshika@bentleylaw.co.za 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