Secretary Iii

**Duties and responsibilities**
- Dealing with patent and design preparation, filing and prosecution
- Dealing with Patent Court, High Court (Designs) and Appeal Court matters
- Collating (and copying) of annexure for affidavits/other documents
- Finalising affidavits and pleadings for signature
- Arranging for and attending to signing of documents
- Preparation of basic forms for filing with Registrar
- Drawing of revenue stamps
- Arranging for services on High Court and Registrar of the Patents Court
- Assisting with preparing of litigation papers as well as paginating and indexing of such papers
- Filing in files and on worksite and maintaining court, counsel and own records
- Writing of routine letters to clients/Registrar (restorations of patents)
- Typing/editing of documents/faxes/letters for partner, as well as for PA’s and CA’s allocated to partner (dictation and copy typing)
- Typing of correspondence and claims
- Typing and sending of claim vettings
- Assisting with preparing and filing of amendments (when required)
- Billing files, including preparing full billing data and costing (and notation) of files
- Attending to credit Notes and dealing with account queries
- Requisition cheques /electronic transfers for payment of agents/service providers/etc
- Arranging for deposit of cheques (payments) into agents’ bank accounts
- Following up on overdue payments from clients
- Clearing of suspense list on an ongoing basis
- Opening new files on Litigation computer system
- Large volumes of dictation work
- Answering telephone and screening calls
- Liaising with clients telephonically and in person
- Liaise with clients/agents from time to time to set up consultations
- Arranging venue/s for consultations
- Photocopying of various documents
- Ordering stationery
- Making travel arrangements (book air tickets, rented vehicles, hotel bookings, claim refunds)

**Skills and knowledge**
- High level of initiative and being pro-active in the practice
- Ability to prioritize and deal with urgent matters promptly and efficiently
- Solid understanding of relevant legislation
- Ability to work independently, to work under pressure, to use initiative and meet deadlines
- Good administrative skills
- Must be flexible regarding time
- Excellent communication skills
- Computer literate in MS Office Suite
- Typing speed of 60+wpm

**Qualification/s**
- Matric/National diploma or equivalent qualification
- Secretarial Diploma or equivalent experience
- Excellent typing skills
- At least 5 years experience in patent prosecution or High court litigation