Commercial Property Paralegal

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY PARALEGAL

WALLINGFORD

FULL TIME

OR

PART-TIME (Permanent 2-3 days per week 14-21 hours - to include Tuesdays & Thursdays) - standard hours 9.00am-5.00pm.

Our client is a well-regarded and established high street legal practice based in Oxfordshire. They are a multi-disciplinary firm providing a full range of professional legal services from three sites.

Main purpose of the job:

Reporting to and supporting the Commercial Property solicitor at Wallingford, acting for a broad range of clients.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will be a committed paralegal who enjoys commercial property work. They will ideally have similar recent experience of working in an administrative Commercial support role, dealing with routine commercial property matters. They will have basic knowledge of a wide range of transactional Commercial property work including completion and post completion work. They should have recent experience of freehold and leasehold transactions and working knowledge of Stamp Duty Land Tax and Land Registry 2 processes. They will be adept at using case management systems to optimise efficiency. They will be prepared to implement best practice to create a streamlined service. They will provide excellent front-line support to the solicitor and be a professional and efficient first point of contact to clients.

Main duties:

• to support with a wide range of property work, including but not limited to completion of initial contract packs, drafting agreements and deeds, submitting Stamp Duty Land Tax returns and making applications to the Land Registry for a range of Commercial Property clients.
• deal with post-completion work - to include dealing with payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax, registration, discharge of mortgage and estate agents fees, service of any relevant notices, taking out any necessary indemnity policies and scheduling of Deeds
• attending client meetings, dealing with legal reporting work and dealing with progress enquiries throughout from clients, estate agents, mortgage brokers/financial advisers and colleagues in other departments.
• take responsibility for the administration, management and progression of the client matter. Ensure that all client work is processed expeditiously, and that the client is kept regularly informed of progress and costs.
• take responsibility for AML compliance, including but not limited to ensuring client provision of identification documentation, undertaking electronic ID checks and maintaining electronic and paper records.
• general administration including but not limited to producing letters and documents which utilise Case Management and IT systems.
• opening new files for the fee earners at the office and file maintenance in accordance with company practice
• providing quotes for prospective clients
• receiving instructions, ordering searches and requesting redemption figures
• preparing draft contract packs
• dealing with solicitor enquiries
• preparing reports for clients; including but not limited to commercial freehold and leasehold purchases and taking of a lease including reporting on title, searches, mortgages, loan agreements, contracts (and lease terms if relevant).
• preparing draft Leases, Rent Deposit Deeds, Agreements for Lease, Licence to Alter, Option Agreements and Licence to Assign (this is not an exhaustive list) utilising current industry-standard documentation with available precedents from Practical Law, Lexis and any other company approved online resource(s).
• preparation of completion statements
• proactive diary management including making appointments, prioritising, and arranging meetings.
• processing daily emails, post, and voice messages on behalf of the fee earner filing, photocopying, scanning, dead filing, DX & post preparation 3
• setting up and authorising release of bank payments to third parties, clients and lenders as required
• meeting with clients face to face, to help administer and progress matters as instructed by the supervising solicitor.
• providing clients with updates and dealing with enquiries in relation to the day-to-day relevant matters via phone, email, and face to face
• on the supervising solicitor’s instructions, bill for work done on clients’ behalf, chasing invoices if necessary and liaising with the finance department.
• ensure high quality communication with the company’s internal teams and individuals.
• reporting faulty equipment / software to appropriate parties
• attending relevant team meetings
• participating in other activities and projects; flexibility as required
• Carrying out any other reasonable task that may be requested by the supervising solicitor.

Compliance & quality standards

Abide by all company health and safety procedures

Assist with compliance related matters relevant to the department

Carry out reasonable tasks that may be requested by your line manager

Personal Attributes

• A well-organised and flexible person
• A person who can be proactive and work under pressure.
• An efficient and effective paralegal with good typing and case management skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Takes responsibility for their own work.
• Ability to deal with competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Shows understanding of client’s needs and tailors service appropriately.
• Calm and confident team player with good interpersonal skills

Salary and benefits:

• Commensurate with experience
• 25 days holiday FTE (pro-rated to contracted hours) + % of usual bank holidays
• Pension: Minimum 3% employer pension contributions (automatic enrolment for employees aged 22 and over / Minimum 5% employee contributions).