Paralegal

Job Purpose

We are seeking to recruit a Paralegal or Property Legal Assistant to assist our Property Securitisation Team based in our Leeds office. We are looking for someone ideally with previous conveyancing experience, who has excellent attention to detail and is able to manage their own caseload. This is a demanding role that will require flexibility and the ability to successfully prioritise competing demands. This is an excellent opportunity to join a Tier 1 ranked team (Chambers UK and Legal 500) who are at the forefront of the affordable housing sector, acting on transactions ranging from £1million - £2 billion.

The Team

The Property Securitisation team are at the heart of Devonshires’ business within the firm, with a presence in London, Leeds, and Colchester. The team works on property transactions with a broad range of clients from registered providers of social housing and care homes, charities, and private developers, acting on developments from a handful of units to thousands.

Duties and Responsibilities

This is not an exhaustive list and from time to time it may be necessary to vary these to meet the department and business needs. Working individually and as a team you will assist the Partners and Solicitors with:

• Undertaking initial title due diligence which includes identifying titles at the Land Registry, obtaining Official Copy Entries and Office Copy Documents from the Land Registry, reviewing title registers and plans to ascertain land ownership and legal interest over the land, undertaking title checks and undertaking full property due diligence against property portfolios;
• Obtaining and identifying relevant planning documents, drafting planning application forms and submission of applications to Councils for variations and rectifications;
• Drafting and negotiating Deeds of Variation (full training will be provided);
• Liaising with relevant third parties to chase for responses;
• Dealing with post-completion matters which will include the submission and management of Land Registry applications including to register transfers, deeds of variations and other related documents;
• Building and maintaining effective client relationships;
• Providing the Clients, Partners and Solicitors with progress reports as and when required;
• Assisting with the organising, monitoring and delivery of the team’s significant transactions;
• Meeting targets that may be set from time to time;
• Following department procedures, the Solicitor’s accounts rules and the Firm’s policies and procedures as detailed in the Office Manual;
• Undertaking such duties and tasks that are appropriate for the role of Paralegal such as changes in information systems and new technology as may reasonably be required.

Person Specification

Essential skills

• Background and experience in Conveyancing or Property Law
• Experience of using the Land Registry portal
• Possess good drafting skills and experience in drafting deeds/other documents;
• Conduct effective legal research;
• Competent in all MS applications, to include Word, Excel and Outlook;
• Have a methodical approach with excellent administration skills, organisation and attention to detail;
• Ability to prioritise a heavy workload and work to tight deadlines, sometimes with limited supervision;
• Good communication skills at all levels with ability to communicate in “plain English”;
• Must be client focussed and have an approachable manner with good communication skills/telephone manner;
• Possess a strong customer service ethic with the ability to empathise with clients;
• Good time management skills, able to deal with more than one task at a time;
• Be a supportive team player and willing to assist others;
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, tenacious and approachable;
• Be calm and professional at all times;
• Be punctual and flexible. If you have capacity, you may be required to help other departments, or team members, though this tends to be very rare.

Desirable skills

• An LPC or GDL qualification (LPC would be preferred but is not essential)
• Previous social housing experience
• Experience in managing own workload or assisting a Partner/Fee-Earner with a high volume workload • Understanding of Section 106 Agreements and Mortgagee Protection Clauses
• 2:1 degree or equivalent in Law (or appropriate conversion)
• Knowledge of DMS (Document Management System).