Residential Property Solicitor

Holmes & Hills Solicitors; Colchester; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Holmes & Hills Solicitors is seeking a qualified lawyer to join their Commercial Property Department. The role involves handling a mixed caseload of residential and commercial property matters, providing a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional growth. Candidates should have a keen interest in residential property and possess strong communication and organisational skills.

Benefits

28 days’ holiday per year plus bank holidays

Medicash and Unum dental cash-back schemes

Life Insurance

Wellbeing support services including virtual GP access

Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

Company sick pay

Cycle scheme

Qualifications

• 0-3 years’ PQE in residential property.
• Interest in residential property required.
• Some experience in commercial property preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drafting contract packs and undertaking property due diligence.
• Preparing reports on title and progressing transactions.
• Running transactions with supervision and assisting senior team members.

Skills

Research

Communication

Commercial Acumen

Organisational Skills

Proactive Thinking

Client Service

Education

Qualified lawyer (solicitor, CILEx qualified, or Licensed Conveyancer)

Job description

The Role

We are seeking either a newly or recently qualified lawyer, desirous of a mixed caseload. The successful candidate will sit within our Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners recognised Commercial Property Department in Marks Tey and will assist the firm’s commercial clients with their personal conveyancing matters. The role will mainly consist of more complex residential conveyancing matters, with occasional general property work and hybrid residential/commercial conveyancing matters.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

1. Drafting contract packs
2. Undertaking property due diligence
3. Preparing reports on title, security documents, and transactional documents
4. Progressing transactions and dealing with exchanges and completions
5. Running your own transactions with supervision
6. Assisting senior members of the team
7. Taking new enquiries

You will join a vibrant team dealing with all aspects of transactional property work, including residential sales and purchases (freehold and leasehold, registered and unregistered properties/sites), long leases, transfers of equity, remortgages, bridging finance, and easements. You will adopt the house-style of the firm’s Commercial Property Department to provide seamless service to clients.

Experience Needed

We are seeking a qualified lawyer (solicitor, CILEx qualified, or Licensed Conveyancer) with 0–3 years’ PQE wishing to specialise predominantly in residential property. At least one of your training seats should have been in residential property, and you should demonstrate a keen interest in this area. Some experience of commercial property is preferred but not required.

Skills and Attributes

• A team-player
• Excellent research and communication skills
• Strong commercial acumen
• Organisational skills and commitment to excellent file management
• Efficient and proactive thinking
• Willingness to engage in marketing and business development
• Dedicated to excellent client service
• Confidence to manage a caseload autonomously with supervision
• Willingness to uphold CQS standards, comply with Protocol, and undertake annual CQS training

What We Offer

• A supportive, relaxed, and flexible work environment in an experienced and growing team
• 28 days’ holiday per year plus bank holidays
• Medicash and Unum dental cash-back schemes after 1 year’s service
• Life Insurance
• EAP and other wellbeing support services including virtual GP access 24/7
• Family-friendly policies such as enhanced maternity and paternity pay, family events leave
• Company sick pay
• Cycle scheme

At Holmes & Hills, we foster a culture of sharing, collaboration, and mutual respect. We are genuine, authentic, and down-to-earth, with passionate colleagues committed to quality service and firm values that underpin our development and progression of over 200 valued colleagues.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, along with the opportunity to work in a progressive, modern, and inspiring law firm that values work/life balance, flexibility, family focus, and career development through our Career and Training Pathways.

About Us

Holmes & Hills Solicitors is a large regional firm with seven offices across Essex and Suffolk, comprising over 200 legal professionals across various departments. We work closely with clients across East Anglia, including businesses, individuals, families, and local authorities, to build long-standing relationships, protect interests, and support growth.

Our Approach

We work in partnership with clients, providing proactive legal services through personal relationships. Acting as trusted advisors, we take the time to understand clients’ needs and objectives before delivering practical advice in an accessible manner.

Recognition

Holmes & Hills is independently recognized by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a leading law firm in the region. These accolades affirm the high quality of our legal advice and services, serving a diverse clientele ranging from international brands to local families and first-time home buyers.