Legal Assistant- Housing and Regeneration (Property)

Forbes Solicitors; Preston; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Annual leave purchase scheme

Enhanced family friendly policies

Enhanced sick pay

Volunteer leave

Ongoing professional development

Profit share scheme

Long service awards

Staff discount on Firm services

Health care benefits

Retail and gym membership discounts

Annual Events

Job summary

Forbes Solicitors LLP is seeking a Legal Assistant to join the Housing and Regeneration (Property) team at Gordon House Office in Preston. The role is full-time, 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, offering a supportive environment and clear progression opportunities.

You will provide administrative and secretarial support, prepare standard legal documents, draft correspondence, manage client instructions, and coordinate with counsel and external parties to ensure timely delivery of

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 or above or equivalent.
• Strong administrative skills including word processing, records management, and handling correspondence.
• Excellent proofreading and editing to ensure accuracy and quality of legal documents.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with clients, colleagues and external parties.
• Ability to prioritise tasks, manage time, and coordinate multiple activities.
• Strong IT skills (Outlook, Word) and other systems experience.
• Team player with the ability to work in a team.
• Interest in long-term development in the department.
• Aligns with the Firm’s values.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective and efficient support to Advisors through administration, planning and secretarial work.
• Complete non-chargeable work required to deliver work to clients in a timely and efficient manner.
• Preparing and completing standard legal documents for the delivery of client work, using set processes, systems and information provided
• Drafting and proofreading standard correspondence for relevant stakeholders based on information provided by an Advisor.
• Taking and updating client instructions to accurately inform the department of requirements.
• Providing organisation and logistical support to Advisors and the department for the practical delivery of services to clients (e.g. diarising meetings, taking notes, organising transport and directions, liaising with clients, courts and third parties regarding arrangements required).
• Obtaining instructions and information from clients and informing them of the processes and next steps.
• Co-ordinating and liaising with counsel, experts, solicitor advocates or other third parties.
• Manage on-going communications with all external stakeholders, answering queries, managing expectations, providing updates and escalating appropriately.
• Stay updated on legal trends and participate in ongoing training to enhance skills and contribute to the firm's overall success.

Skills

GCSE Maths & English

Administrative skills

Proofreading & editing

Written & verbal communication

Task prioritisation / time management

IT skills (Outlook, Word)

Teamwork

Long-term development interests

Values alignment

Tools

Outlook

Word

PfW (case management)

Job description

The Role

Forbes Solicitors LLP are seeking a Legal Assistant to join our Housing and Regeneration (Property) team at our Gordon House Office. This role is full time, working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to start their career in Law and become part of a collaborative and professional team. While the role demands the fast pace, customer focus, and high standards of a law firm, it also ensures a sustainable work-life balance, reflecting the regional area it serves.

As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for achieving successful outcomes such as:

• Provide effective and efficient support to Advisors through administration, planning and secretarial work.
• Successful completion of additional non-chargeable work required to deliver work to clients in a timely and efficient manner.
• Preparing and completing standard legal documents for the delivery of client work, using set processes, systems and information provided
• Drafting and proof-reading standard correspondence for any relevant stakeholders based on information provided by an Advisor.
• Taking and updating client instructions to accurately inform the department of requirements.
• Providing organisation and logistical support to Advisors and the department for the practical delivery of services to clients (e.g. diarising meetings, taking notes, organising transport and directions, liaising with clients, courts and third parties regarding arrangements required).
• Obtaining instructions and information from clients and informing them of the processes and next steps.
• Co-ordinating and liaising with counsel, experts, solicitor advocates or other third parties.
• Manage on-going communications with all external stakeholders, answering queries, managing expectations, providing updates and effectively chasing responses required and escalating appropriately.
• Stay updated on legal trends and participate in ongoing training to enhance skills and contribute to the firm's overall success.

The Person

We will be progressing applicants to the next stage based on their demonstrated knowledge, experience, and skills in:

Essential:

• GCSE Maths and English, grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.
• Demonstrates good administrative skills including, word processing, maintaining records, and handling correspondence.
• Demonstrates good attention to detail, including proof-reading and editing skills to ensure accuracy and quality of legal documents.
• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with clients, colleagues, and external parties.
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritise tasks, manage time effectively, and coordinate multiple activities simultaneously.
• Demonstrates competence in their IT skills (Outlook, Word, and other systems experience).
• Demonstrates the ability to work as part of a team.
• Has an interest in long term development/progression in the department.
• Aligns with the Firm’s values.

Desirable

• Previous experience within property/housing sectors.
• Familiarity with legal processes, terminology, and the operation of law firms.
• Experience in organising meetings and appointments, and managing logistical details for legal professionals.
• Experience using legal case management systems (e.g., PfW) to support the delivery of services

The Firm

At Forbes Solicitors, we believe in creating a supportive and collaborative environment where our team members can thrive and develop themselves and others. We offer a comprehensive range of legal services and have offices across the North, with deep roots in Lancashire. Our team are known for its genuine, practical advice and passion for achieving the best results. We are real people who listen to each other and work together to deliver exceptional service.

We are proud to have been awarded UK Employer of the Year: Silver (250+) at the Investors in People Awards 2024 and the Firm is ranked as a Legal 500 Top Tier Firm and a Chambers and Partners Leading Firm.

We are a values led Firm and are looking for people who embody our values: authenticity, striving for exceptional results, and unity in teamwork to join our award-winning Firm.

The Benefits

We are dedicated to supporting our people and offer a range of benefits, including:

• 33 days annual leave, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Annual leave purchase scheme (Subject to T&Cs).
• Enhanced family friendly policies and pay for Maternity, Paternity and Adoption.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Celebration and Volunteer leave.
• Ongoing professional development and progression opportunities.
• Profit share scheme.
• Additional long service awards.
• Subsidised tuck shops.
• Staff discount on Firm services.
• Health care benefits (Health Cash Back Plan and Mental Health Counselling Services).
• BUPA (Solicitor positions only, for self, not dependents).
• Retail and gym membership discounts.
• Recruitment and legal department referrals (Subject to T&Cs).
• Annual Events.

Forbes is an equal opportunities and disability-confident employer, accredited by Investors in People and ISO 9001 quality management systems. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment, service provision, and supplier engagement, and strive to maintain a workforce that reflects the local community.