Legal Secretary

Vasto Legal Recruitment Ltd; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire Law Firm is seeking a Commercial Property Legal Secretary to support a busy team handling retail and office transactions, land searches, and landlord/tenant work.

You will be responsible for accurate copy/audio typing, file opening, AML checks, and financial administration, with potential for some home-based work after settling in.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a legal secretary within a commercial property department.
• Accurate copy and audio typing with strong formatting and proofreading skills.
• Excellent written English, grammar and spelling.
• Competence in Word, Outlook, Excel, DocuSign and PDF software (iManage is a plus).
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Copy and audio typing (BigHand), prepare and proofread legal documents.
• First point of contact for clients via phone and email.
• Open new files, complete client ID and AML checks, manage closures.
• Prepare Land Registry applications and liaise on searches and requisitions
• Assist with post-completion formalities and deeds of covenant where needed.
• Prepare lease/deed summaries, schedules of deeds and shared folders.
• Draft basic replies and reports for fee earners, support with SDLT returns.
• Manage invoices, payments, client ledgers and credit control.
• Coordinate diaries and meetings via Teams and Zoom.

Skills

Commercial Property

Legal secretary

Copy typing

Audio typing

Proofreading

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

DocuSign

iManage

Time management

Education

Tools

Word

Outlook

Excel

DocuSign

PDF software

iManage

Job description

Legal Secretary, Commercial Property | Hertfordshire

This Legal 500 and Chambers ranked Law Firm in Hertfordshire are looking to hire Commercial Property Legal Secretary, supporting a busy and well-regarded commercial property team.

Prior commercial property experience is essential, as you will be joining a busy team and will be expected to have a good understanding of the day-to-day running of commercial property transactions.

The Firm

This is a leading multi-service law firm, ranked in both Legal 500 and Chambers, acting for a broad client base that includes multinational companies, global brands, SMEs, owner-managed businesses and private individuals. The firm has a strong international dimension, with dedicated expertise across China and Asia, France and French-speaking countries, and Russia and the CIS region.

With offices in Hertfordshire and London, 25 partners, over 100 staff and a turnover of around £12 million, the firm combines the quality of work and client base you would expect from a much larger practice with the feel of a close-knit, collaborative team.

What really sets the firm apart is its culture. The office has a flat structure, there is a crossover of work between departments, and the team regularly has lunch together. There is no hot desking, so you will have your own space, and support staff are recognised as a key part of what keeps the practice running smoothly.

The Role

You will be supporting a team of fee earners ranging from Partner level through to Associates and Consultants. The team acts for an impressive client base including national retailers, property investors, developers and lenders. The work is varied and high quality, covering retail and office acquisitions and disposals, investment property, development, property finance and a busy flow of landlord and tenant work.

This is a full-time office-based role, with the potential to work one day from home after a settling-in period.

This is a hands-on role where you will be trusted with real involvement in the transactional side of matters, under the supervision of the fee earners. Key responsibilities include:

• Copy and audio typing (BigHand), preparing, formatting and proofreading correspondence and legal documents
• Being a first point of contact for clients, dealing professionally with telephone and email enquiries
• Opening new files, completing client ID and AML checks and managing file closures
• Preparing HM Land Registry applications (including AP1 and TR1), submitting official searches, obtaining office copies and dealing with requisitions
• Assisting with post-completion formalities, including notices of transfer or charge and deeds of covenant
• Preparing lease and deed summaries, schedules of deeds, sales packs and document-sharing folders
• Preparing basic replies to CPSEs, basic reports on title and draft SDLT returns for fee earner review
• Financial administration, including invoices, payment requests, checking client ledgers and credit control
• Managing diaries and arranging meetings, including via Teams and Zoom

Requirements

• Previous experience as a legal secretary within a commercial property department
• Accurate copy and audio typing, with strong formatting and proofreading skills
• Excellent written English, grammar and spelling
• Competence in Word, Outlook, Excel, DocuSign and PDF software (experience of iManage is an advantage)
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing deadlines