Paralegal - Property Team

Reading Borough Council; Reading; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working opportunities

Modern working environment at CivicOff

Life Assurance - 3x annual salary (LG)

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice

Job summary

Reading Borough Council is seeking a Paralegal to join the Property Team. You will provide essential legal and administrative support across a varied caseload, working with solicitors and clients to ensure efficient progress and high-quality service.

You will handle property transactions, prepare contracts and completion documents, and conduct legal research while maintaining accurate records and strong stakeholder relationships. A proactive, confidential approach is required.

Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
• Experience in a legal environment or interest in pursuing a legal career.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with a broad range of property transactions and legal matters.
• Drafting correspondence, legal documents and reports.
• Preparing files, contracts, leases, licences and completion documentation.
• Undertaking legal research and summarising findings for lawyers and clients.
• Managing case files and maintaining accurate records and databases.
• Liaising with internal clients, external organisations, legal representatives and other stakeholders.
• Assisting with completions, registrations and post-completion work.
• Supporting the team in delivering an efficient and responsive legal service.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Time management

Teamwork

Problem solving

Confidentiality

Education

GCSEs English and Maths

Tools

Word

PowerPoint

DocuSign

Case management system

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

About the Role

As a Paralegal within the Property Team, you will provide essential legal and administrative support on a varied caseload of property-related matters. Working closely with solicitors and clients across the organisation, you will help ensure transactions progress efficiently and legal services are delivered to a high standard.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting with a broad range of property transactions and legal matters.
• Drafting correspondence, legal documents and reports.
• Preparing files, contracts, leases, licences and completion documentation.
• Undertaking legal research and summarising findings for lawyers and clients.
• Managing case files and maintaining accurate records and databases.
• Liaising with internal clients, external organisations, legal representatives and other stakeholders.
• Assisting with completions, registrations and post-completion work.
• Supporting the team in delivering an efficient and responsive legal service.

About You

You’ll be organised, methodical and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy. You’ll have good written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to handle information sensitively and confidentially.

You’ll be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and a willingness to learn. You’ll also be able to build positive working relationships, respond professionally to queries and adapt to changing workloads.

An interest in property law and experience in a legal support, paralegal or local authority environment would be beneficial. You’ll be keen to develop your knowledge and contribute to the delivery of a high-quality legal service.

You will have:

• A good standard of general education, including GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
• Previous experience within a legal environment or a strong interest in pursuing a legal career.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• The ability to prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines.
• Excellent IT Skills e.g Word, PowerPoint, DocuSign and any other related legal case management system.
• A positive, flexible and customer-focused approach.
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• A commitment to learning, development and continuous improvement.

Experience in property law, particularly within a local authority or a similarly complex environment, would be valuable for this role.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact Jayne La Grua, Director – Legal at [e-mail]

Closing Date: Sunday 15