Senior Paralegal (Residential Conveyancing)

Andy File Associates Ltd; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 holidays + Bank holidays

Westfield Healthcare

Pension (Scottish Widows)

Discount on legal fees up to £750

Job summary

Andy File Associates Limited, acting for a leading Sheffield law firm, is seeking a junior conveyancing paralegal to support fee earners in a busy residential property team. 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, offering exposure to drafts, exchanges and completions.

You will handle client enquiries, prepare documents, liaise with lenders and agents, and help ensure compliance with internal procedures and CQS standards while building client relationships.

Qualifications

• Good working knowledge of the conveyancing process and assisting fee earners within a conveyancing team.
• At least 12 months’ experience in a similar role.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Assist on varied residential property transactions including client enquiries, updates and instructions.
• Prepare correspondence, forms and documents under supervision.
• Support fee earner in management and progression of transactions.
• Prepare sale contracts and supporting documentation.
• Facilitate exchange of contracts and prepare financial statements and SDLT submissions.
• Ensure tasks follow internal procedures and CQS standards.

Skills

Conveyancing knowledge

Organisation

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Andy File Associates Limited is working as a Recruitment Agency on behalf of our client with regards this permanent position.

Our client is a well-established leading firm of solicitors based in Sheffield. They are a forward-thinking organisation and one of the leading law firms in South Yorkshire well known for delivering excellent levels of client care.

Hours of Work: 35 hours, Monday to Friday

Role Purpose

To assist and support fee earners within the team in accordance with internal procedures and best practice.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• To assist on a varied caseload of residential property transactions including dealing with client enquiries, providing updates and taking instructions
• To proficiently prepare correspondence, forms and documents in accordance with instructions and supervision
• To assist fee earner in the management and progression of transactions as directed
• Preparation of sale contracts and relevant supporting documentation on registered and unregistered titles
• To facilitate exchange of contracts in accordance with instructions and as required and then proficiently prepare and/or arrange financial statements, SDLT submissions, certificates of title for advance funds
• To process all tasks in accordance with instructions, established internal procedures, Conveyancing Quality Standards (CQS) and good practice
• To ensure all new build warranties are submitted and intercepted as soon as possible and within defined timescales
• To deal with preparation of any Help to Buy Incentives including providing relevant documentation
• To act as a point of contact for clients by telephone and face to face including recording accurate messages and information
• To professionally and pro-actively liaise with clients, estate agents, financial advisors, mortgage lenders and other law firms as appropriate
• To demonstrate exemplary client care and ensure continual client contact in accordance with internal practices
• To build and maintain strong relationships with clients and third parties demonstrable through positive feedback
• To proactively contribute to the overall development, implementation and smooth running of internal administrative procedures including making suggestions as appropriate
• To identify and undertake continual personal and professional development including attending training as required
• To follow and adhere to all Department Working Instructions (DWI’s) and company policies to ensure compliance at all times
• To undertake additional tasks which fall within the scope of the role as directed and reasonably required

Completing the following tasks working independently with a high level of confidence and accuracy

• Drafting mortgage reports
• Flagging to fee earner potential inaccuracies in mortgage offer
• Drafting search reports and flagging to fee earner potential issues within searches
• Drafting and issuing contract packs (including requesting leasehold information and redemption statements)
• Drafting SDLT returns
• Drafting key documents (including TR1, Deed of Covenant, Stock Transfer Form, etc.)
• Sending documents to clients for signing
• Reviewing sale enquiries on simple transactions (e.g. straightforward freehold transactions)
• Ordering searches and Ordering SIM searches
• Liaising with giftor to obtain ID, statements and declaration
• Liaising with clients and other key parties (including estate agents, solicitors and mortgage brokers)
• Completing initial compliance checks for fee earner approval
• Ability to organise and manage workload
• Proactively work from the team inbox (i.e. able to pick out work within the junior paralegal’s capabilities and flag tasks outside of junior paralegal’s capability to fee earner or senior paralegal)
• Completing completion set-ups
• Conducting exchanges and completions under supervision
• Preparing handover for post-completion
• Dealing with completion tasks including the service of notice on a leasehold property
• Reporting to lender on inaccuracies in mortgage offer (full client names, tenure, etc.)
• Raising relevant enquiries on search results
• Ability to independently run complex sale matters (leasehold flats, unregistered titles, complex titles, drafting statements of truth, drafting riders etc.), including dealing with enquiries
• Ability to independently run (or with limited guidance) simple freehold purchases (including title check and report on title)
• Conduct initial source of funds review on purchase
• Checking lender handbooks to ensure compliance

Who are we looking for

• It is essential that you have a good working knowledge of the conveyancing process and of assisting fee earners within a conveyancing team
• At least 12 months’ experience in a similar role
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Word and Outlook

Abilities, skills and knowledge:

• Good personal organisation including the ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines
• Ability to work methodically and accurately with an excellent attention to detail and aprofessional and pro-active outlook
• Strong team working skills and ability to work on own initiative with aflexible, adaptable and solution based approach
• Excellent communication and client care skills with a dedication to delivering excellent standards of client care

Desirable:

Knowledge and experience of case management systems

Benefits include:

• 25 holidays + Bank holidays. An additional 3 days after 5 years’ service pro-rata for part time
• Scottish Widows’ Pension, standard contribution initially and after 3 years employer contribution 6%
• Westfield Healthcare
• Discount on legal fees up to £750