Plot Sales Paralegal
Harrison Drury is a market leading Firm of solicitors with offices across the North West servicing both business and private clients. We have been successful for a fourth time placing in the Top 100 Best Mid-Size Companies to work for in the UK. We are an employer of choice because we have a culture that challenges the conventional law firm approach and focuses our energy on getting great results for our clients, while attracting and developing brilliant people.
The Property team are now looking to recruit a Paralegal with an interest in plot sales. The overall purpose of this role is to manage, in liaison with the Head of Plot Sales as appropriate, the day to day transactional fee-earning activities for the busy plot sales team and to provide assistance and support to the apprentice servicing the team.
The role:
- Effective administration and management of all plot sales Files (hard copy and on SOS). This includes Matter Opening, Matter Closing, Matter Archiving and data updates during the course of a matter.
- Dealing with all aspects of Shared Ownership and outright plot sales.
- Dealing with replies to enquiries, and arranging for the issuing of engrossment documentation to both the client and buyers’ solicitors.
- Carrying out exchange of contracts and making the necessary completion arrangements with the client.
- Preparation of completion statements and associated documents to be provided to buyers’ solicitors.
- Attending to completion and distribution of funds to clients’ lenders or clients directly as applicable to a particular development and ensuring any relevant consents or discharges are obtained ahead of completion in order to be able to give the necessary undertakings.
- Ensuring file compliance with relevant regulatory standards and the Office Manual processes.
- Management of bill process and interaction with Finance.
- Production and issue of correspondence, where required, under the supervision of the Head of Plot Sales.
- Attendance at client meetings when required, taking minutes when requested and distributing appropriately.
- Drafting of documents for clients with a view to issuing contract packs to buyers solicitors using precedents provided by the head of department.
- Creation and management of data rooms and maintenance and updating of case management system as necessary.
- Telephone call handling with both clients and buyers’ solicitors in conjunction where necessary with the Head of Plot Sales.
- Contributing to operational review/continuous improvement initiatives.
- Attending weekly update meetings with Head of Plot Sales to ensure all matters are progressing satisfactorily and to provide opportunities to discuss queries requiring assistance and feedback as appropriate.
Skills and experience
- Intermediate / Advanced use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel. Powerpoint).
- Intermediate/Advanced use of Adobe Acrobat.
- Intermediate/Advanced use of Lexis Nexis, Westlaw and/or Practical Law.
- Strong academic record. Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent) at grade C or above.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong planning and organisational skills. Ability to prioritise and manage competing demands.
- Legal research skills.
- Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines.
- Attention to detail/accuracy.
- Ability to work within teams and individually using own initiative.
- Client focused.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work.
- Commercially aware.
- Self-motivated.
- Desire to learn and progress.
Desirable
- Previous role as an Paralegal/Fee Earner in a Legal service line team, ideally with experience of plot sales / residential property work.
- Experience with SOS or similar legal case management systems.
- Possible career progression via CILEX/CLC may be available following discussion with Heads of Department/Management Board.
Apply Here
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