Applications will not be considered without a cover letter alongside your CV.
Role Purpose
To be the first point of contact for new and existing clients for the Commercial and Property Litigation department To support the Solicitor, enabling them to work efficiently by providing high-quality administrative and case management support. To assist the Solicitor as required in administrative tasks, to include:
- Upkeep and maintenance of precedent bank
- Preparing standard files, emails and documents
- File opening and compliance administration
- Diary management and monitoring court and key matter deadlines
- File closing administration
- Billing support and file management
- Liaising with clients, courts, counsel, managing agents, experts and other third parties
Under guidance and supervision, it is envisaged that the role will develop to include reviewing legal documentation and assisting with the preparation of correspondence, court forms, applications, witness statements and claims across a variety of residential and commercial property litigation matters.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to gain practical experience across a broad range of property litigation matters, including but not limited to:
Residential Property Litigation
- Possession proceedings.
- Mortgage possession matters.
- Boundary disputes.
- Rights of way and easement disputes.
- Adverse possession claims.
- Neighbour disputes.
- Trespass and unlawful occupation.
- Rent arrears recovery.
- Service charge disputes.
- Residential disrepair claims.
Commercial Property Litigation
- Commercial possession proceedings.
- Forfeiture.
- Security of tenure disputes.
- Opposed and unopposed lease renewals.
- Breach of lease covenant claims.
- Commercial rent recovery.
- Dilapidations and service charge disputes.
The primary focus of the role is to provide excellent administrative support to the department. However, there will be opportunities to develop practical litigation skills and progressively take on more legal responsibilities as experience and confidence grow.
To ensure work is undertaken within reasonable timescales given by the Solicitor and to a high standard.
To ensure the confidentiality and security of the firm’s clients, documents and information.
To undertake any training as required.
To actively promote the firm’s ethos and image and, where appropriate, engage with external marketing.
Key Tasks
- Answer incoming enquiries (email, phone and walk ins) to the business, providing a high standard of customer care and directing queries to the Solicitor where appropriate.
- Dealing with new client enquiries, taking initial instructions, opening files with accurate data entry. Updating the enquiries database, and liaising with the Solicitor/sign posting new clients as appropriate
- Assisting the Solicitor in creating standard documents for LEAP, including client care letters, initial emails, file closure forms, standard invoices
- Maintain accurate electronic files within LEAP, ensuring correspondence, emails and documentation are filed correctly.
- Keep LEAP updated with key dates, limitation periods, hearing dates and matter contact details.
- Regularly liaise with the Solicitor regarding outstanding tasks and priorities.
- Populate standard documents and correspondence for approval and issue by the Solicitor.
- Prepare hearing bundles, trial bundles and court documentation under the Solicitor's guidance.
- Liaise with clients, courts, barristers, surveyors, managing agents, enforcement agents, process servers and other third parties.
- Produce invoices, facilitate payments and liaise with the finance department regarding office and client account balances.
- Assist with financial management of matters and ensuring costs are concluded efficiently following settlement or conclusion of proceedings.
- Complete file risk assessments under the Solicitor's guidance.
- File administration, compliance and archiving.
- Under supervision, review legal documentation including title documents, leases and tenancy documentation, and assist with drafting routine correspondence, court forms, applications, witness statements and claims as experience develops.
- Assist with legal research and maintaining departmental precedents where appropriate.
- Any other reasonable request or duty commensurate with the responsibility level of this role
Skills and Experience Required
- Experience in a Property role an advantage
- Experience in a Litigation role an advantage
- Educated to degree level (preferably in Law) or equivalent experience
- Good written and verbal communication
- Excellent attention to detail
- Desire to learn
- Commercially aware and committed to exceptional client service
- Resilient to a fast-paced environment and discerning clients
- Willing to support the growth and development of the firm
- High-quality approach to client service
- Ability to manage unhappy clients
Benefits
- Starting salary of £25,707
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas closure
- Pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric car scheme
- Health and Well-being scheme
Schedule
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From £25,707.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Health & wellbeing programme
Work Location: In person
