Residential New Homes – Paralegal

Location: Davies and Partners Solicitors, Rowan House, Barnett Way, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3RT
Salary: Competitive 
Contract: Permanent
Working Hours: Full-time hours per week. 

Davies and Partners Solicitors is a well-established law firm with over 30 years’ experience. It has a national reputation for excellence in the Property sector and strength in depth in a wide selection of other legal services for businesses & individuals. There are 5 offices in Gloucester, Bristol, Birmingham, London and Devon. Davies and Partners Solicitors strongly believe that their staff are the heart of the company and are therefore driven to ensure that all employees experience and maintain a good work-life balance. 
 
Key Duties and Responsibilities

·To assist with issuing quotes on our App, opening new files and onboarding clients.
·Assisting the clients, developers and brokers with any queries either by telephone or email.
·To exhibit flexibility, particularly during peak times of the year.
·Updating developer spreadsheets and work lists on OneDrive.
·Updating our App as and when key stages are met and assisting clients with any queries
·Checking the client’s initial documentation and identifying the procedures necessary for each individual client
·Obtaining satisfactory evidence of funds to satisfy AML regulations, reporting any concerns to the Team Leader/Head of Department, carrying out appropriate Money Laundering ID checks and recording all evidence on each case file.
·Requesting payment on account from clients.
·Arranging Search Insurance or obtaining Local, Environmental and/or Drainage Searches depending on client/lender requirements.
·Sending standard correspondence to clients.
·Drafting Stamp Duty Land Tax form in preparation for report to client.
·Write to clients and solicitors confirming exchange.
·Advising clients when notice to complete has been served.
·Obtain OS2 and Bankruptcy searches and downloading the search results onto case file and lender portals.
·Obtain closing statements from clients and order ISA/LISA funds.
·Order redemption statements from lenders on sales.
·Set up completions with Accounts Department i.e. bills, echits etc.;
·Provide the client with completion statements once checked by Accounts Dept.
·On completion ensure submission and payment of SDLT is made to HMRC.
·Arranging completion letters to client and solicitors, sending deeds etc on sales to solicitors.
·Submitting END1s/DS1s to existing lenders/HTB on sales.
·Submit the AP1 and add the matter to Post Completion spreadsheet on One Drive.
·Assist with training new Paralegals/Junior Paralegals to the Departmental standards.
Your job title does not define or limit your duties and you may be required to carry out other work within your abilities from time to time at our request.

We reserve the right to introduce changes in line with technological developments which may impact upon your job duties or methods of working.

Compliance 

As part of our compliance procedures, applicants are asked to note that:

·references will be followed up.
·all gaps in CVs must be explained satisfactorily.
·proof of identity and (where applicable) qualifications will be required.
·reference requests will ask specifically whether the applicant ever been subject to any proceedings/complaints initiated by the Law Society or any other professional body.
·appropriate suitability checks may be required prior to confirmation of appointment.
This role meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This role will require applicants who are offered employment to be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions.

Equal Opportunities

Davies and Partners Solicitors provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable national laws. Davies and Partners Solicitors complies with applicable national laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Personal Specification

Legal Status:

·Right to live and work in the UK e.g. valid UK passport or appropriate visa/work permits

Education/Qualifications 

· GCSE’s or equivalent in Maths and English 
· A Law Degree is not required but awareness of compliance and processes within residential conveyancing would be beneficial

Skills/Knowledge:

·Experience working in a fast-paced and demanding environment
·Experience of completing administrative tasks
·Self-organised and proactive
·Excellent attention to detail
·Ability to maintain client confidentiality 
·Adaptable to the needs of the business as changes occur during the operational requirements 
·Competence in the effective use of Information and Communications Technologies (lCT)
·The ability to prioritise, meet deadlines, and work under pressure 
·Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
·Ability to be flexible
·Experience of working within residential conveyancing is useful but not essential as full ‘on the job’ training will be provided.

You may have experience in the following roles: Property Paralegal, Conveyancing Assistant, Legal Assistant, Real Estate Paralegal, Residential Property Assistant, Legal Administrator, Conveyancing Paralegal, Transactional Paralegal, Legal Support Specialist, etc.

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