Real Estate Paralegal

Job Purpose:
Find out more about this role by reading the information below, then apply to be considered.
We are recruiting a Paralegal to work within our Housing Management and Property
Litigation Team. The successful candidate will assist the Solicitors with their work as well
as building their own caseload. Ideally they will have Housing Management or Property
Litigation experience but this is not essential.
The role will involve providing advice and assistance to Registered Providers of Social
Housing and private landlords in a broad range of matters including possession
proceedings based on rent arrears, breach of tenancy, anti-social behaviour and
unauthorised occupiers, injunction proceedings, disrepair claims and claims against
leaseholders including forfeiture.
The Team:
The team, which is one of the largest in England & Wales, consists of a total of 51 fee
earners, including 8 partners, 13 solicitors, 4 Chartered Legal Executive Lawyers and 26
Paralegals with a wealth of experience in this field.
Our Housing Management and Property Litigation Department acts for over 100 Registered
Providers (RPs) in England and Wales advising on all aspects of housing management and
property litigation advice.
We believe that effective housing management is key to our clients’ performance as social
landlords.
We also act for private organisations, land owners, developers, investors, charities, and
local authorities.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
This is not an exhaustive list and from time to time it may be necessary to vary these to
meet the department and business needs.
• Assist solicitors and other fee earners in the day to day running of files;
• Draft and prepare claim forms, pleadings and witness statements for the County
Court, ensuring all are prepared as soon in advance as possible;
• Efficiently manage a large number of deadlines relating to a variety of cases at any
one time;
• Prepare trial bundles;
• Liaise with Court prior to trials to ensure necessary paperwork is sent and received
and follow up on late/lost paperwork;
• Attending Court to assist Barristers and other fee-earners;
• Conduct advocacy in the County Court on routine matters;
• Assist with enquiries made by clients, Barristers and other fee earners, chasing
paperwork where necessary;
• Organise and maintain tidy and accurate files both in soft and hard copy;
• Occasionally undertake site visits;
• Meet targets that may be set from time to time by Line Manager;
• Follow department procedures, the Solicitor’s Accounts Rules and the Firm’s
policies and procedures as detailed in the Office Manual.
Person Specification
Essential skills
• Minimum 2:2 degree or equivalent in Law (or appropriate conversion);
• Ability to conduct effective legal research;
• Possess solid drafting skills;
• Possess the ability to prepare pleadings and witness statements for the Court;
• Excellent administration skills, organisation, including own diary management;
• Competent in all MS applications, to include Word, Excel and Outlook;
• Confident communication skills at all levels with the ability to communicate in “plain
English”;
• Have a methodical approach, with good attention to detail;
• Possess a strong customer service ethic with the ability to empathise with clients;
• Good time management skills and able to deal with more than one task at a time;
• Able to work with limited supervision;
• Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines;
• Able to prioritise a heavy workload;
• Be a supportive team player and willing to assist others;
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, tenacious and approachable;
• Be willing to learn;
• Be assertive and confident with dealing with people at all levels;
• Be calm and professional at all times;
• Be punctual and flexible. If you have capacity, you may be required to help other
departments, or team members.
Desirable skills
• Successful completion of the LPC or studying the LPC part time;
• Have experience of dealing with RPs/private landlords;
• Some experience in a similar role;
• Have experience of dealing with the County Court;
• Knowledge of DMS (Document Management System);
• Knowledge of Partners for Windows (time recording system).