Conveyancing Assistant | Gloucester | Permanent | Full Time | £25,000
Job Summary
Our client 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. They 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.
Reporting Line
This role reports to the Head of Department.
Job Purpose
A Conveyancing Assistant in the Residential New Homes Department to assist with the conveyancing of new build homes and provide support to the Head of Department, Conveyancers and Junior Paralegal.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. To assist with issuing quotes on our App, opening new files and onboarding clients.
2. Assisting the clients, developers and brokers with any queries either by telephone or email.
3. Photocopying, scanning.
4. To exhibit flexibility, particularly during peak times of the year.
5. Updating developer spreadsheets and work lists on OneDrive.
6. Updating our App as and when key stages are met and assisting clients with any queries they encounter with the App.
7. Checking the client's initial documentation and identifying the procedures necessary for each individual client i.e. writing to donors, ISAs/LISAs, identifying related sales, search requirements, SDLT exemptions/higher rates etc.
8. 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.
9. Requesting payment on account from clients.
10. Checking the draft Contract documentation accurately reflects clients correct names and addresses and purchase price.
11. Arranging Search Insurance or obtaining Local, Environmental and/or Drainage Searches depending on client/lender requirements.
12. Sending standard correspondence to clients.
13. Drafting Stamp Duty Land Tax form in preparation for report to client.
14. Writing to clients and solicitors confirming exchange.
15. Advising clients when notice to complete has been served.
16. Obtaining OS2 and Bankruptcy searches and downloading the search results onto case file and lender portals.
17. Obtaining closing statements from clients and ordering ISA/LISA funds.
18. Ordering redemption statements from lenders on sales.
19. Setting up completions with Accounts Department i.e. bills, echits etc.
20. Providing the client with completion statements once checked by Accounts Dept.
21. On completion ensuring submission and payment of SDLT is made to HMRC.
22. Arranging completion letters to client and solicitors, sending deeds etc on sales to solicitors.
23. Submitting END1s/DS1s to existing lenders/HTB on sales.
24. Submitting the AP1 and adding the matter to Post Completion spreadsheet on One Drive.
25. Assisting with training new Paralegals/Junior Paralegals to the Departmental standards.
The following tasks provide a general overview of the types of activity the candidate will be expected to engage in or oversee on a day-to-day basis. The tasks are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities as all employees are required to be flexible, dynamic and have the capacity to think creatively when presented with challenges.
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
1. Experience of working as a Conveyancing Paralegal or Assistant in a conveyancing department (ideally with New Builds).
2. Experience working in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
3. Experience of completing administrative tasks.
4. Self-organised and proactive.
5. Excellent attention to detail.
6. Ability to maintain client confidentiality.
7. Adaptable to the needs of the business as changes occur during the operational requirements.
8. Competence in the effective use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT).
9. The ability to prioritise, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
10. Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
11. Ability to be flexible.
12. Experience of working within residential conveyancing is useful but not essential as full 'on the job' training will be provided.
For further information, please contact Rhian Mountjoy.
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