Property Paralegal – Residential Conveyancing
Location: St Albans
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: £25,000 – £28,000 per annum, depending on experience
Role Overview
An opportunity has arisen for an organised and proactive Property Paralegal to join a busy residential conveyancing team in St Albans. The successful candidate will have a minimum of two years’ experience in a law firm and will be capable of assisting with a broad range of residential sales, purchases and post-completion matters, under the supervision of a fee earner.
This role will suit a candidate who is methodical, client-focused and able to manage a varied workload efficiently. The successful applicant should be ready to contribute from the outset and support the team in progressing matters from instruction through to post-completion.
Key Responsibilities
General Conveyancing Support
- Assist fee earners with the day-to-day management of residential conveyancing files.
- Open new files and carry out initial administrative procedures in accordance with the firm’s policies.
- Undertake client due diligence, source of funds/source of wealth checks and other compliance procedures as required.
- Prepare client care documentation and ensure files are maintained accurately and in good order.
- Keep case management systems and internal records fully updated.
- Liaise with clients, estate agents, mortgage brokers, lenders, solicitors and management companies in a professional and timely manner.
- Monitor key dates, deadlines and undertakings to ensure matters progress efficiently.
- Deal with routine telephone and email enquiries and provide regular updates to clients and third parties.
Sales Transactions
With appropriate supervision from a fee earner, the role will include:
- Drafting and issuing contract packs.
- Obtaining official copies and title documents from HM Land Registry.
- Ordering freehold and leasehold management information packs.
- Corresponding with landlords, managing agents and management companies.
- Requesting redemption statements from lenders.
- Reviewing enquiries raised by the buyer’s solicitors and preparing draft replies for approval.
- Assisting clients in providing information and documents required to respond to enquiries.
- Liaising with estate agents and clients regarding transaction progress.
- Preparing transfer documentation for approval.
- Assisting with exchange of contracts.
- Attending to completion and dealing with associated administrative steps.
- Assisting with the discharge of mortgages and other sale-related formalities.
Purchase Transactions
With appropriate supervision from a fee earner, the role will include:
- Ordering conveyancing searches and monitoring results.
- Reviewing search result and reporting relevant issues to the fee earner.
- Reviewing mortgage offers and identifying key conditions for the fee earner’s attention.
- Reviewing replies to enquiries and supporting the fee earner in raising any follow-up enquiries.
- Liaising with clients, estate agents, lenders and brokers regarding transaction progress.
- Drafting transfer deeds and other ancillary conveyancing documents.
- Drafting deeds of covenant, notices and other leasehold documentation where required.
- Preparing draft property reports and title documentation for approval by the fee earner.
- The preparation and drafting completion statements.
- Carrying out pre-exchange and pre-completion searches, including priority and bankruptcy searches.
- Assisting with exchange of contracts.
- Preparing and submitting certificates of title to lenders, where appropriate.
- Assisting with completion, including requesting mortgage funds and preparing completion packs.
- Coordinating completion arrangements with all parties and ensuring funds are dealt with promptly and accurately.
- Preparation and drafting of completion statements.
Post-Completion Matters
- Drafting and submitting SDLT returns within the relevant time limits.
- Preparing and submitting AP1 applications.
- Preparing and submitting first registration applications.
- Drafting RX forms and other Land Registry forms as required.
- Dealing with straightforward HM Land Registry requisitions.
- Serving notices on landlords and management companies where required.
- Updating lender portals and attending to post-completion lender requirements.
- Ensuring completed registration documents are sent to clients and lenders as appropriate.
- Closing files in accordance with firm procedures, including archiving and final file checks.
Candidate Requirements
- A minimum of two years’ experience working in a law firm.
- Previous experience handling residential conveyancing matters, including both sales and purchases.
- Good working knowledge of the conveyancing process from instruction to post-completion.
- Experience of dealing with leasehold transactions would be advantageous.
- Familiarity with HM Land Registry procedures and SDLT requirements.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise a busy workload.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- A high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- A professional and client-focused approach.
- Confidence in working both independently and as part of a team.
- Competence in using case management systems and standard Microsoft Office applications.
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Experience of dealing with management companies and leasehold property transactions.
- Experience of preparing first registration applications.
- Familiarity with lender portals and mortgage lender requirements.
- Previous experience of handling straightforward Land Registry requisitions.
- An understanding of law firm compliance procedures, including anti-money laundering requirements.
Personal Attributes
- Exceptionally organised and methodical.
- Able to work calmly under pressure and to tight deadlines.
- Proactive and willing to take ownership of tasks.
- Reliable, adaptable and commercially aware.
- Committed to providing a high standard of client service.
Summary
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Property Paralegal seeking a full-time role within a residential conveyancing team in St Albans. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting fee earners across a varied caseload and ensuring transactions progress smoothly and efficiently
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