We are looking for an experienced paralegal to join our exciting and growing Commercial Property Department to work within our Property Finance team. The right candidate will demonstrate high levels of accuracy, knowledge of firms and departmental needs and procedures, ensure deadlines are met and be a keen team player.

This role will report directly to the Team Leader of the Property Finance team.

Principle duties & Responsibilities

Undertaking work under supervision of lawyers as delegated by them, to include:

• Team Tasks
• Being proactive in dealing with team tasks
• Assisting with quote requests
• Reviewing initial instructions from client banks
• Carrying out initial communication (verbal and written) with all parties including banks, other side solicitors and brokers
• Identifying early issues on instructions and advising all parties on options available
• Drafting and/or reviewing of security paperwork
• Issuing security paperwork and checking executed versions are correct
• Carrying out pre completion searches
• Dealing with transfer of funds and completion of other fee earner files
• Assisting with producing weekly or monthly managing information reports to client banks

Title Insurance Conveyancing

• Reviewing initial lending and title paperwork
• Identification of any title insurance issues and resolving satisfactorily
• Complying with title insurance requirements and any bank standard requirements (where applicable)
• Identification of any title issues (not covered by title insurance) and resolve satisfactorily
• Identification of any elements that fall outside of title insurance due to known risks and/or disclosures made and/or instructions from lender and resolve satisfactorily
• Liaise with the lender/borrower/borrower’s solicitor/broker to achieve satisfaction of all requirements, both legal and lender
• Ensure specified/necessary security documents are obtained and properly executed (with such ancillary documentation as is appropriate)
• Ensure arrangements are in place to enable registration of the Transfer (if applicable) and the lender’s charge
• Obtain applicable and adequate undertakings from the borrower’s solicitor
• Preparing certificate of title and completion
• Attend to registration of the applicable documents within any relevant time periods

Full Due Diligence Conveyancing (subject to regular supervision from a solicitor within the team)

• Detailed review of facility letter, valuation report and CML requirements (where appropriate)
• Complying with bank standard requirements (where applicable)
• Investigation of title, searches, planning position, enquiries and any ancillary documentation
• Raising enquiries as appropriate of the borrower’s solicitor
• Ensure adequacy of transactional documents (if any)
• Ensure adequacy of occupational documents (if any)
• Check or obtain suitable indemnity insurance on a bespoke basis for the benefit of the lender (where required)
• Liaise with the lender/borrower/borrower’s solicitor/broker to achieve satisfaction of all requirements, both legal and lender
• Advising lender on additional conditions precedent needed and drafting required documentation to put in place
• Ensure specified/necessary security documents are obtained and properly executed (with such ancillary documentation as is appropriate)
• Ensure arrangements are in place to enable registration of the transfer (if applicable) and the lender’s charge
• Obtain applicable and adequate undertakings from the borrower’s solicitor
• Preparing report of title and completion
• Attend to registration of the applicable documents within any relevant time periods

The Candidate

The successful candidate must possess the following attributes:

• Prior experience as a paralegal, ideally in property finance/property
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise accordingly
• The ability to work well under pressure to tight deadlines
• Excellent attention to detail
• The ability to work independently and devise solutions to issues encountered
• The ability to work in a proactive mode when undertaking team tasks
• Ability to learn quickly and follow team procedures
• Strong understanding of legal process
• Excellent IT skills – good typing skills and navigation of PC
• Professionalism when working with colleagues, senior partners, lawyers and clients
• Ability to generate own work, conduct some business development would be preferred
• A desire to learn and develop

The Property Finance Team is made up of 3 partners, 1 senior associate, 3 associates, 3 solicitors, 4 paralegals, supported by a secretary and 3 administrators.

You’ll work alongside like-minded ambitious, friendly and supportive professionals to enable you to succeed in your career.

As a firm we strongly encourage a work-life balance and have various initiatives in place to make sure you’re supported. This support is far reaching and includes a mentorship programme, wellbeing initiatives and social activities.

We actively encourage open and transparent working environments across the firm so there is space for you to flourish as an individual.

Both of our offices are situated in the heart of a City, within walking distance from a train station, high street shops and green spaces. Winchester has a cathedral and a river running through it, whilst Southampton has a thriving port, a 10 minute walk from the office.