Solicitor – Real Estate

Key Tasks

• Ensure usage of KM’s Service Level Agreements with differing clients
• To give estimates of costs to new clients using KM’s fee scale
• To take initial instructions for Sale and Purchase of residential matters
• To open files and progress matters in line with departmental procedures
• To undertake administrative work on files including letter and form production and photocopying as required
• To liaise with clients, estate agents, commercial agents, mortgage lenders and solicitors by telephone, post, e-mail or in person, as necessary, at every stage of the transaction
• To manage a range of property matters from initial instruction through to matter conclusion
• To undertake any additional delegated tasks including dealing with pre exchange of contract work, title reports, searches, raising enquiries etc
• To manage post-exchange work and registrations, including completion statements
• To manage post-completion work including stamping of documents, Registration and Scheduling of Deeds
• To maintain your own diary and handle matters arising, in liaison with other Legal Advisers
• To cover the residential property work of other Legal Advisers in their absence and assist where possible in relation to all other property related enquiries
• To ensure the confidentiality of all the firm’s and clients’ documentation
• To undertake any specific training when required to do so and overall to have a responsibility towards self-development
• To achieve agreed levels of time-recording (as appropriate) in conjunction with the Marketing team, to contribute to business development activity and networking events
• To provide support to other Legal Advisers and Assistants in the Residential Property Departments, as may be required
• To undertake any other tasks as may be required from time to time relating to residential property matters.

Knowledge & Skills Required

• efficient and well organised, with good control of diary systems and competent in the firm’s computer facilities;
• ideally a qualified Solicitor with at least 4 years’ PQE but applications will be considered from those with alternative relevant qualifications or who can demonstrate equivalent skills and experience;
• excellent knowledge of residential property processes and procedures;
• effective oral and written communication skills;
• pleasant and positive manner in dealing with colleagues and clients;
• ability to evaluate a situation in the face of time constraints and react appropriately;
• good time management, file organisation and personal organisation;
• working in a team, sometimes referring cases to the head of department;
• supervising and delegating work to trainee solicitors, paralegals and legal secretaries as appropriate;
• arranging and attending further client meetings where necessary to progress with the case and finalise documentation;
• checking all documentation prior to signing and implementing;
• calculating claims for damages, compensation, maintenance, etc;
• administrative duties, e.g. completing time sheets so that charges for work can be calculated and billing clients for work done on their behalf;
• taking referrals from other firms of solicitors when a conflict of interest arises or if they have no specialist practitioner available;
• keeping up to date with changes and developments in the law by reading journals and law reports;
• undertaking a range of continuing professional development (CPD) activities;
• be involved in the firm’s marketing activities generally.