Paralegal

Closing date: 01/02/2018
Experience level: Intermediate
Term: Temporary
Duration: 12 months fixed term
Working hours: Full-time (9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday)
Team: Property Litigation
Location: Milton Keynes
The firm

Shoosmiths - UK Law Firm of the Year Winner at the Legal Week British Legal Awards 2015.

A leading UK law firm with a network of offices from the South Coast to Scotland, working together as one national team. An innovative practice and the first top 100 law firm to achieve “Gold Standard” Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. The lack of barriers between departments, a real lack of hierarchy, zero tolerance for arrogance and pomposity makes Shoosmiths a fantastic place to work.

The team

Our national Property Litigation team has extensive experience and unrivalled expertise in dealing with this complex area of the law. With one of the largest property litigation practices in the UK, we are able to assist clients in all areas of landlord and tenant litigation, and in any real estate dispute. We act, for example, in connection with break notices; dilapidations; forfeiture; land registration disputes; issues relating to landlord's consent; lease renewals; possession claims; recovery of rent and other arrears; rights to light and other easement disputes; service charge issues; property related insolvency; and restrictive covenants. We also advise on a number of niche areas of law, including property related telecommunications issues, judicial review, and agricultural law. Our clients include household names in the retail and leisure sectors, investment landlords, developers of both commercial and residential land, local authorities, and other public bodies.

The role

You will be required to work within a busy team assisting all team members with their work in providing a comprehensive and quality service for our clients.

The individual will assist the solicitors within the team with the management and running of client files.  You will also assist with research, the drafting of documents and letters, and carry out searches within the Land Registry and Companies House.  You will also assist with the preparation of court documents, witness statements and associated documents, and solid drafting skills are essential.  You will also be expected to assist with administrative and business development tasks as required.    

Skills and qualifications

The successful candidate will have studied to degree level and ideally will be able to demonstrate a background within Property Litigation.  Previous experience within the area would be an advantage but if not essential.  Prior knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook preferred, although full training will be given.

The successful candidate will also have high standards of personal organisation with the ability to work independently and also as part of a team, strong communication and time management skills and a determination to succeed.  The individual must have a good attention for detail when dealing with e.g. file management and document production and have the ability to use their own initiative and manage their own work load. 

Equal opportunities

Shoosmiths is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.