Assistant Conveyancer

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.

Shoosmiths Private Client Conveyancing Team offers a highly professional conveyancing service designed to make the process of buying or selling property as efficient and stress-free for their clients.

Shoosmiths remains the largest firm of conveyancing solicitors accredited under the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme. The conveyancing service provided by our Private Client Practice maintains the same high standards corporate clients have come to expect of Shoosmiths and is consistently commended in national consumer service awards.

To be expert in the technical and legal elements of freehold and leasehold conveyancing transactions and provide a quality and comprehensive conveyancing service with a customer service focus, working in accordance with Shoosmiths Values and Agreed Behaviours. To continue to develop technical knowledge to be able to progress to the Conveyancer or Conveyancing Manager role.

• To be familiar with or have an awareness of all aspects of the Senior Case Handler role and adhere to the Performance Standards below.
• Check all freehold, unregistered and leasehold titles and be able to deal with all elements of these transactions with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate ability to recognise problems, difficult and complex issues and refer these appropriately/seek guidance with a view to always mitigating the risk and resulting exposure to the firm.
• Ensure that files are run in an orderly manner with minimum administrative and accounting errors.  Assist Conveyancing Manager with housekeeping and audits when required.
• Attend any training sessions arranged by the Department at the reasonable request of a Team Manager including external training courses to remain fully up to date with changes in the law and conveyancing procedures.
• Be aware of associated areas of law such as Probate, Insolvency, and Matrimonial which may affect transactions.
• Competently draft non-standard correspondence of a technical nature.
• Manage time effectively to maximise assistance given to Conveyancing Managers.
• Cover for absent Conveyancing Managers role by proactively working on all files, maintaining relationships with key work providers and also checking the Case Handlers work in the Conveyancing Managers absence.
• Become familiar with the wider aspects of the housing and conveyancing markets.
• Attend meetings as reasonably required and assist in implementing agreed departmental procedures.
• Seek opportunities to win new work providers in all dealings with independent estate agents and deliver excellent professional customer service to all parties involved in transactions.
• Develop knowledge in checking new build contracts and shared ownership transactions; and drafting legal deeds and declarations.

• Dress appropriately and deal with all contacts in a professional manner.
• Act at all times in accordance with the Firm’s Values as defined in the ‘How to live our Values’ document
• Treat colleagues, clients and suppliers with equal respect.
• Arrive punctually at the office each day and to cover the hours required by the rota for Saturdays
• Show flexibility to deal with additional demands during busy periods.

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.