Paralegal (Property)

Paralegal (Property) – Salary £27k

ABOUT US

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity.  We want to see a UK rich in native woods and trees, for people and wildlife. The Trust aims to engage and inspire people about woods and trees to help us meet our vision of creating, restoring, and protecting woodland. But we can't achieve our vision without you! The Legal team is growing, and we need a Paralegal to join our team! This is an excellent opportunity for a graduate looking to start or continue a career in law and to gain valuable and unique experience whilst supporting and enabling the work of a leading charity.

THE ROLE

The paralegal will work with experienced solicitors and legal executives directly to support them on legal matters.  Tasks will include assisting solicitors with due diligence including lodging searches and reporting on results, carrying out land registry investigations including downloading LR registers and title plans, reviewing archived property files, raising purchase orders for searches, effecting land registry registrations, effectively dealing with land registry requisitions, arranging circulation of documentation for sealing and signing, ensuring hard copy documents are archived correctly. The role may also include responsibility for own mixed caseload of property matters including licences to assign and sublet and some commercial matters such as non-disclosure agreements and variation agreements under supervision.  This will include responsibility for drafting and negotiating agreements and correspondence with in house colleagues and third-party firms of solicitors and parties.  There will also be opportunities to undertake research on a variety of matters from changes to legislation to caselaw and practice. The Paralegal will provide administrative and legal support of key importance to the effectiveness of the Legal Services Team. Administrative duties will include monitoring the legal services inbox and responding to queries from in house clients and third parties under the direction of the Head of Legal Services.

THE CANDIDATE

Ideally, you will have some legal experience preferably in property law and have successfully completed your LLB/LPC/GDL.

We are looking for someone with excellent communication and organisational skills. You will ideally have some experience working in a legal environment in house or in private practice. You will be a motivated self-starter able to manage your own caseload and support colleagues. You will have strong research skills and good drafting skills. You will have experience of property procedure and practice.  You will have strong Word skills and ability to effectively format documents.  You will be highly organised with a keen eye for attention to detail. You’ll possess exceptional communication skills and will be able to work collaboratively within a team. We are looking for someone who is passionate and eager to gain experience in an in house setting to further their career!

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

There’s no other organisation like the Woodland Trust. Whatever you do here you will be supporting our work to protect and enhance woods and trees. In return, we recognise and value our people. You'll have our full support, training and opportunities for professional development, along with contributory pension, life assurance and good holiday entitlement.