Paralegal (Private Property)

About Withersworldwide

Withersworldwide has been acting for successful individuals, families and institutions for 125 years.  We advise clients on the full range of their business, personal and philanthropic legal needs, both at home and abroad. With offices in the key financial centres of Europe, Asia-Pacific, the United States and the Caribbean, we provide coverage and services that other law firms focussed on the needs of the individual cannot.  We have represented 66% of the Top 100 in The Sunday Times Rich List, 25% of the Forbes 400 List, 35% of the Hong Kong Forbes Rich List and 35% of Forbes Asia's Richest Families list.

The Department

Our global base includes clients buying and selling family homes, city pied-à-terre, country estates and cottages, clients with international property interests, landed estate owners, residential developers, and both individual and commercial investors building up residential real estate portfolios.

Residential Property

The team advises both domestic and international clients on buying and selling residential real estate, residential development sites in the UK and provides a range of services relating to the acquisition and holding of real estate assets.  In addition, we manage acquisitions in other foreign jurisdictions and co-ordinate advice on tax-efficient structures for holding. 

Many of our clients spend substantial sums on developing and renovating their real estate and we assist in the negotiation and appointment of designers, architects and other professionals, as well as guiding them through the complexities of obtaining the necessary permits. Where properties are to be let out (leased), we advise both landlords and tenants on issues surrounding short-term rental agreements.

Landed Estates

As well as acting on a wide range of transactions including estates, country houses, grouse moors, we also focus increasingly on commercial requirements of landed clients, and help devise innovative solutions to problems associated with owning country land in the 21st century. Issues range from inheritance tax planning, land management issues, agricultural tenancies, boundary disputes, land development opportunities involving leisure and tourism and the political sensitivities relating to conservation and the environment.

The Role

The Private Property team have a high profile in both the landed estates and the London residential property market, and we have a fantastic opportunity for a Paralegal to join the team.

With a team of more than 20 lawyers drawn from different areas within the firm, we are able to provide multidisciplinary advice for landowners, whether they hold private rural property, historic estates with houses open to the public, or newly acquired farms.

Areas of focus and responsibilities (this is a broad but not exhaustive list):

• Assisting on all aspects of residential property purchase (some new build) and sale files
• Negotiating Licences to Alter and Deeds of Variation
• Drafting basic Tenancy Agreements and Licences to Occupy
• Preparing SDLT forms
• Preparing Land Registry Forms and Applications
• Dealing with Land Registry requisitions
• Preparing completion statements and cash statements
• Reconciling matter balances, closing files and archiving

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Person Specification

• Previous experience working as a Paralegal is desirable
• Familiarity with technology e.g. excel
• Excellent research skills
• Be able to work as part of a team
• Strong academics
• Good written and communication skills

The Essentials

• Working hours: 9.30am – 5.30pm but flexibility is a must
• 12-week probation period
• 4 weeks' notice period
• Flexible benefit package

For further information, please contact the recruitment team.

Information for Recruitment Agencies

We endeavour to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, we operate a preferred supplier list ('PSL') and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement

It is our policy to provide equal opportunities for all employees/prospective employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.  Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability.

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