Paralegal – Operations

The job role
As Paralegal, you will contribute to our vision of being the leading residential real estate services provider in UK & Ireland by supporting our security initiatives to protect our people, processes, and platforms.

• Assisting the Operations function of the Legal department in providing clear, commercial and effective legal advice.
• Supporting the relevant business areas when required, with focus on legal property management, property disputes, litigation, and compliance.
• Helping to provide accurate internal and external reports for a variety of stakeholders.

This role reports to the Head of Legal.
Main Responsibilities

• Assisting the Operations division of the Legal team with all aspects of legal work, including in the initial investigation of queries, complaints, requests for advice, and threatened or actual claims against FirstPort
• Playing a key role in reporting and risk control/monitoring
• Attending to routine correspondence
• Assisting with preparation of documents as required
• Scope to carry own caseload, subject to supervision, dealing with provision of advice to colleagues within the business, as well as to conduct litigation and pre-action disputes brought against companies within the business
• Instruction and liaison with external counsel on outsourced cases
• Assisting with drafting and/or reviewing various property documents, including but not limited to Leases, Deeds, Consents and Licences (including retrospective agreements involving alterations, subletting or assignment)

Skills and Experience

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Legal Practice Course certificate (desirable but not essential)
• Prior experience in-house or in private practice dealing principally with property litigation/dispute resolution and/or property related matters
• Experience in the residential property sector with exposure to the leasehold property market and/or residential property management is highly desirable
• Experience in property related litigation/disputes and in particular breach of covenant and residential service charge recovery is desirable
• Knowledge of Right to Manage (“RTM”) work desirable
• Good up to date working knowledge of Landlord & Tenant legislation and regulations affecting service charge is desirable
• Good up to date working knowledge of civil litigation and enforcement including latest developments is desirable
• Experience of drafting and negotiating leases, deeds, licences, and other documents would be desirable

The Benefits
Our customers deserve the best and the same applies to our people.  We’ll support you with all of the technology, training and support that you need to do your job well.  We offer competitive salaries and a range of benefit packages. In addition to the core benefits, we also offer a range of exclusive discounts on extra benefits to help you and your family make the most of your money, safeguard your future and look after your health.
Diversity
We’re committed to promoting diversity at FirstPort and recruit on merit.  We will consider applications from job share applicants.
Ready to Apply?
Click the below apply button to start your application for this role.  We will ask you to upload your CV and answer a few questions.
If you meet the criteria for the role we’ll be in touch to arrange a short telephone interview and our shortlist of candidates will be invited to attend interviews with the hiring manager and up to three other key stakeholders.