Senior Paralegal in Leatherhead, Surrey

ESP operates as an Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO), Independent Gas Transporter (IGT), New Appointment and Variation (NAV) and Energy Services Company (ESCo) in the highly competitive sectors of electricity, gas, water/sewage and heat. We own and operate over 900,000 electricity, gas and water assets providing “last mile” connectivity to residential and commercial premises. Our business model is to adopt networks constructed by our accredited partners and to operate and manage these networks safely and efficiently. These arrangements are subject to contractual and legal arrangements which must be robust and well managed to ensure best outcomes for ESP.

Role Purpose

This role is responsible for:

• Managing and negotiating land rights and water/sewage adoption transactions from instruction to completion.
• Supervising junior members of the legal team on land rights matters.
• Identifying risk in relation to legal matters and developing and implementing appropriate mitigations.
• Assisting with the resolution of complex legal matters.
• Assisting with the general/commercial contracts function of the business on an ad-hoc basis and where there is residual capacity.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing utilities leases, transfers and wayleaves, from instruction to completion.
• Provide ad-hoc legal advice and support to ESP colleagues relating to legal matters.
• Provide instructions to external counsel on land rights projects.
• Develop and draft bespoke contracts terms for land rights where appropriate to reflect the needs of ESP.
• Be involved in the negotiation of the legal framework supporting major and minor Gas/Electricity/Water/Heat schemes which are nationally significant.
• Supervise Paralegals and Legal Assistants on land rights transactions, helping them assess the risk of proposed amendments to ESP deeds/leases.
• Interact with internal and external stakeholders to provide updates and guidance on the status of legal matters.

Person Specification

• Experience managing and negotiating leasehold and freehold purchase and sales.
• Experience dealing with easements, deeds of covenants, licences to alter.
• Experience dealing with the legalities of large scale residential and/or commercial developments.
• Commercial contract negotiation experience (desirable).
• Experience within the energy and/or utility sector (desirable).
• Experience supervising or managing junior members of staff (desirable).
• Strong communication and inter-personal skills with the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues and external parties.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strongly analytical, with well-developed problem-solving skills and proficient with MS Office.
• A good organiser with a natural ability to plan and organise to achieve objectives and targets.

Qualifications:

• Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (or working towards), or Qualified Solicitor or Conveyancer.

Benefits include:

• Holidays: 26 days, going up to 27 after 3 years and up to 28 after 5 years of employment. The company gives you the opportunity to buy/sell up to 3 days per year.
• Bonus.
• Enhanced Pension.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Company training programmes to help you develop.
• Employee Rewards Portal: access to exclusive discounts and flexible benefits such as Cycle to Work and EV car Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Enhanced Family Friendly benefits: Enhanced maternity and paternity pay and paid time off when receiving fertility treatment.
• Volunteering day: one day a year fully paid.