Conveyancing Assistant in Chorley

We are seeking an experienced Conveyancing Paralegal to join our client's busy residential property team. The successful candidate will manage a varied caseload of residential conveyancing matters, providing excellent client care, pragmatic legal support and efficient case management across a broad client portfolio. This role offers the opportunity to work within a supportive firm that values professional development, collaboration and high standards of service. The position will involve supporting fee earners, liaising with clients and third parties, and contributing to continuous improvement of processes and precedents. This role will provide exposure to a wide range of residential property matters including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, remortgages, transfers of equity, lease extensions, right to buy, shared ownership and title rectification. The post will also involve dealing with post-completion matters, SDLT, Land Registry applications and managing mortgage lender requirements.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage a personal caseload of residential conveyancing matters from matter opening through to completion and post-completion, ensuring transactions progress efficiently and clients are kept informed at every stage.
• Liaise with clients, solicitors, estate agents, mortgage brokers, lenders, surveyors and Land Registry to obtain required information, resolve issues and achieve timely completions.
• Prepare and review completion statements, transfer deeds, contract packs, SDLT returns and Land Registry applications in accordance with firm and client requirements.
• Conduct property searches, requisitions on title, review title documents and advise fee earners on title issues and potential risks arising from searches, deeds and charges.
• Deal with mortgage lender documentation and conditions, obtain redemption figures, manage remortgage administration and liaise with lenders and brokers to resolve queries.
• Ensure compliance with client verification and anti-money laundering (AML) procedures, performing ID checks, source of funds checks and maintaining audit-ready files.
• Prepare client care letters, fee estimates and billing information, supporting timely billing and accurate record keeping in line with firm policies.
• Assist with leasehold matters including management information, service charge enquiries, lease extensions and notice requirements, liaising with managing agents and freeholders as required.
• Progress post-completion matters such as SDLT payment, registering transfers and mortgages at the Land Registry and dealing with title issues and post-completion enquiries.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of precedents, workflows and checklists, identifying opportunities to improve processes and promote efficient digital working practices.
• Support and, where appropriate, supervise more junior paralegals or administrative staff, contributing to training and knowledge sharing within the team.

Key skills and experience required:

• Proven experience working as a conveyancing paralegal or legal assistant within residential property, with a solid understanding of the lifecycle of sales, purchases and remortgages.
• Practical experience preparing contract packs, transfers, SDLT returns and Land Registry applications, and managing lender requirements.
• Good knowledge of landlord and tenant issues relevant to leasehold transactions and experience dealing with managing agents and service charge information.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify title and search issues, escalate matters appropriately and ensure documentation is accurate.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to maintain professional relationships with clients and third parties, managing expectations and providing clear updates.
• Demonstrable commitment to compliance with AML and client identification requirements, maintaining audit-ready files and clear file records.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing workloads, manage deadlines and maintain high standards under pressure.
• Proactive and client-focused with a willingness to contribute to team initiatives, process improvement and business development activities.
• Proficiency with case management systems and common office IT applications; willingness to learn firm systems and adopt efficient digital workflows.