Senior Paralegal - Property Litigation

Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world’s most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve ‘Platinum Standard’ Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.

Our national Property Litigation team has extensive experience and unrivalled expertise in dealing with this complex area of the law. With one of the largest property litigation practices in the UK, we are able to assist clients in all areas of landlord and tenant litigation, and in any real estate dispute. We act, for example, in connection with break notices; dilapidations; forfeiture; land registration disputes; issues relating to landlord's consent; lease renewals; possession claims; recovery of rent and other arrears; rights to light and other easement disputes; service charge issues; property related insolvency; and restrictive covenants. We also advise on a number of niche areas of law, including property related telecommunications issues, judicial review, and agricultural law. Our clients include household names in the retail and leisure sectors, investment landlords, developers of both commercial and residential land, local authorities, and other public bodies.

This role sits within the national residential litigation team as part of the sub-team specialising in residential possession work for landlords. The candidate will provide legal advice to, and act on behalf of, private landlord and insurance clients in respect of recovering possession of residential properties let on assured shorthold tenancies, assured tenancies, rent act tenancies and common law tenancies.

Skills and qualifications

• At least 2 years' previous experience in residential possession work (ideally for landlords) is essential.
• The candidate will be expected to have detailed knowledge of the procedures and legal requirements for recovering possession of properties let on the types of tenancies set out above.
• Experience of dealing with defended actions to include disrepair claims is desirable but not essential.
• Law Degree, LPC or completed/working towards CILEX qualification would be preferable, but not essential provide the candidate has sufficient experience in residential possession work.
• Excellent client care skills.
• Self-confidence and ability to demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to grasp things quickly and easily.
• Enthusiastic, energetic with a positive, can do attitude.
• Good working knowledge of various applications – word, excel, outlook, case management systems.
• Taking care and attention into all correspondence and documentation.
• Used to high volume work with tight turnaround times.
• Flexible with the ability to adapt to change, new practices and remain calm under pressure and find solutions.
• Excellent presentation skills reflected in their work.
• A methodical and organised approach with keen attention paid to every detail.
• Good organisational skills to ensure that the tasks are effectively scheduled within working time available, and that urgent work is completed and returned within the specified timescales.
• Friendly and helpful approach to dealing with queries.
• Able to integrate within a team as well as working on one’s own initiative.
• Ability to deliver a quality service to both internal and external clients.

Equal opportunities

Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.