About the Role
AJ Chambers are working with a top law firm who have a vacancy for a Legal Secretary within their Real Estate department based in their Reading office.
The role is part of a job share working 3 days a week, fully office based.
Key Skills/Qualifications:
• RSA stage 1 or 2; Min. 60wpm with min. 80% accuracy; Audio and copy typing skills
• Good written and spoken English; polite professional telephone skills;
• Good working knowledge of word
• Confidentiality essential
Experience Requirements:
• Specialist property legal experience and good general secretarial experience essential
• Excellent organisational skills
• Pays attention to detail
• Team player
• Well organised
• Flexible – willingness to work late if needed
• Able to work effectively under pressure / meet tight deadlines
• Able to adapt to new technologies and working methods
• Professional and confident approach
• Enthusiastic, friendly and helpful
• Pro-active and able to use initiative
• Good communicator
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB
• Types, corrects and amends a variety of legal correspondence and documentation, high volume of typing
• General administration duties including, keeping case/client files up to date; creating new files; referencing; general filing. Ensuring familiarity with lawyer's clients & cases
• Professionally answering internal and external telephone calls and efficient message taking
• Keeps own and lawyers diaries up to date. Book meeting rooms as necessary
• In solicitors absence checks post/voicemail and email ensuring urgent matters are dealt with
• Provides holiday/absence and pressure cover for other secretaries as needed
• Prepare client bills for lawyer review and approval. May undertake chargeable work as directed by lawyer
• Is familiar with and adheres to firm's policies and procedures
• Willing to undertake all jobs to ensure smooth running of office
Other
• Undertaking online and paper searches (knowledge of all searches and how to apply for them is very important e.g. Index Map Searches, commercial drainage and water enquiries etc)
• Amending leases, contracts and reports. Collating documentation ready to send out to client
• Obtaining precedents from books or online
• Land Registry applications
• Prepare draft SDLT returns
• Submit SDLT returns on line
• Undertaking billing monthly including preparation for narratives from the system
• Letters and emails
• Managing monthly reporting for major clients
• Regular updating of deeds bible for major clients
Overall knowledge of a whole general commercial property transaction is also quite important.