Paralegal / Legal Assistant

The highly regarded Real Estate Securitisation team is seeking a Senior Paralegal/Legal Assistant to work with the team to help our national clients, consisting of Housing Associations and other mainly charitable organisations, in mortgaging their property assets as security. The team is exposed to all types of funding from high street bank lending to debt capital markets and bond issues. The work involves large portfolio charging of a client's housing stock ranging from 20 dwellings up to several thousands of dwellings. The work is fast paced requiring a high degree of accuracy, organisation and team working skills. The role includes the following:

• Selecting properties for searches to be carried out on and obtaining quotes for searches.
• Reviewing title plans and Land Registry map search and associated mapping technology.
• Reviewing and reporting on search results (Local Authority Con29 and LLC1, drainage and water, environmental, chancel, coal and brine).
• Drafting Land Registry application (such as AP1, CH2, DS1s, RX4, RX3) and submitting the same.
• Applying to register Fixed Charges at the FCA.
• Liaising with indemnity insurance providers and obtaining quotes.
• Liaising with lenders in respect of the release of charges.
• Reviewing title registers and title documents.
• Reviewing buildings insurance policy documents.
• Reviewing and checking planning permissions and discharge of planning conditions.
• Reviewing new home structural warranties such as NHBC and building regulation completion certificates to ensure all properties are covered.
• Populating the condition precedent documents with property lists (such as legal mortgage and security certificate).
• Checking section agreements (such as s38 roadway and s104 drainage adoption agreements).
• Cross checking valuations to ensure all properties are included in the valuation (using excel and V-Look up and other commands).
• Liaising with Valuers in respect of the valuation.
• Attending to post completion matters to check title registers have had the charge correctly registered following registration at the Land Registry.
• Assisting the team on aspects of the securitisation process with the aim of eventually being able to draft disclosures within certificates of title.
• Working closely with other teams within the firm, engaged in banking, funding and development.
  
  Experience in Social Housing Property charging or 3+ years in the Residential/Development sector is essential for a senior paralegal role. Where the level of experience is less, the role would be Legal Assistant
• A very good attention to detail.
• Organisational skills with the ability to prioritise work tasks effectively.
• The ability to work within a team with other fee earners.
• Good written skills and to communicate in a professional manner with clients, colleagues and other professionals.
• The ability to calmly cope with pressure and juggling tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications, particularly excel, and relevant legal IT systems
• Most importantly, you will have the right attitude; a keen willingness to learn and enthusiasm for the very important work we do in this team. In return we are well placed to offer you a satisfying and rewarding career in a supportive team with an emphasis on developing your role and career. This is a great opportunity for someone who is looking to join a firm that prides itself on being different with strong social purpose values.
  
  Anthony Collins Solicitors is a specialist law firm with a clear purpose - to "improve lives, communities and society". For over 50 years we've been successfully combining market-leading legal expertise with a commitment to excellence and long-term relationships underpinned by a strong set of values.
What makes Anthony Collins Solicitors distinctive, beyond simply being a sector-specialist law firm, is our people and the values we share. We're extremely proud of the calibre of people that we attract; people who are inspired by our values, motivated by our vision and work with our clients to positively influence the society and communities we are building together. Anthony Collins Solicitors is a committed Equal Opportunities employer promoting equality of opportunity. 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.