Job Vacancy LEGAL ASSISTANT – RESIDENTIAL Holmes and Hills is a large and growing regional law firm with its heart in East Anglia. From six offices across Essex and Suffolk - including the 14,000 sq ft A12 Commercial Hub at J25 of the A12 - our 170 legal industry professionals work in partnership with clients to provide truly proactive legal services through personal relationships. Acting as a trusted advisor to individuals, businesses and local authorities, the solicitors and support staff at Holmes & Hills take the time to understand clients’ objectives before delivering practical advice through a personal and accessible approach. THE ROLE Taking instructions from allocated fee earner for freehold and leasehold sale and purchase files, transfers of title, discharge and re-mortgage work Drafting, originating, compiling and chasing essential case documentation Dealing with clients, estate agents, mortgage lenders and solicitors at every stage of the transaction from initial instructions and noting interest, throughout the pre-exchange stage (under supervision) and through to completion Advising and keeping clients up to date with the progress of their transaction both via email and telephone contact Ensuring that case files are managed in accordance with the requirements of the Office Manual Ordering searches where relevant reviewing the same and interpreting results. Depending on experience, noting title on both registered and unregistered properties and reporting to client on terms Preparing Transfers and all other conveyancing drafts. Depending on experience, raising observations both standard and in light of search entries and survey report review Depending on experience, preparing Certificate on Title and ordering funds from Lender in absence of post exchange Depending on experience, and with supervision, to cover short, allocated fee earner absence(s) to ensure matters continue to progress Depending on experience, contribute to the Team fees target through the allocation of fees on files Preparing bills and statements Maintaining checklists for file and lexcel requirements Dealing with balances on old matters and making distributions Preparing historic files for closure Such other matters as may be required to assist with the team WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED? Preferred: - Law Degree or ILEX Level 3 WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED? Conveyancing experience obtained in a similar role. Good knowledge of residential property processes and procedures and confidence in managing transactions. Secretarial experience. WHAT SKILLS SHOULD I HAVE? Good communication skills Great attention to detail Good client care skills About Us Holmes & Hills Solicitors is a large regional firm of solicitors with seven offices across Essex and Suffolk and over 200 legal professionals across a number of specialist departments. Holmes & Hills works in partnership with clients across East Anglia, including businesses, individuals, families and local authorities, to build long standing relationships, protect clients' interests and support clients' growth and development. Working in partnership with businesses and individuals Holmes & Hills' large team of legal experts work in partnership with individuals and organisations to provide them with truly proactive legal services through personal relationships. Acting as a trusted advisor to clients, we take the time to understand clients' needs and objectives before delivering practical advice through a personal and accessible approach. Independently recognised as a leading law firm Holmes & Hills Solicitors is independently recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners - two independent directories of the UK’s top law firms - as being a leading supplier of legal services in the region. These accreditations give our clients the confidence that the legal advice and representation they receive from Holmes & Hills is some of the best available. Our clients range from established and growing businesses whose brands are recognised and sold around the world and local authorities across the region, through to families and first-time home buyers.