Paralegal, Construction (Landlord Certificates Team), London

Job Introduction

Job Introduction

Are you looking for a role where you will be intellectually challenged, but treated with respect? Or an environment where you can enjoy industry-leading work quality without compromising on client contact and business development? An opportunity in our Construction team may be for you.

What do we mean by Construction? We mean providing expert legal advice to clients across an engaging mix of the supply chain, to our well established client base and liaising with our national practice and Real Estate teams. Our teams work collaboratively across these disciplines and, whilst everyone will have their area of particular expertise, we encourage cross-working so colleagues have genuine variety in their work and can use their rounded expertise to provide creative, bespoke solutions for our clients.

So, why should you be excited about a career with us? Our team are empowered to develop their own client contacts and relationships from the start of their careers; you will see how your contribution directly impacts on your clients and understand how the service you provide helps them. We are also very proud of our client base, who provide us with top-quality instructions.  We have the backing of a truly international firm with over 2,500 colleagues across 9 countries and with a myriad of international associations further bolstering our capabilities.

We aim to encourage diversity by offering the opportunity to bring your whole self to work, underpinned by our employer brand of A Life That Works. Our team are very busy and work hard, but we offer genuine flexibility to allow you to meet your personal and work commitments – and that flexibility won’t disappear post-Covid! – it has been hardwired into our DNA for years. All across our team, from our emerging talent to our senior leadership, you won’t find a closed door, real or virtual.

Role Responsibility

We are looking for someone to join the Construction Team to support with the Landlord Certificate (“LLC”) work stream by joining the LLC team.  It will also involve wider support to the Construction team to deal with the litigation that is underway and / or planned.

Your role will include:

• Developing your knowledge of all aspects of Landlord Certificates which were brought in by the Building Safety Act 2022 (the “Act”) and how they affect/play into the client’s management of its buildings.
• Managing communications with the client, the client’s portfolio agent and property managing agents to ensure that the LLCs are as complete as possible, correct and sent out on time
• Allocating the incoming LLCs and keeping track of the progress of the LLCs.
• Ensuring that the team sends out and follows up on communications with the managing agents and other relevant third parties.
• Monitoring information received from the client’s portfolio managing agent (and following up where necessary).
• Responding to queries from the client’s portfolio managing agent, tenants, managing agents and the client regarding LLCs and Leaseholder Deeds of Certificate (“LDHOC”). Where necessary, this will involve speaking with managing agents to explain certain queries or ask for further specific information.
• Ensuring that lawyers work effectively to meet the needs of the deadlines set by the Act, clients and the commercial requirements of the firm, managing any identified fee earner performance or conduct issues
• Ensuring files are run pro-actively and effectively to conclusion by the relevant paralegals, with appropriate deadlines met.
• Ensuring that calendar and case management system are updated with diary dates as required by the matter.
• Assuming responsibility for client protocol compliance both on own files and where working on task-based assignments.
• Handling confidential information in line with the firm's data security protocols.
• Meeting and exceeding internal targets for time recording and billing.

The Ideal Candidate

• Previous paralegal experience is essential, preferably with some property experience.
• Litigation experience would be beneficial
• Experience using Relativity systems
• Previous experience working in an insurance firm would be desirable, but not necessary.
• Have a good working knowledge of Land Registry documents and Landlord and Tenant law.
• Be interested in and willing to learn the technical aspects of construction law, litigation and the burgeoning area of law relating to the Act.
• Must be able to work under pressure and with a high volume caseload.
• Have excellent attention to detail.

About the Company

About DAC Beachcroft

We're a leading international legal business with over 3,000 colleagues and a diverse range of capabilities. We're market leaders in insurance, health and real estate but with a full-service offering, including growing Financial Services and Tech capabilities. We represent a wide range of clients – from household names to government departments and NHS bodies. We act for nearly all of the top-20 UK and global insurers, we're market leaders in the provision of strategic, commercial and regulatory advice to providers and commissioners in the health sector, and in real estate we advise all of the UK’s top-five housebuilders.

We are a fast-growing international business with offices around the globe.  In addition to our 11 UK offices, we also have offices in Dublin, Madrid, Paris, Milan, Rome, Singapore, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Miami, plus a broad network of affiliations across the globe. 

Working with us

Our vision is to be leading business advisers, recognised for our insight and our outstanding commitment to clients, and for being the place where talented people want to work. Combine this with our supportive culture and hybrid working model, and you have: a Life that Works.

Our flexible approach means that we help our colleagues to be their best at work, while recognising that they have all sorts of different interests and commitments outside work.

We pride ourselves on our supportive, approachable culture. We are trusted, appreciated as individuals and embraced as part of a team. At DACB, we don’t just accept your differences, we celebrate and advocate for them. From bespoke solutions for our clients, to treating you as an individual. Our strength comes from your diverse ideas and bringing the ‘whole you’ to work. So if you’re good at what you do, come as you are!

Note for Recruitment Agencies – the DAC Beachcroft recruitment team is responsible for managing all current vacancies through direct hiring and referrals wherever possible. We do work with recruitment agencies and where we require external support we will formally release those vacancies to the agencies on our Preferred Supplier List deemed best placed to assist us. Speculative CVs sent by any agency to any DAC Beachcroft employee without a specific request by the resourcing team will not be accepted and with no introduction fee applicable. Our resourcing team can be contacted at recruitment@dacbeachcroft.com

DAC Beachcroft