Transaction Handler (entry/trainee level)

The practice

Capsticks is independently rated by the Legal 500 and Chambers directory as the leading provider of legal services to the health and social care sector and in the field of professional discipline.  In June 2013 the firm also acquired a highly rated social housing practice, creating a firm with over 230 fee earners across four offices in London, Birmingham, Leeds and Southampton. The firm acts for over 200 clients, including all forms of NHS provider and commissioner organisations, the Department of Health, the NHSLA, regulatory bodies, charities, independent healthcare providers, housing associations, medical malpractice insurers and defence organisations.   

The real estate department comprises over 50 fee earners and carries out major real estate development and construction work for its healthcare, social care and social housing clients from the voluntary, public and private sectors. The affordable housing team in Southampton is growing and currently consists of a supervising partner, two qualified lawyers and six transaction handlers/paralegals.

Further details on the partners in the department and the type of work carried out can be found on our website at www.capsticks.com

The role

The main roles and responsibilities will be to manage an active and fast-paced caseload, including but not limited to:

• Acting as the primary interface with clients and third parties;
• drafting routine correspondence and documents;
• assisting fee earners with more complex matters;
• preparing mortgage approvals and completion statements;
• reviewing leases and other title documents;
• updating clients, solicitors and agents on the progress of matters;
• receipting and paying completion funds;
• completing Land Registry and SDLT Forms;
• dealing with searches;
• preparing reports;
• deed maintenance;
• general administrative and office support; and
• any other duties as reasonably requested.

Candidate specification

You will be expected to use a high degree of self-management and initiative and have a responsive and proactive approach to the work.

Candidates should ideally have:

• educated to A level or degree level;
• current/recent Real Estate / Commercial Property / Social Housing experience (not essential);
• proven experience of handling his/her own caseload;
• good drafting skills;
• good communication skills;
• good administration skills; and
• good IT skills.

Candidates will however be expected to demonstrate at interview that they:

• are well organised;
• have good attention to detail;
• are proactive; and
• are self-motivated.

Candidates should be available to start immediately, or as soon as possible, and if you are interested in applying for this position please apply via the vacancies section on our website at www.capsticks.com. The deadline for applications is 10am on Monday 1 September 2014 and please note that we are only able to respond to candidates we call for interview.

Candidates should be aware:

• as part of the interview process there will be a written test, details of which will be provided to those candidates the firm calls for interview; and
• the firm is only able to respond to candidates we call for interview.

Capsticks is an equal opportunities employer

Capsticks is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and to encouraging diversity through recruitment.  Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and decisions to progress will be made with reference to entirely objective criteria only.