Commercial Property Graduate Apprentice Solicitor – Bristol City Centre

We have a fantastic opportunity for a recent graduate to join our Commercial Property team in Bristol as a Graduate Apprentice Solicitor.

The work of the Commercial Property department includes a wide range of matters such as buying and selling business property, property financing, commercial leases and property development. The team also works closely with the Company + Commercial and Property Litigation departments.

The team is comprised of two Partners, two Senior Associates, an Associate, two Solicitors, a Conveyancer, one Trainee Solicitor, one Paralegal and three Legal Secretaries.

We are recruiting a Graduate Apprentice to meet increasing client work demands and to assist with the continued growth of the team.

The role

Our Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme has been designed to provide immediate direct exposure to a range of live cases, giving you the opportunity to gain invaluable experience. Throughout the programme, you will be assisted and trained on a wide variety of complex and interesting matters within the Commercial Property department. You will have 121 mentoring from senior colleagues and a supportive team.

Based in our Bristol city centre office, you will be supervised by a Senior Associate or Partner. You will be working with the team to assist in all areas of commercial property work the team covers.

The role is varied but you can expect to be involved in:

Fee-earning work

• Taking details of new enquiries.
• Providing estimates for new enquiries.
• Exercising high standards of client care in a professional and pleasant manner at all times.
• Under supervision:
  • Interviewing clients, receiving and taking instructions, keeping detailed file notes of instructions received, advice given and any other attendances upon clients and other parties.
  • Drafting contract documentation, obtaining documents from the Land Registry and collating documents to include in the contract pack.
  • Ordering all necessary searches as directed by the fee earner.
  • Preparation and submission of Stamp Duty Land Transaction Returns or (Land Transaction Tax).
  • Preparation and submission of applications to the Land Registry and promptly dealing with any requisitions raised by the Land Registry.
  • Satisfying enquiries from lenders/buyers.
  • Drafting lease reports, search reports, mortgage reports, reports on title and any other reports which may be required.
  • Reporting to clients and mortgage lenders with completed registration documentation and deeds as required.
  • Dealing with routine client enquiries, communications and requests for updates from clients, estate agents, other lawyers, and mortgage lenders/brokers.
• Maintaining file checklists.
• Assisting fee earners with research.
• Checking and closing files.
• Dealing with email, letter, fax, and telephone communications promptly.
• Maintaining an adequate and up-to-date knowledge of the law and practice.
• Checking draft documents.
• Notifying a Partner/Head of Department (HoD) as to any complaints received in respect of work undertaken.
• Ensuring the confidentiality and security of all the firm’s and clients’ documentation and information.
• Complying with the Solicitors Accounts Rules, the SRA, the CML handbook and the Law Society Conveyancing Protocol.
• Maintaining clear and precise communications with other personnel of the firm.
• Ensuring good working relationships with external institutions and organisations.
• Responding promptly and accurately to requests for information concerning case work from Partners, supervisors and fee earners.
• Taking a lead role in the running of the files by being first point of contact on the telephone and by email.
• Ensuring files are Lexcel compliant.

Accounts procedures

• Assisting in the preparation of bills and completion statements.
• Obtaining the approval of Accounts of all bills/claims prepared.
• Obtaining payment on account from clients.
• Requesting cheques.
• Obtaining Partner/HoD signature for cheques.
• Assisting with telegraphic transfers as required.
• Requesting transfer of money between client and office accounts.
• Referring amendments to cheques and bills to Partners for approval, and dealing with the formalities for such amendments.
• Perusing monthly printouts and taking the required action including ensuring that all client money is placed on deposit where required and returning any money to clients where required.

The role will involve increasing levels of responsibility with experience and:

• If applying as an external candidate, you will be expected to pass the probationary period of at least six months before enrolment on the Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme.
• You will be enrolled on the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme with the University of Law on the earliest possible date following the successful completion of probation (August or February).
• When enrolled on the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme, you will work four days a week in the relevant department and one day a week ‘off the job’ studying as required.
• You will be granted study leave as required by the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme in advance of the SQE 1 and 2 exams.
• You will work five days a week in the department during probation before being enrolled with the University of Law and when there is no requirement for ‘off the job’ studying or study leave.
• You must be prepared to study in your own time as required.

All other expectations are summarised in the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme Pack. The Apprenticeship is delivered mainly online meaning you will spend most of your time studying independently.

About us

Barcan+Kirby is well known in the Bristol legal market both as a provider of excellent legal services for individuals and businesses, and as a progressive employer.

We are committed to developing and nurturing our people, and encouraging positive wellbeing and mental health is central to our culture. When we say we offer a work/life balance, we mean it.

We work hard to maintain a culture of kindness and friendliness, and welcome applications from individuals who fit with our values.

We like to think that we do things a bit differently from other law firms.

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate will have:

• A law degree (minimum 2:1) within the last three years to attend the 27-month course; or
• A law degree more than three years ago/non-law degree (minimum 2:1) to attend the 33-month course (this includes the Law Essentials module); and
• Mathematics and English GCSE – grade 4 minimum (or equivalent).

Location and working hours

• Full-time (office hours are 9am – 5.15pm, Monday to Friday) but we are happy to consider applications from candidates who wish to work part-time.
• The role is based at our Prince House office in Bristol City Centre.

Closing date for applications

Applications for this role close at midday on Thursday 5^th December with interviews to take place on Wednesday 18^th December.

How to apply

Ready to apply for this role? Simply download the application form (below and to the right), fill it out and email it to our Recruitment team, alongside your CV and covering letter.