Property Litigation Lawyer – Bristol City Centre
We are looking for a Property Litigation lawyer who will be based at our Bristol City Centre office.
You will build up your own caseload of property litigation matters, working alongside and under the supervision of the Head of Department and a Senior Associate, assisting with other work of the department if required. It is anticipated that this role will include a large proportion of property litigation matters such as landlord and tenant matters, disputes regarding easements and covenants, TOLATA and ownership disputes, applications and notices under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
In line with our firm’s culture and aim to nurture and ‘grow our own’ talent, we will support and mentor your development and progression.
The role
The successful candidate will undertake fee-earning work and provide a profitable contribution to the department in line with the firm’s plans.
Some of the duties you can expect to be involved in are:
Fee-earning work
- Property litigation, including:
- Boundary disputes.
- Ownership/TOLATA claims.
- Landlord and tenant disputes relating to both residential and commercial property, including but not limited to residential possession, commercial lease renewal, enforcement of lease terms and service charge disputes.
- Possession claims.
- Disputes regarding easements (such as rights of way, right to light and right to use).
- Dilapidation disputes.
- Land ownership claims.
- Leasehold extensions, business tenancies under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
- Providing advice to other departments and teams eg: Commercial Property, Employment, Debt Recovery and Probate.
- Taking instructions, keeping detailed file notes of instructions received and of advice given, and of any other attendances upon clients and other parties.
- Preparing cost estimates for matters.
- Issuing Client Care Letters.
- Taking forward matters including drafting and/or considering relevant documents such as pleadings, statements, schedules of loss, bundles, Form H and Applications & Orders.
- Advising clients as to the progress of matters and updates of costs periodically throughout matters.
- Maintaining an adequate and up-to-date knowledge of the law and practice.
- Compliance with the procedures in the Office Manual and Solicitors Accounts Rules.
- Preparing or supervising the preparation of and checking court bundles.
- Advocacy in court where required and appropriate, bearing in mind cost-benefit analysis.
- Agreeing and negotiating terms of settlement and other relevant documents.
- Completing matters on time.
- Advising clients as to the progress of matters and incidence of costs periodically throughout matters.
- Checking and signing files prior to closure.
- Dealing with email and telephone communications promptly.
- Maintaining an adequate and up-to-date knowledge of the law and practice.
- Signing of post.
- Subject to Partner approval, giving undertakings in the approved form in specific matters.
- Notifying the relevant Partner as to any complaints received in respect of work undertaken.
- Supervising other members of the team as necessary.
Marketing and business development
- Attending networking events.
- Developing sources of work.
- Involvement in marketing strategies and initiatives.
- Helping to develop the department’s web pages and other marketing materials.
- Cross-department working to raise profile and understanding of the work and identify cross-selling opportunities.
Accounts procedures
- Preparation of bills of costs, and obtaining the approval of Accounts of all bills prepared.
- Obtaining payment on account from clients.
- Requesting cheques.
- Obtaining Partners’ signature on cheques.
- Preparing written requests for banker’s drafts.
- Notifying Accounts of incoming telegraphic transfers.
- Making requests for telegraphic transfers.
- Notifying Accounts of telegraphic transfers requested.
- Preparing written requests for telegraphic transfer for authorisation.
- Counting money received from clients as payments in.
- Requesting transfer of money between client accounts.
- Requesting transfer of money between client and office account.
- 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 when required.
Attending monthly review meetings to report on outstanding bills and disbursements as requested
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, and we were advocates for flexible working long before the Covid-19 pandemic.
We work hard to maintain a culture of kindness and friendliness, and we like to think that we do things a bit differently from other law firms.
The ideal candidate
The ideal candidate for this role will be a qualified lawyer or FCILEx, with experience in civil litigation and/or property law (including property transactions) and looking to specialise in litigation law. You will be IT literate and confident using and adapting to new systems and processes. The ideal candidate will also have knowledge and experience in using social media and networking as a business development tool and be eager to use their networking skills.
IT literacy is essential, and you must be confident using and adapting to new systems and processes.
Location and working hours
- This is a full-time role (office hours are 9am – 5.15pm, Monday to Friday).
- The role is based at our Prince House office in central Bristol with the option to apply for hybrid working upon successful completion of your probation.
How to apply
Ready to apply for this role? Send us your CV and cover letter using the form below. Got a question? Email our recruitment team.