Residential Conveyancing Solicitor Apprentice – Gloucester Road

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Solicitor Apprentice to join our expanding Residential Conveyancing team on Gloucester Road, Bristol.

Our Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme is perfect for school leavers and aspiring solicitors who have A-levels but no university degree. You will have the opportunity to work closely alongside the team with their busy caseloads in a well-supported environment.

This apprenticeship is five to six-year programme run by the University of Law or Weston College and prepares budding lawyers for qualification as a Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive. You can find out more about our Apprenticeship Programmes here.

Download the application form here.

The role

Your day-to-day role

• Providing estimates for residential conveyancing by telephone, email, post and in person as required.
• Undertaking certain elements of fee earning work under supervision.
• Interviewing clients, receiving and taking instructions, keeping detailed file notes of instructions received and advice given.
• Drafting contract documentation, obtaining documents from the Land Registry and collating documents to include in the contract pack.
• Drafting reports on title, mortgage offers and search results.
• Carrying out the various searches required as part of a normal property transaction as directed by the fee earner.
• Preparation and submission of Stamp Duty Land Transaction returns.
• Reporting to clients and mortgage lenders with completed registration documentation and deeds, as required.
• Dealing with routine client enquiries and communications, and requests for updates from clients, estate agents, other solicitors/licensed conveyancers and mortgage lenders/brokers.
• Assisting with research.
• Checking incoming post and draft documents.
• Maintenance of file format and content in accordance with the Office Manual.
• Assisting with reception duties when required.
• Updating contact details when required.
• Assisting with file audits.
• Ensuring that emails/letters prepared for the lawyers are checked and sent.
• Managing diaries and organising meetings.

Accounting procedures

• Assisting in the preparation of bills and completion statements.
• Obtaining payment on account from clients.
• Requesting cheques and obtaining a Partner’s signature for cheques.
• Assisting with telegraphic transfers as required.
• Requesting transfer of money between client and office accounts.
• Chasing money due when required.

You will also be encouraged to get involved with marketing and business development activities on behalf of the department.

Full training will be given so that you are confident with our systems.

Apprenticeship expectations

• You will be expected to pass the probationary period of at least six months before enrolment on the Apprenticeship Programme.
• You will be enrolled on the earliest possible date following the successful completion of probation.
• When enrolled, you will work four days a week and one day a week ‘off the job’ studying as required.
• You will work five days a week during probation before being enrolled, and when there is no requirement for ‘off the job’ studying or study leave.
• The Apprenticeship is delivered mainly online, so you must be prepared to study independently and in your own time

All other expectations are summarised in the Apprenticeship Programme Pack, which will be given to the successful candidate.

About us

Barcan and 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. We encourage open communication and foster a culture where colleagues are supported in achieving a real work/life balance.

At Barcan and Kirby, 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

• Enthusiastic team player with a good eye for detail, with high organisational skills.
• Have three A-levels at grade C or above (or equivalent).
• Have five GCSEs, including Maths and English, at grade 4 or above (or equivalent).
• Be computer literate.
• Be confident in using and adapting to new systems and processes.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship. You will be required to provide evidence of your eligibility as part of the recruitment and onboarding process.

Please note, candidates with certain legal qualifications are ineligible to apply. Please contact us if you need any guidance on this point.

Location and working hours

• Full-time (office hours are 9am – 5.15pm, Monday to Friday).
• Fixed-term contract, until completion of Apprenticeship Programme.
• Where possible, we hope to place the Apprentice in a qualified role, but this will be subject to business need at the time of qualification.
• The role is based at our Gloucester Road office.

Belonging at Barcan and Kirby

We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive working environment. We want you to bring your true self to work and encourage applications from anyone who embodies our values, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, disability status, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodiversity or anything else that makes you, you.

If there is anything we can do to make things more comfortable for you as part of the application process, including making a reasonable adjustment, please let us know by emailing recruitment@barcankirby.co.uk.

Application process

Applicants are required to:

• Complete the standard Apprenticeship Programme Application Form; and
• Provide a CV and covering letter, which should include:
  • Why you want to become a solicitor
  • Why Barcan and Kirby
  • Why Residential Conveyancing

Applicants invited to interview will be expected to:

• Complete a pre-interview task.
• Attend an interview, during which you will present your pre-interview task, answer set questions and complete a written task.

Closing date for applications

Applications for this role close at 9am on Thursday 30^th April, with in-person interviews on Monday 18^th May.

An invite to interviews will be sent to successful candidates on Thursday 7^th May with pre-interview task to be returned by Thursday 14^th May.

How to apply

1. Download and complete the Apprenticeship Programme Application Form.
2. Send your CV, a covering letter and completed application form to recruitment@barcankirby.co.uk.