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Social Housing Paralegal – Real Estate Division
About Us
Birketts is a Top 50 UK law firm with a heritage spanning 160 years, employing over 700 lawyers and 600 staff across 7 offices (Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich, Sevenoaks). Specialising in Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client, we deliver creative, proactive solutions aligned with our Next Level Law principle—anticipating challenges and advising with foresight.
The firm excels in client partnerships, with rankings as the 6th best law firm to work at (RollOnFriday 2026) and a collegiate culture that nurtures development. We also champion ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) objectives, and 45% of our partnership is female.
The Team You’ll Join
Our Social Housing team sits within the Real Estate Division, serving registered providers, local authorities, housebuilders, and public sector bodies. Nationally renowned, we support the full housing lifecycle—from affordable development and regeneration to management, disrepair cases, and fire safety disputes.
Responsible for over 100 registered provider and 30 authority clients, the team boasts 50 dedicated fee earners (including solicitors and legal directors) and handles sensitive high-risk matters alongside large-scale projects. Our reputation rests on practical advice, deep client relationships, and sector expertise.
The Work You’ll Be Doing
You’ll collaborate closely with junior and senior lawyers to deliver high-quality legal support in a dynamic environment.
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Case Management:
- Assisting with disrepair claims for Housing Association/Local Authority clients.
- Handling county court possession claims and injunction applications.
- Managing leasehold disputes in the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
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Legal Research & Documentation:
- Performing title investigations, legal research, and drafting/amending documents with accuracy.
- Ensuring compliance with Birketts’ house style—formatting, paginating, and proofreading all work.
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Professional Development:
- Supporting team workloads, covering absences, and ensuring deadlines are met.
- Actively assisting fee-earners to produce client-ready documentation.
- Engaging in enhanced training (practical, technical, and commercial skills).
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- Operational Responsibilities:
- Timekeeping and chargeable work recording.
- Maintaining file management compliance.
- General paralegal administration.
Note: This role may require ad-hoc responsibilities beyond the outlined duties, as directed by your line manager.
What We’re Looking For
Qualifications & Skills:
- Law degree or equivalent legal qualifying examinations (e.g., SQE, CILEX).
- Strong knowledge of legal procedures relevant to:
- Disrepair, housing law, and possession proceedings.
- Leasehold disputes, Tribunal processes, and title investigations.
- Demonstrable research and analytical skills, with proficiency in:
- Legal research tools (e.g., Lexis/Courtleri, Westlaw).
- Time and cost recording software.
- Advanced written/verbal communication—essential for client-facing tasks.
Soft Skills & Attributes:
- Attention to detail for meticulous documentation.
- Commercial awareness (applying legal knowledge to real-world challenges).
- Client service mindset—ensuring professional integrity and quality.
- Self-motivation and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in:
- Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook.
- Digital dictation software.
- Case management and billing systems.
Professional Standards:
- Commitment to fairness, integrity, and inclusive working.
- Respect for conflict of interest policies and confidentiality.
Flexible Working
We embrace a hybrid model with 60% office-based days and 40% homeworking flexibility. Individual arrangements can be discussed further during application—we’re happy to explore part-time, flexible, or phased return options.
Why Join Birketts?
Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to your wellbeing and career growth:
Work-Life Balance:
- 25 holiday days (FTE) + UK bank holidays.
- Long-Service Award—extra paid week for every 10 years of continuous service.
- Built-in Flexibility—hybrid arrangement, Dress to Impress (flexible dress code), and Paid CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Day.
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Financial Benefits:
- Scottish Widows pension scheme (5% employer contribution + 5% employee contribution).
- Staff Profit Share & Individual Performance Bonus Scheme.
- Salary sacrifice options (pensions, profit share).
Support & Wellbeing:
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave.
- Private healthcare (BUPA) after probation.
- £x salary life assurance and permanent health insurance.
Pay & Perks:
- Profit-related bonuses tied to individual/team performance.
- Subsidised gym membership.
- Electric car charging facilities.
Full details available on our Recognition & Rewards page: https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/
Inclusivity & Culture
Our Commitments:
- Equal Opportunity Employer: We tolerate no discrimination on age, disability, sex, race, religion, priority, or sexual orientation.
- Diversity: We celebrate inclusion and equal opportunity, fostering a culture that values partnership, development, and professional growth.
Support & Accessibility:
Accessibility needs? Our accessible advert is available here. Contact talent@birketts.co.uk with any accessibility requests.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
At Birketts, we recognise AI’s role in modern recruitment—we welcome ethical, responsible use. Our expectations:
- Authenticity: Your application should reflect your own voice, experiences, and career trajectory.
- Transparency: AI may assist in edits/structuring but does not replace original content.
- Accuracy: Only use AI tools if regulated, and all submissions must be human-reviewed for errors or misrepresentations.
- Discussion: If you use AI tools, be ready to discuss their use during later stages.
Sexualised or synthetic images alleging falsified “work samples” are non-negotiable—our pre-employment screening team adheres to strict evaluation policies.
For queries, email our Talent Acquisition Team: talent@birketts.co.uk.
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