Property Litigation Graduate Apprentice Solicitor

Barcan+Kirby; Bristol; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job description

We have a fantastic opportunity for a graduate to join our Property Litigation team in Bristol city centre as a Graduate Apprentice Solicitor.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our growing and successful Dispute Resolution department based in our Prince House office.

Under the umbrella of the Dispute Resolution department are several specialist teams focusing on contentious probate, property litigation, employment, commercial litigation, and general civil disputes. The successful candidate will undertake legal work and contribute to the team and the department in line with the firm's business plan under the supervision of the team's Legal Director and Head of Department.

Due to the team's excellent reputation, increased network, and the expansion of the commercial services division within the firm, we are recruiting a Graduate Apprentice to meet increasing client work demands and assist with the team's continued growth.

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 the required practice area of property litigation. You will build your workload providing a profitable contribution to the department in line with the firm's policies and protocols and with the aim of meeting your monthly individual fee and time targets.

You will have monthly 121 meetings with your supervisor, and in line with our firm's culture and aim to nurture and grow our own talent, we will support and mentor your own development and progression aligned with the business need of the department and firm.

You Can Expect To Be Involved In

• Boundary disputes.
• Ownership/TOLATA claims.
• Landlord and tenant disputes relating to both residential and commercial property, including 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.

Admin duties

• Opening files and some administrative work.
• Attending client meetings with fee earners.
• Preparing draft documentation.
• Contacting clients and opposing parties.
• Liaising with third parties.
• Organising documents and entering information onto our practice management system.
• Preparation of letters and bills.

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

• 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 which will be given to the successful candidate when they join the firm. The Apprenticeship is delivered mainly online meaning you will spend most of your time studying independently.

Throughout the programme and beyond, you will be expected to exercise high standards of client care in a professional and pleasant manner at all times.

Upon the successful completion of the Graduate Apprenticeship, the firm hopes to place you in a qualified role, but this will be subject to business need at the time of qualification and is not guaranteed.

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

Our 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).
• Computer literacy is essential for this role and you must be confident in using and adapting to new systems and processes.

Please Note

• Internal applicants must be in a Paralegal role or moving to a paralegal role.
• Candidates with the Legal Practice Course or any SQE qualifications are ineligible to apply.

Location and working hours

• Full-time (office hours are 9am 5.15pm, Monday to Friday). Part-time would be considered.
• The role is based at our Prince House office in Bristol city centre.

Closing date for applications

Applications close at 9am on Thursday 24 April and interviews on Friday 9 May.

Belonging at Barcan+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.

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.