Job Description

Job description
Full time 37 hours - Fixed Term for 23 months



Are you an experienced and motivated Paralegal looking to develop your career within Property Law? We're seeking a proactive Property Paralegal to join our busy and supportive Property Team within our Legal Services Department. In this varied role, you'll provide essential support to our Solicitors and Legal Officers across a broad range of property matters, helping to ensure transactions are completed efficiently and to a high standard.



We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.



We support hybrid working, it's important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you'll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle

About the role:

You will be part of a dynamic team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As part of Team Reading, you will play your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place by:



As a Property Paralegal you will assist a team of Lawyers/Solicitors on residential property matters.




Key responsibilities:


Assisting with the preparation, drafting, and review of property-related legal documents, contracts, and correspondence Managing case files from instruction through to completion Conducting searches, Land Registry applications, and due diligence checks Liaising with clients, external solicitors, local authorities, and other stakeholders Maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with relevant procedures and legislation

Now is the perfect time to join us as we deliver our ambitions to be the best place to practice law in local government; being close to our customers, recruiting the best talent, successfully deploying legal technology and ensuring the continued growth of the business to new customers.



Reading's Legal Service provides the Council and its partners with the highest quality professional legal advice and representation which allows them to run their organisations well, and to serve our community.




We host a Joint Legal Team, a long-standing shared legal service for all the Berkshire councils and a recognised centre of excellence for childcare, adults and education law. As well as leading a highly regarded internal Corporate Legal Team, serving the needs of the Council across a wide range of functions.

About you

:

This is an exciting opportunity for candidates who have attained a legal qualification and are looking to build up relevant experience. Ideally you should be able to demonstrate a good knowledge of adult social care law, deprivation of liberty and judicial review, and have knowledge of legislation relevant to this area of work.



To apply for this role you will require:


5 GSCEs at Grade 4-9 (or equivalent) including Maths and English. Legal Practice Certificate or SQE Assessments Experience in a legal practice (preferably local authority property team) Ability to prioritise workload and to work effectively under pressure Ability and confidence to represent the team in meetings A flexible approach to work and ability to use initiative Ability to maintain confidentiality

You'll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you'll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.



Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team -

work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency -

show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious -

be demanding of our own performance - striving to be even better - and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading -

maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer:

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged.



A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:


Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave A wide range of flexible working opportunities Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS) On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Jonathan Treherne at

Jonathan.treherne@reading.gov.uk

or Shaidah Ramzan at

shaidah.ramzan@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Tuesday 16th December 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Setup: In person at the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading