Conveyancing Paralegal – Commercial Property - Johannesburg, South Africa at Bowmans (Law Firm)

Purpose:

• Responsible for conveyancing support, specifically attending to the registration of transfers, sectional title schemes, township establishment, mortgage bonds, and bond cancellations whilst ensuring all legal requirements are met.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Senior Certificate, Secretarial diploma
• 3-5 years experience in a conveyancing paralegal role
• Experience in billing and settling final accounts for transfers and bonds
• Intermediate/Advanced proficiency in MS Office
• Intermediate/Advanced proficiency in E4 and LexisConvey

Key Accountabilities

Conveyancing Support:

• Obtain relevant documentation to open and close client files on the system
• Request FICA documentation
• Electronic linking to banks to extract instructions via the law system with particular experience in running ABSA and Standard Bank home loan bond registrations from inception to registration
• Electronic communication with banks to track key milestones
• Interpretation of sale and loan agreements to identify key dates and conditions
• Adhere to key dates with regard to registration of transfers or bonds and ensure deadlines are met
• Obtain all necessary information to process transactions i.e. clearance certificates, consents from local authorities, government departments, and management agents
• Confirm registration to all parties in writing
• Request outstanding figures for cancellations, title deeds, and mortgage bonds
• Electronic submission of information to SARS
• Issue written guarantees
• Delivery of original title deeds and bond to the bond attorneys
• Have an understanding of any specific Deeds Office requirements or processes for certain transaction; and applicable by-laws
• Keep up to date with Chief Registrar circulars and registrations

Connecting people

• Professional and effective communication internally/externally        
• Manage all forms of communication efficiently to ensure that the correct message gets across effectively and is dealt with accordingly

Diary Management      

• Schedule appointments with clients as well as attorneys
• Ability to manage time and adhere to prescribed timelines Management of transactions lodged at the Deeds Office

Document Generation:            

• Produce specialized and specific documentation for FICA, bond registrations, bond cancellations, transfers
• Ensure the documents produced are of the highest standard through accurate typing, paying special attention to detail, and ensuring good spelling/grammar/punctuation
• Adhere to Deeds Office and ‘in-house’ document style guide to maintain standardization of documentation
• Amend documents using track changes and cross-referencing, requiring advanced computer and software skills (Intermediate)

Office Administration/Management:

• Update all information on various systems (3E, bank systems, ghost convey, E4, Searchworks etc.)
• Upload information onto Stordoc system
• Ensure accurate electronic filing for easy reference
• Capturing of Relationship Building fees and billing when transactions is registered/complete

Relationship Building: 

• Develop and maintain relationships with all levels of staff as a trusted resource.
• Maintain strong working relationships with and have open and transparent communication between all members of the team
• Liaise with correspondent attorney

Finance Administration:            

• Securing payment by way of guarantees and cash
• Collect funds: Request payments of deposits, and once paid make necessary arrangements to invest money on behalf of a client
• Arrange for payment of any outstanding funds to municipalities or SARS on behalf of a client
• Prepare final accounts and reconciliation for seller and purchaser
• Final accounts and payment of proceeds to seller and various other parties as applicable
• Record time for a partner
• Generate VAT invoices and pass fees for Partner (off the firms 3E platform) on a monthly basis