Commercial Property Legal Secretary

LEGAL SECRETARY – COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Location: Hertfordshire or City of London
Salary: Up to £40k
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

The Company
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Legal Secretary to join a highly regarded commercial law practice with a strong professional reputation and a collaborative, flexible working culture. This firm is committed to supporting employee development and offers a positive environment where you can learn, grow, and progress within your legal career.

The Role
Working within the Commercial Real Estate team, you will provide comprehensive secretarial and administrative support to fee earners, ensuring the smooth and efficient running of transactions and client matters. This is a varied position suited to a proactive individual who thrives in a busy, deadline-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Copy and audio typing legal documents using systems such as Word, iManage, Outlook, PDF Docs, Acrobat, Indigo, DocuSign and Excel
• Proofreading, amending, formatting and transcribing documentation
• Converting PDFs to Word and producing documents in house style
• Managing dictation via Bighand
• Handling telephone and email enquiries professionally and relaying messages promptly
• Printing, scanning and photocopying documentation
• Supporting AML processes and completing searches
• Preparing and submitting SDLT and Land Registry applications, including drafting forms (AP1, TR1), responding to requisitions and uploading documents
• Managing post-completion formalities such as notices of transfer/charge and deeds of covenant
• Conducting Land Registry searches, requesting office copies and expediting applications
• Preparing lease and deed summaries and scheduling deeds
• Liaising with lenders and local authorities to obtain documentation
• Drafting correspondence to clients, HMRC, HMLR and solicitors
• Opening and closing client files, including ID checks and compliance documentation
• Compiling sales packs, preparing replies to CPSEs and drafting basic reports on title
• Preparing invoices, BACS/TT payments, checking ledgers and verifying bank details
• Supporting credit control by issuing overdue payment reminders
• Coordinating diary management, meetings and virtual appointments (Teams/Zoom)
• Providing ad hoc administrative support across departments as required

Key Skills & Experience

• Previous Legal Secretary experience, ideally within Commercial Real Estate
• Exceptional attention to detail and strong organisational skills
• Ability to prioritise workloads in a fast-paced, transactional environment
• Advanced IT skills including Outlook, Word, Excel, PDF software and DocuSign
• Strong understanding of legal processes and practice
• Excellent communication skills with a professional telephone manner
• High standard of grammar and spelling
• A proactive, adaptable and team-focused approach

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave
• Discretionary perks
• Statutory pension
• Death in Service (4x salary)

Please note: This job description is not exhaustive, and additional duties may be required to support the needs of the business.

Thank you for your interest in this vacancy, advertised by SMT Recruitment (Smart10 Ltd), acting as an employment agency/business. Your application will be considered alongside others, and we will contact you within three working days if you are shortlisted.

SMT Recruitment is a multi-award-winning specialist recruitment consultancy providing temporary, contract, and permanent recruitment solutions across selected business sectors. To stay up to date with our latest opportunities, please visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram or LinkedIn. Please refer to SMT’s Privacy Policy for details on how we manage your data.