Job Description

Trainee Solicitor

Department: Insolvency, Real Estate & Finance

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Manchester, UK

Reporting To: Head of Real Estate, Insolvency & Finance

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with drafting, reviewing, and processing documents in relation to insolvency litigation matters, including winding up petitions, statutory demands, bankruptcy petitions, administration orders and LPA receiverships.
• Liaise with Courts & HM Land Registry, and other external bodies.
• Support due diligence exercises for insolvency litigation matters, including research, reviewing documents and bank statements.
• Manage and update Restructuring files, ensuring all documentation is accurate and compliant.

• Assist with drafting, reviewing, and processing real estate documents, including leases, licences, transfers, title reports, and property management agreements.
• Liaise with Land Registry, local authorities, surveyors, and other external bodies.
• Support due diligence exercises for property transactions, including reviewing titles, searches, and planning documents.
• Manage and update property files, ensuring all documentation is accurate and compliant.
• Prepare completion statements, SDLT forms, and assist with post-completion filings.

• Support the Finance legal team in drafting and reviewing financial documents, including loan agreements, security documents, guarantees, and facility letters.
• Assist with preparing transaction bibles, document bundles, and execution packs.
• Conduct KYC/AML checks in line with regulatory requirements.
• Assist with the registration of charges and other security interests.
• Assist with preparing financial summaries, transaction schedules, and standard correspondence.

• Maintain internal case management systems and ensure accurate data entry.
• Manage deadlines, track key dates, and support the progression of matters efficiently.
• Prepare and format letters, reports, and legal documentation.
• Monitor shared inboxes and respond to queries promptly and appropriately.

• Act as a point of contact for external clients and internal stakeholders.
• Provide regular updates to clients under supervision of a qualified lawyer.
• Build positive working relationships and maintain a high standard of client care.

• Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with SRA rules, AML regulations, Data Protection laws (GDPR), and internal risk management procedures.
• Support the RREF lawyer teams in preparing for internal audits, external reviews, and regulatory submissions.
• Maintain confidentiality of all client and business information at all times.

• Conduct legal research to support senior lawyers.
• Support training, knowledge-sharing, and RREF team development initiatives.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties required by the RREF department.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Experience working within a legal environment, ideally in restructuring, insolvency, real estate, banking, finance, or commercial law.
• Understanding of property transactions, contracts, security documentation, and legal processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple deadlines.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel and legal case management systems.
• Ability to handle confidential information in line with legal and regulatory obligations.

• Law degree, LPC/SQE 1 or 2 or equivalent legal qualification (or working towards).
• Experience liaising with Land Registry, Companies House, external firms of accountants, lenders, and financial institutions.
• Knowledge of AML/KYC processes.
• Experience supporting transactional matters, completions, and post-completion tasks.