Articles From the Team

When it comes to residential property recruitment, think outside the box

I recently read an interesting article on Recruitment Grapevine which stated that one in ten new recruits are regarded as a ‘poor hiring decision’ and that 70% of HR Directors have hired someone that has not met expectations. I speak to law firms every day about the roles they are looking to recruit for, with the majority of them saying they need a qualified solicitor. Now I know there are certain circumstances when only a solicitor will do, however when it comes to residential property, lawyers who have completed the Legal Executive Course or the CLC qualification often have far more relevant experience but are often overlooked whilst the firm searches for a solicitor who may have less relevant experience and comes with a higher price tag.

CILEx and the CLC offer an increasingly popular alternative route to the traditional LPC/Training Contract. Both are accessible routes to qualifying as a lawyer which combine study with fee earning. A Chartered Legal Executive or Licensed Conveyancer can do everything that a solicitor can do in a conveyancing transaction with the same legal authority to act.

I manage a team of consultants who specialise solely in residential property recruitment across the Midlands and the South and we are being instructed on new roles on a daily basis, with some offering a step into management as well as straight forward fee earning. We are always highlighting the virtues of recruiting a legal executive or licensed conveyancer to our clients particularly in such a buoyant market when competition is so high. These lawyers are normally highly skilled in all aspects of residential property and can often hit the ground running and start generating fees from day 1. Our advice to firms looking to recruit property lawyers is to be as flexible as possible and to think outside the box with a greater emphasis being placed on skills and experience rather than qualification.

If you are looking to recruit into your property team or are a property lawyer looking to make a move within the Midlands or the South and would like a confidential discussion contact Joanne Lack or visit our website BCL Legal.