An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Private Client Solicitor to join our Team.
Reporting to the Head of Private Client, provide a professional, compliant, and client-focused private client legal service encompassing will-writing, estate planning, and probate/estate administration, in accordance with the SRA Standards and Regulations, recognised industry standards, and best practice.
The role ensures the accurate and transparent preparation of wills and related estate planning documents, and the efficient administration of estates following a death — including obtaining grants of representation, valuing estates, dealing with inheritance tax (IHT) obligations, collecting and distributing assets, and settling liabilities.
The candidate will support clients in making informed decisions about their estate planning and guide personal representatives and beneficiaries through the probate process with empathy and professionalism.
How to Apply?
Please send your CV and a brief cover note to Hr@burtons-solicitors.com
Key Responsibilities
Wills & Estate Planning
- Conduct client consultations to gather accurate instructions and provide clear guidance on estate planning options, including tax-efficient strategies.
- Draft wills of varying complexity (including mirror wills, discretionary trusts, wills, life interest trusts, and business property provisions), ensuring full legal compliance and adherence to professional standards.
- Prepare supplementary documentation such as guardianship clauses, letters of wishes, severance of joint tenancy forms, and related estate planning materials.
- Advise on lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) for property and financial affairs and for health and welfare and assist with registration where required.
- Advise on lifetime gifts, potentially exempt transfers, and other inheritance tax planning measures.
- Ensure wills are correctly executed, witnessed, and stored in accordance with firm procedures and the Law Society’s Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS) standards where applicable.
- Identify situations where specialist tax, trust, or capacity advice may be required and refer appropriately.
Probate & Estate Administration
- Advise personal representatives (executors and administrators) on their duties and the probate process from initial instruction through to final distribution.
- Establish whether a grant of representation is required and determine the appropriate type of grant (grant of probate, letters of administration, or letters of administration with will be annexed).
- Value the deceased’s estate, identifying all assets and liabilities including property, savings, investments, pensions, and debts.
- Prepare and submit inheritance tax accounts to HMRC (IHT400 or excepted estate returns as applicable) and ensure IHT is paid within statutory deadlines to avoid interest charges.
- Apply for grants of representation using MyHMCTS, monitoring applications through to issue.
- Collect in the assets of the estate, liaising with financial institutions, insurers, pension providers, and HM Land Registry.
- Settle debts, liabilities, and testamentary expenses; place statutory advertisements (s.27 Trustee Act 1925) where appropriate to protect personal representatives.
- Prepare estate accounts and distribute the estate to beneficiaries in accordance with the will or the intestacy rules
- Deal with the Trust Registration Service (TRS) reporting obligations for relevant trusts arising on death.
- Identify and manage potential disputes, including awareness of caveats, Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 claims, and contentious probate risks; escalate or refer as appropriate.
General Caseload & Practice Management
- Manage a personal caseload efficiently, meeting deadlines, key milestones, and billing targets while ensuring high standards of service.
- Maintain regular and proactive communication with clients, beneficiaries, and external parties to ensure clarity and progress updates.
- Accurately record time and ensure timely billing in accordance with the firm’s procedures.
- Supervise and support junior team members, trainees, or administrative staff where applicable.
- Contribute to business development and marketing activities for the Private Client department.
Client Care
- Provide clear, timely, and professional advice to clients at all stages of the process, from initial instruction to completion.
- Ensure transparency in costs, processes, timescales, and decision-making requirements; provide clear cost information at the outset and updated estimates as matters progress.
- Maintain professionalism, empathy, and confidentiality when discussing sensitive matters, particularly when dealing with bereaved families and vulnerable clients.
- Manage client expectations effectively and deal with complaints in accordance with the firm’s complaints procedure and SRA requirements.
- Deliver a client experience that reflects the firm’s values and supports client retention and referrals.
Compliance & Professional Standards
- Comply with the SRA Standards and Regulations and uphold the seven SRA Principles in all aspects of practice.
- Adhere to the firm’s anti-money laundering (AML) policies and procedures; conduct appropriate client due diligence, source of funds/wealth checks, and ongoing monitoring as required by the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (as amended).
- Maintain accurate and complete records of all client instructions, documents, file notes, and correspondence in accordance with the firm’s file management standards.
- Comply with file retention policies for wills and probate matters, including secure storage of original wills.
- Ensure compliance with data protection requirements under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, including appropriate handling of special category data.
- Adhere to recognised industry standards and best-practice guidelines for will-writing, estate planning, and estate administration, including those set out in the Law Society’s Practice Notes and the Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS).
- Participate in continuing competence/CPD activities and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant law and practice.
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft precise legal documents and explain complex information in a clear, client-friendly manner.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise a varied and demanding caseload, working to deadlines.
- High attention to detail and accuracy in legal drafting, financial calculations (estate valuations, IHT computations), and procedural compliance.
- Strong client relationship management skills, with empathy and sensitivity when advising bereaved or vulnerable clients.
- Competent use of case management systems, legal technology (including MyHMCTS), and standard office software.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Commercial awareness and a commitment to contributing to the growth of the Private Client department.
- Commitment to professional development and staying updated on changes in law, regulation, and best practice.
Person Specification
This role is suitable for either a qualified solicitor, CILEx or an experienced private client fee earner with a minimum of 2 – 3 years PQE or fee earning experience.
Essential Criteria
- Demonstrable experience in private client work covering wills, estate planning, and probate/estate administration.
- Sound working knowledge of the law of succession, intestacy rules, and probate procedure (England & Wales).
- Familiarity with inheritance tax principles, IHT forms (IHT400 / excepted estate processes), and HMRC procedures.
- Experience of using MyHMCTS for probate applications.
- Understanding of the SRA Principles, SRA Standards and Regulations, and their practical application to private client work.
- Awareness of anti-money laundering obligations and data protection requirements in a legal practice context.
- Excellent drafting, communication, and organisational skills.
- A professional, empathetic, and confidential approach to client relationships, including sensitivity when dealing with bereavement and vulnerability.
Solicitor or CILEx — Additional Essential Criteria
- Qualified solicitor or CILEx (England & Wales) with a current practicing certificate.
- Post-qualification experience (PQE) in private client / wills and probate (ideally 2 – 3 years minimum)
- Ability to manage own caseload with minimal supervision and take responsibility for client matters from instruction to completion.
Desirable Criteria
- Membership of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) or actively working towards membership.
- Experience of trust creation, administration, and the Trust Registration Service.
- Experience of advising on and registering lasting powers of attorney.
- Exposure to contentious probate or disputed wills matters.
- Relevant qualification or progression
- Experience of supervising junior staff or trainees
- Business development experience within a private client team.
- Clean Driving Licence
How to Apply?
Please send your CV and a brief cover note to Hr@burtons-solicitors.com
Terms
Location: Bexley, Greater London / Pembury, Tunbridge Wells
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm
Please note: Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.