Legal Assistant Reliever at Home Universal

Department: Legal / Corporate Affairs
Reporting To: Management / Designated Legal Supervisor

ABOUT HOMES UNIVERSAL LTD

• Homes Universal Ltd is a diversified Kenyan group with interests spanning real estate, property management, construction, security services, property marketing and related business services.
• We are seeking a highly organised, commercially aware and proactive Legal Assistant – Reliever to provide legal and administrative support to the Group during a three-month contract period.
• This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated legal professional who can work in a fast-paced corporate environment, manage multiple priorities, maintain strict confidentiality and provide practical support on contracts, compliance, litigation follow-up, property matters, debt recovery and general corporate legal administration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Provide day-to-day legal and administrative support to management and the Group's legal function.
• Draft, review and organise routine legal correspondence, notices, letters, agreements, contracts, undertakings and other legal documentation for review and approval.
• Assist with property management and real-estate-related legal matters, including leases, tenancy documentation, management agreements and contractual correspondence.
• Maintain an accurate legal matters and litigation register, including court dates, deadlines, advocates handling matters and status updates.
• Liaise professionally with the Company's external advocates on ongoing litigation, debt recovery, commercial disputes and other legal matters.
• Follow up on court documents, consent orders, rulings, decrees, correspondence and other documentation required from advocates or relevant institutions.
• Assist in monitoring debt recovery and enforcement matters and maintain clear records of actions taken and outstanding requirements.
• Support contract administration by maintaining a central register of agreements, commencement dates, expiry dates, renewal dates and key contractual obligations.
• Conduct basic legal research and prepare concise summaries for management consideration.
• Assist with corporate compliance, statutory documentation, licences, permits and regulatory correspondence.
• Assist in reviewing procurement, supplier, service-provider and commercial agreements to identify basic contractual and compliance issues for escalation.
• Maintain proper physical and electronic filing of confidential legal documents and ensure documents can be retrieved promptly.
• Prepare files and supporting documentation for meetings with advocates, clients, regulators, landlords, suppliers and other stakeholders.
• Monitor important legal and contractual deadlines and proactively alert management before deadlines expire.
• Prepare periodic legal status reports and action trackers for management.
• Perform any other lawful legal or administrative duties reasonably assigned during the contract period.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants should possess:

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognised university.
• A Diploma from the Kenya School of Law / Advocates Training Programme will be a strong added advantage.
• Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya will be an added advantage but is not mandatory for an assistant-level appointment.
• Training or demonstrated knowledge in commercial law, contract law, property/land law, company law, employment law, litigation procedures or dispute resolution will be advantageous.
• Good working knowledge of the Kenyan legal and regulatory environment.

EXPERIENCE

• Preferably 1–3 years of relevant legal experience gained in a law firm, corporate legal department, property/real estate company, financial institution or other structured commercial organisation.
• Previous exposure to real estate, property management, conveyancing, leases, debt recovery, commercial contracts or litigation support will be a strong advantage.
• Fresh or recently qualified candidates with exceptional legal drafting, organisational and research capabilities may also be considered.
• Experience working with external advocates and maintaining legal/court matter trackers will be advantageous.

REQUIRED LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE

The ideal applicant should demonstrate knowledge or practical exposure in:

• Contract drafting and review
• Commercial agreements
• Property and tenancy documentation
• Landlord and tenant matters
• Property management agreements
• Debt recovery and collection matters
• Litigation and court process follow-up
• Corporate and statutory compliance
• Legal research
• Employment and labour-related documentation
• Procurement and supplier contracts
• Legal correspondence and notices
• Document control and records management
• Regulatory and compliance follow-up

KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

We are particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate:

• Excellent legal drafting and written communication skills
• Strong legal research and analytical ability
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to identify contractual and legal risks
• Strong organisational and document-management skills
• Ability to manage several matters and deadlines simultaneously
• Excellent Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and general computer skills
• Ability to prepare clear legal trackers and management reports
• Professional communication and stakeholder-management skills
• High levels of integrity, discretion and confidentiality
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision
• Strong follow-up and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines
• Commercial awareness and an understanding that legal support should facilitate responsible business decision-making

DESIRABLE TRAINING

Additional training in any of the following will be an advantage:

• Conveyancing and property law
• Commercial contract drafting
• Corporate governance
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Data protection and privacy
• Employment and labour law
• Legal compliance and risk management
• Debt recovery and credit management
• Company secretarial practice
• Legal technology and electronic document management

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

The successful candidate should be:

• Professional | Ethical | Confidential | Proactive | Detail-Oriented | Organised | Dependable | Commercially Minded | Assertive | Deadline-Driven
• Because this is a reliever position for a limited three-month period, preference will be given to an individual who can adapt quickly, understand existing files and systems, take ownership of outstanding matters and become productive with minimal supervision.

WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERS

• The successful applicant will gain valuable hands-on exposure to legal matters within a diversified corporate group, including real estate, property management, construction, commercial contracts, corporate compliance, litigation coordination and debt recovery.
• The position is particularly suitable for an ambitious legal professional seeking practical corporate experience and the opportunity to work closely with management in a dynamic business environment.