We are seeking a highly organised and detail-oriented Registry Clerk to join our Ecclesiastical and Charities team. This is a unique opportunity to work within a specialist legal area, supporting Diocesan Registrars in a varied and meaningful role.
You will be involved in drafting legal and church documentation, managing faculty applications, assisting with Ecclesiastical property transactions, and providing essential administrative support to a busy and collaborative team. The role is office based at our Leeds site, full time, working Monday to Friday 36.25 hours per week.
Reporting to Partner, Ecclesiastical & Charities Department.
Applications close Friday 30 October 2026.
You will be involved in drafting legal and church documentation, managing faculty applications, assisting with Ecclesiastical property transactions, and providing essential administrative support to a busy and collaborative team. The role is office based at our Leeds site, full time, working Monday to Friday 36.25 hours per week.
Reporting to Partner, Ecclesiastical & Charities Department.
Applications close Friday 30 October 2026.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing clerking, administrative and secretarial support to the Ecclesiastical and Charities Team, in particular the Diocesan Registrars for all our registries whichever office you are based in.
- Drafting of clergy licences, ordination and consecration documents, together with correspondence, from precedents.
- Using the Church of England’s online Building Management Portal (with training) to manage and prepare faculty documents, including correspondence with petitioners and the Chancellor.
- Preparing transactional property documents (including contracts, transfers, leases and replies to enquiries) in Ecclesiastical property transactions and liaising with the Land Registry, search providers and HMRC to obtain official copies of documents and searches and to deal with post-completion filings and registrations.
- Liaising with clients and third parties to progress transactional property matters as appropriate.
- Meeting deadlines and producing accurate work to a high standard.
- Performing research into legal documents, registers, deeds and records.
- Responding to routine correspondence to include answering questions regarding faculty process, and other simple questions (with training) regarding churchyard memorials, baptisms and weddings.
- Answering the telephone and taking messages, dealing with clients’ queries promptly and efficiently, either personally or by passing the message to a Partner or another colleague, with a written note of the call.
- Checking Registry emails, including covering for absent colleagues and responding appropriately.
- Assisting with opening and closing of files on the case management system used by the practice.
- Updating files and records on the case management system.
- Managing the Registry and practice filing systems, including electronic file management on the IT systems, following correct procedures to aid rapid retrieval and provide an effective source of information.
- Archiving departmental files, documents, registers and other papers.
- Production of client bills as and where necessary, including monthly and quarterly invoices.
- Filing, photocopying and other general duties as required.
- Providing key support to the team in relation to risk compliance matters.
- Diary management, booking meeting rooms and making travel arrangements.
- Demonstrating awareness of the value of the in-house quality standards to the individual and the firm and the willingness to play a part in maintaining them.
- Complying with the policies of the practice.
- Some production of correspondence with a high degree of accuracy.
- Carry out any other reasonable tasks as and when it may be required.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential:
- Strong administrative and organisational skills
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage workload and meet deadlines
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and general IT systems
Desirable:
- Previous experience in a legal or professional services environment
- Familiarity with case management systems
- Interest in ecclesiastical law or charity law
Disclosure will be required in the event that a position is offered.
Financial checks will be required in the event that a position is offered.
Benefits
What we offer?
- Competitive salary
- Bonus potential
- Career development opportunities
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Options to buy & sell 1 week’s holiday
- 1 week’s holiday carry over
- Extra day off for your birthday
- Staff card discount scheme for local shops
- Social days and evenings on the firm
- Staff discounts on legal services
Positive Work Environment:
- Be part of a supportive team that values collaboration and teamwork.
- Locations
- Leeds, England, United Kingdom