Liz Harford

I am a highly organized and efficient individual, a strong team player with confidence in legal drafting and advocacy. I have strong inter-personal skills and I work independently and as part of a team.

Commercial Property Solicitor - Howells Solicitors - Swansea

(2021-01)

I am currently a Commercial property solicitor in the Swansea Office. I deal with a variety of different work on a day to day basis including, sales and purchases, lease extensions and renewals, refinances and development work. I work with a range of clients including companies, developers, pension funds and multiple occupiers, I have acted in leasehold transactions from both a Landlord and Tenant perspective.

I have experience in negotiating leases. drafting Leases, rent deposit deeds, licences for works and licences to assign.

• Negotiating the grant of a new lease for a premises in the new arena development in Swansea
• Drafting a lease by reference to an existing lease for a unit in Pontypridd
• Dealing with the assignment of an existing under lease for an office in Swansea SA1 development
• Leading on the grant of a new lease to Travis Perkins
• Dealing with a lease assignment of a local public house
• Assisting with the expansion of a Welsh Bar Chain into a number of difference sites in England
• Leading on a Deed of Variation to add additional land to a lease
• Leading on a Deed of Variation to include a Mortgagee Protection clause and liaising with the management company and the original developer
• Drafting Deeds of Easement and Deeds of Variation
• Drafting and successfully submitting a claim for adverse possession
• Dealing with the purchase of a commercial unit in an Industrial Business Park in Cardiff

Trainee Solicitor - Howells Solicitors - Swansea & Cardiff

(2019-01 - 2021-12)

I completed my training contract at Howells Solicitors in Swansea & Cardiff but focused predominantly on Commercial Property. The seats I undertook whilst training were Residential Conveyancing, Commercial Property and Personal Injury.

• Running Files under the supervision of a Commercial Property solicitor
• Drafting Leases Using Heads of Terms provided by the clients
• Reporting on Leases to client and ensuring that they are fully aware of the terms of the lease
• Drafting Deeds of Variations for existing Leases
• Dealing with complex bridging loan agreements and drafting ancillary documents e.g board minutes and resolutions
• Dealing with post completion matters including drafting and submitting AP1s, tax returns and registering charges at Companies House
• Drafting Transfers of Part and ensuring they contact enough rights granted and reserved
• Drafting search reports, title reports and raising enquiries

Residential Conveyancing Legal Assistant - Howells Solicitors - Swansea

(2017-01 - 2019-12)

I am experienced in dealing with all aspects of residential conveyancing in relation to freehold, leasehold and new build properties, including help to buy schemes and help to buy ISAs. I was a fundamental member of the team. An adaptable, reliable and trustworthy individual, I also deal with the petty cash for the Swansea office, and also cover in different teams within office to cover leave and sickness.

Private Client and Residential Conveyancing Paralegal - Jennifer Melly Law - Neath

(2016-01 - 2017-12)

I have had experience in the Wills and Probate department and the Conveyancing department. I regularly take instructions from clients in order to draft Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. I attend upon elderly clients at nursing homes to take instructions and assist in dealing with their personal affairs when we act as attorney or a deputy when they lack capacity.

I have had experience in drafting oaths, inheritance tax forms and schedules of assets in order to apply for a grant of probate. I regularly use the land registry portal to obtain office copies and submit applications which I have drafted e.g applications to change the register, severance applications and assents. I have also had experience in drafting contracts and applying for searches

Criminal Law Paralegal and Police Station Representative - Goldstones Solicitors - Swansea

(2010-01 - 2015-12)

The core of my work was an ability to analyse complex information and identify relevant issues and evidence. I evaluated the impact of conflicting information to inform a mature judgement on my case work, often in the climate of considerable time constraints. I was on a 24 hour rota for representing clients at the police station which required me to be organised and manage my own time efficiently.

I made sure that my diary was kept up to date and I kept a contemporary record of work in progress in order to prioritise the relevant work and to deal with fluctuating work priorities. I acted as a role model for less experienced members of the firm. I mentored new paralegals and showed them how to deal with a diverse array of clientele.

I had to show my colleague how to act within the scope of a legal representative whilst maintaining professional integrity. I also attended at the police station to assist other police station representatives, when needed, in order to ensure cases were dealt with expeditiously. I organised my work to be certain that I complied with strictly enforced court orders.

I am committed to providing excellent customer service which was evidenced in R v F. I provi

Criminal Law Paralegal - Crown Prosecution Service, Complex Casework Unit - Swansea

(2009-01 - 2010-12)

I assisted in an eight week trial of a multi-handed cross border drugs conspiracy in which I worked alongside leading and junior counsel for the Prosecution. I worked conscientiously to ensure the efficient preparation and presentation of the case. I assisted the prosecutor in obtaining evidence from the USA.

This involved considerable research, interpretation of complex legislation and reporting my findings back to the reviewing lawyer. The result was that the lawyer was able to focus on the applications rather than the preparation which had time and cost benefits.

Marshal - Pontypridd County Court - Pontypridd

Marshalling His Honour Judge Rees and observing Family proceedings

Marshal - Swansea Civil Justice Centre - Swansea

Marshalling District Judges P. Evans and Llewellyn, obtaining a valuable insight into civil law in practice.

Voluntary Work - Crown Prosecution Service, Complex Casework Unit - Swansea

(2008-06 - 2008-08)

I was responsible for creating chronologies for numerous long standing cases. In particular, the POCA issues relating to the abuse of process case that I helped prepare successfully the preceding year. I regularly attended conferences with counsel and the police, which involved consideration of tactical and legal decisions arising from diverse and complex issues.

Voluntary Placement - Crown Prosecution Service, Complex Casework Unit - Swansea

(2007-06 - 2007-08)

I was tasked with creating chronologies for a range of cases including applications to extend the custody time limits, POCA and abuse of process. I undertook extensive research on case law specific to abuse of process arguments.

Professional Skills Course - CPM21 (2020-01 - 2021-12)

Legal Practice Course - Cardiff University (2015-01 - 2016-12)

Bar Vocational Course - Cardiff University (2008-01 - 2009-12)

LLB Law (Hons) - Law - University of Wales, Aberystwyth (2005-01 - 2008-12)

A Levels - Bishop Vaughan Catholic Comprehensive School, Swansea (2003-01 - 2005-12)

GCSEs - Bishop Vaughan Catholic Comprehensive School, Swansea (1998-01 - 2003-12)