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- Tasks: Join our team as a Property Lawyer, providing legal advice and managing property transactions.
- Company: Surrey County Council is a supportive, Lexcel accredited legal team focused on community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 26-31 days holiday, lifestyle discounts, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a difference in local government while developing your legal expertise in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with at least three years of commercial property law experience required.
- Other info: Flexible hours available; we encourage applications from all backgrounds, including disabled candidates.
The predicted salary is between 52047 - 57125 £ per year.
Job Description
The salary range for this role is £52,047 to £57,125 per annum. This salary is based on a 36-hour working week, but we will consider applications from candidates looking for part time or flexible hours.
As a Property Lawyer at Surrey County Council, you will join a supportive, successful and Lexcel accredited in-house legal team that delivers effective legal advice, representation and assistance to the Council.
We offer hybrid working which allows for remote working but we also require regular office attendance with the aim to give everyone a balanced work/life ratio. You will be expected to attend a Surrey office a minimum of 40% of your working week, with the ability to access offices across Surrey's estate in Reigate, Leatherhead, Weybridge and Woking.
Rewards and Benefits
- 26 days' holiday plus public holidays (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
- Opportunity to join our Lawyers Career Scheme which will allow for accelerated career and salary progression based on performance
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- Family Friendly policies including excellent Maternity, Paternity and Adoption entitlements and up to 5 days carer's leave per year
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) supporting health and wellbeing
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Role
We are looking for two flexible, motivated and ambitious qualified Lawyers with experience of Commercial Property work to join our progressive service. You will be expected to carry out a range of key responsibilities, which will include providing property related advice and undertaking transactional work on behalf of the Council and its companies. You will need to demonstrate experience of independently managing a varied workload relating to all aspects of commercial property asset management including:
- Negotiating and drafting Landlord and Tenant transactions such as leases, licences and assignments
- Drafting wayleaves, easements and third party consents
- Undertaking freehold acquisitions and disposals of land and buildings
- Providing advice and transactional management of property related Schools work and Academy conversions
- Advising in relation to trusts related to Deferred Payment Agreements
- Advice and processing of applications relating to Commons and Town and Village Greens
- Undertaking title work and due diligence including Reports on Title and First Registration
- A range of advisory work from reviewing covenants, boundary disputes and adverse possession to interpreting leases, agreements and legislation and guidance
The role will require:
- A good understanding of local government powers in relation to property matters and application to transactional and advisory work
- Ability to identify risks in relation to property work and advise on options
- Flexibility to prioritise workloads and provide commercial and solution focussed advice
- A willingness to independently develop in new areas of work
- A team player who supports colleagues and the work of the team
- Willing to assist with the supervision of junior members of the team where required
- Ability to proactively manage your own caseload with minimal supervision
- Manage competing priorities to achieve client and statutory deadlines
- Ability to lead and represent Legal Services at client meetings
- Exemplary client care and organisational skills
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence that you are a qualified solicitor, barrister or FILEX with a minimum of three years post qualification experience (or demonstrable equivalent) in commercial property law with an interest in developing this expertise further.
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.
This post has been designated as a politically restricted post in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
This advert closes at 23:59 on 10th August 2025 with interviews to follow.
Local Government Reorganisation
Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.
Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information on our website.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:
- The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
- The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
Property Lawyer employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Property Lawyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Surrey County Council's recent projects and initiatives in commercial property. This knowledge will not only help you understand the context of the role but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Surrey County Council, especially those in the legal department. They can provide insights into the team culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your understanding of local government powers related to property matters. Being able to discuss how these powers apply to transactional and advisory work will demonstrate your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare specific examples from your past experience that showcase your ability to manage a varied workload and provide commercial solutions. Highlighting these skills will show that you are well-equipped to handle the responsibilities of the Property Lawyer position.
We think you need these skills to ace Property Lawyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in commercial property law. Focus on relevant roles and responsibilities that align with the job description, such as negotiating leases or managing property transactions.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Your cover letter should express your motivation for applying to Surrey County Council specifically. Mention your understanding of local government powers and how your skills can contribute to their legal team.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, clearly outline your post-qualification experience in commercial property law. Provide specific examples of cases you've managed or significant transactions you've been involved in.
Showcase Soft Skills: Emphasise your ability to work independently and manage competing priorities. Highlight your client care skills and your willingness to support junior colleagues, as these are important for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Property Law
Brush up on your knowledge of commercial property law, especially the specific areas mentioned in the job description. Be prepared to discuss your experience with negotiating leases, drafting agreements, and managing property transactions.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
Highlight your ability to manage a varied workload and adapt to changing priorities. Share examples from your past roles where you successfully balanced multiple tasks or adapted to new challenges.
✨Showcase Teamwork Skills
As a team player, it's important to convey how you support colleagues and contribute to team success. Prepare anecdotes that illustrate your collaborative spirit and willingness to assist others, especially junior team members.
✨Prepare for Client Interaction
Since the role involves leading client meetings, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you would handle client queries and provide exemplary client care, as this will be crucial in your role.
