Principal Lawyer (Property)
Location: Chelmsford / Hybrid Working
Contract: Interim Assignment
Rate: Up to £60 per hour Umbrella
Are you an experienced local government property solicitor looking for your next interim opportunity?
We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Lawyer (Property) to join a well-established Local Authority legal team, providing expert legal advice across a varied and complex property portfolio. This is a senior-level position requiring extensive local authority property experience and the ability to manage a busy caseload.
The Role
Working closely with senior officers, the Corporate Property Team, and key decision-makers across the Council, you will undertake and advise on the full spectrum of local authority property transactions.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Acquisition of freehold and leasehold property interests, including commercial and residential assets.
- Disposal of freehold and leasehold properties.
- Advising on landlord and tenant matters, including licences to assign and deeds of variation.
- Managing business lease renewals.
- Drafting and advising on licences, wayleaves and easements.
- Negotiating and completing commercial lease transactions.
- Drafting and advising on complex contracts relating to development sites and strategic land acquisitions.
- Providing advice on local government legal requirements surrounding property transactions, including best consideration obligations, statutory consents and governance requirements.
- Supporting major property projects and working closely with the Council's Corporate Property Manager and wider property team.
- Delivering pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice to senior stakeholders across the organisation.
About You
To be considered, you will:
- Be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX with substantial post-qualification experience.
- Have significant experience handling local authority property matters.
- Possess proven expertise across acquisitions, disposals, commercial leases, landlord and tenant matters, easements and development agreements.
- Have a strong understanding of local government property law and governance requirements.
- Be able to manage a varied caseload independently and efficiently.
- Demonstrate excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Be confident advising senior officers, Heads of Service, Directors and Executive-level stakeholders.
- Have a proactive, client-focused approach and the ability to hit the ground running.
Experience using Iken Cloud would be highly advantageous, although not essential.
What's on Offer?
- Flexible remote or hybrid working arrangements.
- Opportunity to work on a broad range of high-value and strategically important property transactions.
- Senior-level position within a respected Local Authority legal team.
- Competitive rate of up to £60 per hour Umbrella.
- Immediate start available.
Adecco acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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Principal Lawyer (Property) in Chelmsford employer: Adecco Careers
Adecco is an excellent employer for those seeking a meaningful career as a Housing Enforcement Officer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises equal opportunities and employee development. With a commitment to professional growth and a focus on community impact, employees benefit from comprehensive training and resources in a dynamic environment that values their contributions.
