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- Tasks: Provide legal advice on contracts and commercial matters for the Church of England.
- Company: Join a diverse and inclusive team at the National Church Institutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while developing your legal career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified barrister or solicitor with strong experience in contracts and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and engagement with senior stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 58000 - 82000 ÂŁ per year.
Join Our Legal Office. The Legal Office is the in-house provider of legal services to the national policy-making and governance institutions of the Church of England (the National Church Institutions, “NCIs”), which are some of the largest charities in the UK. The Legal Office also advises the General Synod, which is a legislative assembly that makes primary and secondary legislation subject to the approval of Parliament. We are a small, inclusive team comprising 17 legally qualified staff, with three paralegals and two support staff. Our work is firmly values led and requires the provision of advice on diverse and intellectually stimulating points of law at the intersection of public and private law.
About the role: As a member of the Legal Office Advisory Team, you will be providing legal services to the National Institutions of the Church of England, focused on giving legal advice across a diverse and interesting range of subjects which bear on the operations of the Church Commissioners and other parts of the national Church of England. You will be able to take a leading and meaningful role in existing and new projects. This role will include:
- Working with senior counsel and other stakeholders in relation to drafting and reviewing contracts, and supporting effective legal compliance and due diligence.
- Providing timely, legally sound and pragmatic subject matter expertise into national projects including contractual risk reviews, and drafting and amending terms, and negotiating terms with counterparties.
- Supporting the development and roll out of training and knowledge management in connection with contracts and other areas of professional practice.
- Provision of advice to the Church Commissioners, the Archbishops’ Council, the Church of England Pensions Board, their boards, committees and staff on legal and procedural issues arising out of their work.
Key role requirements: This role requires hybrid working with some regular weekly travel to London.
About You: The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups. To be successful in this role, you will need to have/be:
- Qualified barrister or solicitor (England & Wales)
- Strong experience in your chosen area (contracts, commercial, or advisory)
- Excellent communication and drafting skills
- Ability to provide clear, pragmatic advice on complex issues
What we offer: A salary of circa ÂŁ73,000 per annum, plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of your salary.
Your Benefits: 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days within 5 years) plus eight bank holidays and three additional days (pro-rated if working part-time). We welcome all flexible working arrangement requests. We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, including enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships. Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash, providing you with many services including reimbursements of routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines. Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme.
ABOUT NATIONAL CHURCH INSTITUTIONS: The National Church Institutions comprises a wide variety of teams, professions and functions that support the mission and ministries of the Church of England. Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background. Living out our values in all that we do, we strive for excellence, show compassion, respect others, collaborate, and act with integrity. We believe our commitment to belonging and inclusion fuels our progress and drives us forward. The NCIs are a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome applications from people of all faiths and of no faith. Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for the role.
Legal Counsel - Contracts and Commercial in London employer: Church of England
Contact Detail:
Church of England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel - Contracts and Commercial in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience with contracts and commercial law. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the Church of England's operations and values. Show us that you understand the unique legal challenges they face and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves drafting and negotiating contracts, being able to demonstrate your ability to handle complex discussions will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at the National Church Institutions.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel - Contracts and Commercial in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience in contracts and commercial law, and show how your skills align with our values and the specific needs of the Church of England.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, use clear and concise language in your application. Demonstrate your drafting skills by ensuring your documents are well-structured and free from jargon.
Be Authentic: We value diversity and inclusion, so don’t hesitate to share your unique background and experiences. Let us know what drives you and how you can contribute to our mission at the National Church Institutions.
Apply Through Our Website: For a smooth application process, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it reaches the right people in our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Church of England
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of contracts and commercial law. Be prepared to discuss specific legal principles and how they apply to the Church of England's operations. This will show that you understand the unique context of the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since excellent communication is key in this role, practice articulating complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner. You might even want to prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated legal advice in previous roles.
✨Understand the Organisation's Values
Familiarise yourself with the Church of England's mission and values. During the interview, demonstrate how your personal values align with theirs, especially around compassion, integrity, and collaboration. This will help you connect with the interviewers on a deeper level.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about how you would handle specific legal scenarios or challenges. Think through potential situations related to contract negotiations or compliance issues, and be ready to discuss your thought process and decision-making strategies.
