At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Commercial Property team as a Senior Property Lawyer, providing expert legal advice.
- Company: Surrey County Council, a dynamic local government organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26-31 days holiday, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your legal skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with 5+ years of relevant experience.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 61784 - 67859 £ per year.
The starting salary for this role is £61,784 to £67,859 per annum depending on experience based on a 36 hour working week. We have a great opportunity to join our Commercial Property team as a qualified Senior Solicitor or Lawyer. We are looking for a flexible and motivated colleague to join this friendly team. Our work is interesting and varied and we work for informed and appreciative client teams. The Council adopts a hybrid working policy with flexible working arrangements which includes access to our offices in Reigate and Weybridge combined with remote or home working. We come together in person for 2 days per week on average (40% of the working week). The team are very approachable with regular catch ups when working remotely.
Our Offer to You
- 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (prorated for part time staff)
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.
About the Team
The team sits alongside other teams in the County's Legal Services. It supports the work of the County in relation to all aspects of land and property management. You will be working as part of a team of property Lawyers to provide advice across a broad range of legal property (and related) issues to support the Council in the provision of its services. As a Senior Lawyer in the team, you will play an active role in the management of the team and will deputise for the Principal Lawyer alongside actively contributing to the future delivery of first-class legal services.
About the Role
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. You'll play a key part by being able to:
- Negotiate and draft landlord and tenant transactions such as leases, licences and assignments
- Draft wayleaves, easements and third-party consents
- Undertake freehold acquisitions and disposals of land and buildings
- Advise in relation to trusts and placing charges on properties related to deferred payment agreements
- Undertake 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
- Advise and process of applications relating to commons and town and village greens
The role will require:
- An 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 focused advice
- A willingness to independently develop in new areas of work
- A team player who supports colleagues and the work of the team
- 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
Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- You are a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX with substantial experience of the law and practice in this area (5 years+ PQE or demonstrable equivalent) and eligible to practise in England and Wales with a current practicing certificate issued by the relevant regulatory authority
- Demonstrate recent legal experience in the relevant areas of law
- Experience of working with clients at all levels and ability to give clear, accurate and practical advice
- Ability to take on urgent, and sometimes unfamiliar, matters at short notice
- Ability to manage competing priorities to achieve client deadlines
Contact Us
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 1st February 2026 with interviews to take place week commencing 9th February 2026. If you are looking for a role which is both varied and interesting with an opportunity to develop your existing skills and employment experience by working in local government, please click the apply button below to submit your application.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities. 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!
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Senior Property Lawyer in Reigate employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Property Lawyer in Reigate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who work in local government or property law. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of local government powers and property law. Be ready to discuss how you can bring value to the team and tackle the challenges they face. Show them you're not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your soft skills! Being a team player and having excellent client care are crucial in this role. Share examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated or resolved conflicts.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the team there.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Property Lawyer in Reigate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your substantial experience in property law. We want to see how your 5+ years of PQE or equivalent experience makes you the perfect fit for our team!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and behaviours we’re looking for, like your ability to manage competing priorities and provide clear advice.
Be Yourself: We’re all about being approachable and friendly, so let your personality shine through in your application. Show us why you’d be a great addition to our team culture!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of commercial property law and local government powers. Familiarise yourself with recent cases or changes in legislation that could impact the role. This will not only show your expertise but also your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to manage a varied workload and provide practical advice. Think about times when you successfully negotiated leases or handled complex property transactions, as these will be key talking points during the interview.
✨Be a Team Player
Since this role involves working closely with a team, be ready to discuss how you’ve collaborated with colleagues in the past. Highlight any experience supervising junior members or contributing to team goals, as this will resonate well with the friendly team dynamic they’re looking for.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team’s current projects or challenges they face. This shows that you’re not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to their success. It’s a great way to demonstrate your proactive approach and eagerness to make a difference.