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- Tasks: Provide legal advice to the Church of England's national institutions on diverse and engaging legal matters.
- Company: Join a supportive and inclusive team within the National Church Institutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working with senior stakeholders in a meaningful role.
- Qualifications: Qualified barrister or solicitor with strong advisory experience and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion in a dynamic workplace that values your contributions.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 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 (including statutory corporations and a Royal Charter corporation). The largest of these are the Archbishops’ Council, a national policy and strategic decision‑making body, the Church Commissioners, a substantial endowment fund with assets valued at £11.1bn (2024) that has positioned itself at the forefront of Responsible Investment and which supports the mission of the Church, and the Church of England Pensions Board which stewards a £3.4bn fund. 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.
Our Team. Our professional team is small, inclusive and comprises 17 legally qualified staff, including three paralegals and two support staff. Our members come from diverse professional backgrounds, including private practice, the Bar, government and regulators.
Our Work. We provide advice on diverse and intellectually stimulating points of law at the intersection of public and private law. The work is high quality, groundbreaking, engaging and rewarding. We are a collegiate and supportive team, proud of what we do.
Hybrid Working. Most team members work 1–2 days per week in the office, depending on business need. You will be required to be available in person for some committee and legislative business, including two weeks each year for the sittings of the General Synod.
About The Role. As a member of the Legal Office Advisory Team, you will provide legal services to the National Institutions of the Church of England, focused on giving legal advice across a diverse and interesting range of subjects that bear on the operations of the Church Commissioners and other parts of the national Church of England. You will join us at an exciting time for the organisation, and the role offers genuine career growth and development in a supportive environment, including interaction with some of the most senior stakeholders in the organisation. You will take a leading and meaningful role in existing and new projects and undertake a wider range of duties as a legal adviser within the National Church Institutions.
In This Role You Will:
- Work with senior colleagues and stakeholders to provide advice to the Church Commissioners, Archbishops’ Council, and Church of England Pensions Board, their committees and departments on legal and procedural issues including constitutional and governance matters, legal powers, and statutory interpretation.
- Work with colleagues to support the work of the Church of England’s legislative and deliberative assembly, the General Synod, including the passage of legislation.
- Support senior colleagues and stakeholders in the work of a national board‑level committee that adjudicates on proposals for the re‑organisation of the Church of England and the future of its historic and unique buildings, including advising on legal questions, drafting statements of reasons, and appeals.
- Support senior colleagues and stakeholders in the Church Commissioners’ co‑regulation of cathedrals along with the Charity Commission.
- Work with stakeholders and senior colleagues to support several national change‑management programmes, including the establishment of a national redress scheme.
- Support the development and roll‑out of training and knowledge management across the national Church of England.
Key Role Requirements. The position requires hybrid working: most team members work 1–2 days per week in the office. You will be available in person for committee and legislative business, including two weeks each year for the General Synod sittings.
About You. The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves. We welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, and we particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under‑represented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to recruiting disabled people and offer interviews to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the role.
To be Successful in this role, you will need to 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:
Your Salary. A salary of circa £73,000 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).
- Flexible working arrangements are considered on a case‑by‑case basis to support work‑life balance.
- Family‑friendly programmes, including enhanced maternity leave, adoption leave, paternity leave and shared parental leave.
- Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities, including apprenticeships.
- Medicash cover, including routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations and therapy treatments; unlimited access to virtual GP and private prescription services and health and stress‑related helplines.
- Occupational health and Employee Assistance Programme.
- Access to the Department of Education Restaurant and Westminster Abbey with a plus‑one guest.
- Eligibility for an eye‑care voucher.
- Opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports & Social Club and staff networks.
About National Church Institutions. The National Church Institutions comprise a wide variety of teams, professions and functions that support the mission and ministries of the Church of England in its vision to be a church, centred on Jesus Christ, for the whole nation – a church that is simpler, humbler, bolder.
We Include. You Belong. Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions 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, whatever 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
- 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. We encourage applications from a diverse group of people who share our values.
Important Notice. You must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for the role.
Legal Counsel - Advisory employer: The Church of England
Contact Detail:
The Church of England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel - Advisory
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees of the Church of England or similar organisations. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of public and private law. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the unique challenges faced by the National Church Institutions.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for the mission of the Church of England. During interviews, share why you’re excited about contributing to their work and how your values align with theirs.
✨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 serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel - Advisory
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Legal Counsel role. Highlight your relevant experience in contracts, commercial or advisory law, and show how your skills align with our mission at 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 of jargon.
Research Our Values: Familiarise yourself with the values of the National Church Institutions. Reflect these values in your application to show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for our culture and mission.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Church of England
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key areas of law relevant to the role, especially public and private law. Familiarise yourself with the legal frameworks that govern the Church of England and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Legal Counsel, clear communication is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated complex legal concepts in the past. Think about times when your advice led to successful outcomes and be ready to share those stories.
✨Understand Their Mission
Dive deep into the Church of England's mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goals, especially in terms of responsible investment and community engagement.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think through potential legal challenges the Church might face and how you would approach them. This will demonstrate your ability to provide pragmatic advice on complex issues.
