Property Lawyer - Reading

apartmentReading Borough Council placeReading calendar_month 

Full Time - Permanent and Fixed Term Contract up to 18 Months

Reading’s Legal Services department is composed of our highly regarded internal Corporate Legal Team, serving the needs of the Council across a wide range of functions including the provision of legal advice and support to the Council’s Property and Assets Management team.

Reading is also host to the Joint Legal Team, a long-standing shared legal service for all the Berkshire unitary councils and a recognised centre of excellence for childcare, adults, and education law.

We are looking for enthusiastic and committed lawyers with expertise in commercial and residential property to join the Corporate Legal Team. You’ll be working with colleagues to support and help deliver the Council’s asset management plan. The plan deals mainly with the Council's land and property assets and looks at how these assets can be used to support the achievement of the Council's objectives by ensuring that they are used and managed as efficiently and effectively as possible.

The purpose of Legal Services is to continue to provide the Council and its partners with the highest quality professional legal advice and representation which allows them to run their organisations well, and to serve our community.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service.

About the role

These posts would suit experienced lawyers who are passionate about delivering an excellent service, dealing with new work types and managing a diverse caseload. You will manage a range of commercial and residential property matters – which will include sales and acquisitions, development agreements, leases, licenses, easements, landlord and tenant matters (some of which will be complex and high-profile matters).

You will have the opportunity to play a key role in helping the Council’s various departments achieve their portfolio objectives and you will also be to share your expertise with clients and colleagues.

Whatever your specialism or previous experience, you will thrive on the challenge of working in a customer-focussed environment and a team which has an ambitious agenda for the future. You will have plenty of opportunity to join in the wider work of the Corporate Legal Team outside your specialist field in helping us to reach our team and service objectives.

You will also be assisted by our Legal Operations Team who will support you in delivering your work as we invest further in our systems and processes and work towards Lexcel accreditation.

About you

We are seeking a fully qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX, with significant post qualification experience to support the work of the Property Team in the Corporate Legal Team. You will report to the Senior Property Lawyer, who will support you in your work and professional development.

Our ideal candidate will:

Have sound knowledge and experience of commercial and/or residential property law and practice, (preferably in local government or the public sector).
Have experience of dealing with complex and routine commercial and/or residential property matters.

Be able to advise and support the Council’s various departments and colleagues on a range of property, landlord & tenant and development work including acquisitions, disposals, leases, property development and regeneration projects, land law and practice within the context of local government or public sector (private practice experience will also be considered).

Be confident in managing mixed property caseload.
Be able to support junior colleagues within the team.
Be a team player willing to contribute to the wider objectives of the team.
Have excellent communication, and relationship building skills.
Be able to work to tight deadlines and remain calm under pressure; and be committed to learning and development targets.

Be able to use a case management system and electronic research tools efficiently and effectively and be administratively self-sufficient.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day Nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted

Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact Shaidah Ramzan, Legal Services Manager at: Shaidah.Ramzan@Reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: 16th March 2025

Interview Dates: To be confirmed.

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

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