Construction and Development Finance Solicitor

Meraki Talent; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Meraki Talent in London is seeking a Construction & Development Finance Solicitor to join an established legal team on a permanent, full-time basis. The role focuses on lender-side development finance and construction matters, working alongside an experienced secured lending practice to advise on complex transactions.

You will review and negotiate contracts such as JCT, draft collateral warranties, and provide risk assessments from a lender’s perspective.

Qualifications

• 3–7 years’ PQE in non-contentious construction law.
• Experience reviewing JCT contracts and professional appointments.
• Understanding risks in property development and construction from lender perspective.
• Strong drafting, negotiation and client-relations skills.

Responsibilities

• Advising lenders on construction and development elements of finance transactions.
• Reviewing and negotiating JCT and other building contracts.
• Advising on professional appointments, collateral warranties and third-party rights.
• Reviewing security provisions and development agreements; liaising with advisers.
• Preparing lender reports and conducting construction due diligence.
• Supporting development and real estate finance transactions.

Skills

Non-contentious construction

Drafting

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Qualified solicitor

Job description

Construction & Development Finance Solicitor

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Construction & Development Finance Solicitor to join an established and growing legal team in London.

This role will sit alongside an established secured lending practice, with a particular focus on acting for lenders and funders on property development and construction finance transactions.

The successful candidate will advise on the construction aspects underpinning development projects, alongside associated finance and security arrangements. You will have direct exposure to lender clients and the opportunity to work on sophisticated transactions, combining specialist non-contentious construction expertise with real estate and development finance.

This position would suit either an experienced non-contentious construction solicitor looking to broaden their expertise into lender-side development finance, or a real estate finance solicitor with a strong understanding of construction law.

Key Responsibilities

The role will involve advising lenders on the construction and development elements of finance transactions, including:

• Reviewing and negotiating JCT and other building contracts.
• Advising on professional appointments and consultant agreements.
• Reviewing collateral warranties and third-party rights.
• Advising on assignments, novations and step-in rights.
• Reviewing performance security and other contractual protections.
• Advising on professional indemnity insurance provisions.
• Reviewing development agreements and construction-related documentation.
• Undertaking construction due diligence and preparing lender reports.
• Advising on conditions precedent relating to construction documentation.
• Supporting development and real estate finance transactions.
• Reviewing property and security documentation.
• Liaising with monitoring surveyors and other professional advisers.

About You

We are keen to hear from solicitors with approximately 3-7 years' PQE who have demonstrable experience in non-contentious construction law.

You will ideally have:

• Strong experience in non-contentious construction matters.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating JCT contracts, professional appointments and collateral warranties.
• An understanding of the risks associated with property development and construction projects.
• The ability to assess construction-related risks and report on these from a lender's perspective.
• Strong drafting, analytical and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build relationships with clients and other professional advisers.

Experience in real estate finance, secured lending or acting for banks and other funders on development finance transactions would be highly advantageous.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your expertise at the intersection of construction law and property finance.

You will gain exposure to lender-side development finance transactions, work directly with established lender clients and play an important role in the continued growth of a specialist construction and secured lending offering.

For the right candidate, this role offers an opportunity to develop a distinctive specialism within a growing area of the market.

Location: London / Hybrid

PQE: 3-7 years

Type: Permanent, Full-time