Ecclesiastical Property Associate

JMC Legal Recruitment; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Benefits package

Job summary

JMC Legal Recruitment is representing a Top 50 UK law firm in London seeking a Real Estate Solicitor (3–6 PQE) transitioning into Ecclesiastical property. You’ll advise the Church of England and related bodies on complex property matters while receiving mentoring and a clear progression path.

The team offers exceptional training, a collaborative culture, and a niche practice with meaningful community impact. Hybrid working available.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor with 3–6 years’ PQE in England & Wales.
• Experience in Commercial Property, Residential Property, Agricultural Property or a similar Real Estate practice.
• Interest in developing expertise in Ecclesiastical property law.
• Strong technical ability and excellent client care skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise on sale of church land, clergy housing and church halls.
• Handle title investigations and reconstruction from historic documents.
• Manage registered and unregistered land matters, leases, easements and boundary issues.

Skills

Property law

Client care

Commercial awareness

Education

Solicitor qualification (England & Wales)

Job description

Ecclesiastical Property Associate | 3–6 PQE | London | Top 50 UK Law Firm

This is a rare opportunity to join one of the UK's leading Ecclesiastical law teams within a highly regarded Top 50 law firm. Working alongside nationally recognised specialists, you'll advise the Church of England and its associated organisations on complex property matters while developing expertise in one of the legal profession's most unique and rewarding practice areas.

If you're an ambitious Property Solicitor looking to move beyond traditional real estate work and build a long-term career within a specialist team, this role offers exceptional quality work, first-class mentoring and a clear pathway for progression.

The Firm

A Top 50-ranked law firm that has experienced significant growth over the last two years, with no signs of slowing down. The firm is consistently recognised across its core practice areas of Private Client, Real Estate, Corporate and Dispute Resolution.

They're known for their collegiate culture, where people are encouraged to take ownership of their careers, develop their expertise and seize opportunities to progress.

Regularly recognised as one of the UK's best law firms to work for, the firm combines ambition with a genuine commitment to wellbeing, diversity and career development, making it an outstanding place to build your long-term career.

The Team

The Ecclesiastical team is one of the largest and most respected specialist practices in the country, advising on the full spectrum of legal matters affecting the Church of England.

Led by a highly regarded Partner who serves as a senior legal officer to multiple dioceses, the team combines deep ecclesiastical expertise with a broad commercial perspective. Having previously advised on complex corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, management buy-outs and corporate restructurings, the team leadership brings a unique depth of experience to this highly specialised area of practice.

Working alongside experienced specialists, you'll gain exposure to a fascinating variety of property work that combines complex legal issues with real community impact. The team has an excellent reputation for developing lawyers into recognised experts, providing exceptional mentoring, technical training and ongoing support throughout your career.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a Real Estate Solicitor with 3–6 years' PQE to transition into Ecclesiastical law, managing a varied caseload while working closely with senior members of the team on complex and often unique property matters.

Your work will include advising on the sale of church land, clergy housing and church halls, title investigations and title reconstruction from historic documentation, registered and unregistered land matters, commercial leases, easements, boundary issues and statutory procedures affecting church property.

As your experience develops, you'll enjoy increasing levels of responsibility and autonomy, building trusted client relationships, contributing to business development initiatives and establishing yourself as a recognised specialist within this niche area of practice.

What makes this opportunity stand out:

• Join one of the UK's leading Ecclesiastical property teams.
• Receive exceptional mentoring from nationally recognised specialists.
• Work on intellectually stimulating matters unavailable in most commercial property practices.
• Develop expertise within a highly respected and niche area of law.
• Benefit from genuine long-term career progression within a growing Top 50 UK law firm.
• Enjoy flexible hybrid working alongside an outstanding benefits package.

Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor with 3–6 years' PQE (England & Wales) gained within Commercial Property, Residential Property, Agricultural Property or a similar Real Estate practice.
• Strong experience advising on freehold and leasehold property matters, including registered and unregistered land.
• An interest in developing expertise within Ecclesiastical property law.
• Strong technical ability, attention to detail and excellent client care skills.
• Commercially minded, collaborative and motivated to build a long-term career within a specialist team.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the UK's foremost Ecclesiastical law teams, where you'll receive outstanding support, gain exposure to unique and complex work, and build a rewarding long-term career within a market-leading practice.