Legal Counsel

Sovereign Network Group; Christchurch; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading Housing Association is seeking a part-time Legal Counsel for a one-year fixed-term contract. The role involves managing a caseload of legal matters primarily related to Property and working collaboratively with senior legal staff. Applicants should hold a valid Practising Certificate and have a minimum of two years PQE. The position offers hybrid working and excellent benefits including 25 days holiday and a pension scheme.

Benefits

Hybrid working

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Pension scheme matched up to 12%

Flexible working

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a legal role related to Property.
• Experience managing own legal caseload of similar cases.
• Strong understanding of Landlord and Tenant law.

Responsibilities

• Manage legal processes for statutory applications.
• Undertake legal work for shared ownership properties.
• Advising on property matters and conducting legal reviews.

Skills

Property law knowledge

Excellent planning skills

Strong commercial awareness

Analytical skills

Verbal and written communication skills

Relationship building

Education

Valid Practising Certificate

2+ years PQE

Job description

Overview

Sovereign Network Group (SNG) is a leading Housing Association, committed to providing quality, affordable homes and services within sustainable, successful communities. We have a fantastic opportunity for a part time Legal Counsel to join our In-House Legal team at SNG for a fixed term contract for 1 year. You'll be working 27 hours a week reporting into one of our Senior Legal Counsels and working together with Legal Advisers and other Legal Counsels. Based in the Hurn office, you'll combine home and office working. There will be some requirements to travel to our other offices as and when required, so you should be happy to travel.

The role

You'll be responsible for your own caseload of legal cases as well as working with senior members of the team to partner with the business to resolve more complex legal cases and provide strategic input, including but not limited to:

• Managing legal processes for statutory Right to Acquire and statutory Preserved Right to Buy applications received by SNG. This includes all eligibility, drafting of all statutory notices and the entire conveyancing process.
• Carrying out legal work required for asset management of a shared ownership property portfolio including, acting for the landlord on staircasing of shared ownership leases; dealing with repossessions of shared ownership leases; acting on assignments of shared ownership leases – to include transfers of the superior title on 100% staircasing when required.
• Advising on an extensive range of property matters involving leasehold estates, whether SNG is landlord or leaseholder, including service charge provisions and legislation, understanding the extent of obligations, tenancy breach, replies to enquiries, etc.
• Carrying out legal reviews of title, planning, estate documents and leases to provide reports and advice on the above.

What we're looking for

You'll need previous experience in a similar legal role, with experience in legal matters relating to Property. We need you to have transactional experience but experience of portfolio asset management is desirable. We will provide training on aspects of property law work that are less commonly carried out where you may not have dealt with previously eg Right to Buy/Acquire rules.

• To hold a valid Practising Certificate (or equivalent) to ensure you can carry out Reserved Work as defined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, as well as be responsible for the supervision of members of the team who are not qualified to undertake Reserved Work.
• 2 years + PQE working within a law firm, in-house legal department, housing association or local authority and managing own legal caseload of similar cases.
• Strong understanding of Landlord and Tenant law and substantial experience of drafting Transfers of Whole Part and residential leases.
• Excellent planning skills with the ability to prioritise your work and able to meet the demands of statutory timescales.
• Strong commercial awareness and excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to develop strong working relationships within the Legal team, with internal clients and other third-party stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.

Equality and Diversity is fundamental to creating an inclusive culture at SNG and we embrace and understand the importance of diversity of thought, especially in our leadership positions. We welcome candidates with a growth mindset who imbue these values and are excited to be part of an organisation that is leading change.

What you'll receive from us

We have some fantastic benefits on offer, including:

• Hybrid working (currently a minimum of 2 days in the office)
• 25 Days Holiday per annum + Bank Holidays
• Company pension scheme matched up to 12%, life cover at 4x your salary
• Flexible working - we're committed to giving people flexibility as widely as possible

Our purpose is to provide good, affordable homes that are the foundation for a better life - and our vision is thriving communities, over generations. We provide over 85,000 homes and invest in communities across the South, West and East of England, including London, as well as aiming to create thousands of new affordable homes every year.

If you're looking for a role where you can really make an impact, apply now to be considered!