Legal Counsel

Sovereign Network Group; Hurn; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading Housing Association in Hurn is looking for a part-time Legal Counsel to join their In-House Legal team. This fixed-term role involves managing a caseload of legal cases, advising on property matters, and ensuring compliance with statutory processes. Candidates should have 2+ years of PQE and a strong understanding of Landlord and Tenant law. The position offers flexibility with a minimum of 2 days in the office and a comprehensive benefits package including a matched pension scheme.

Benefits

Hybrid working (minimum 2 days in the office)

25 days holiday per year plus Bank Holidays

Company pension scheme matched up to 12%

Life cover at 4x salary

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in a law firm, in-house legal department, housing association, or local authority.
• Strong understanding of Landlord and Tenant law.
• Excellent planning and prioritisation skills to meet statutory timescales.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own caseload of legal cases and collaborate with senior team members.
• Handle legal processes for Right to Acquire and Preserved Right to Buy applications.
• Advise on a wide range of property matters, including leasehold estates.

Skills

Landlord and Tenant law

Excellent verbal and written communication

Analytical and problem-solving abilities

Planning and prioritisation skills

Education

2+ years PQE

Valid Practising Certificate

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 of 1 year. You'll be working 27 hours a week reporting to one of our Senior Legal Counsels and collaborating with Legal Advisers and other Legal Counsels. Based in the Hurn office, you’ll combine home and office working with some travel to other offices as required.

Responsibilities

• Managing your own caseload of legal cases and collaborating with senior team members to provide strategic input and resolve complex matters for the business.
• Managing legal processes for statutory Right to Acquire and statutory Preserved Right to Buy applications received by SNG, including eligibility, drafting of statutory notices, and the entire conveyancing process.
• Handling asset management work for a shared ownership property portfolio, including acting for the landlord on staircasing of shared ownership leases, dealing with repossessions, and handling assignments of shared ownership leases (including transfers of the superior title on 100% staircasing when required).
• Advising on a wide range of property matters involving leasehold estates (whether SNG is landlord or leaseholder), including service charge provisions, legislation, obligations, tenancy breaches, and responses to enquiries.
• Carrying out legal reviews of title, planning, estate documents, and leases to provide reports and advice on the above.

Qualifications and Experience

• 2+ years PQE in a law firm, in-house legal department, housing association, or local authority, with experience managing a similar legal caseload.
• Strong understanding of Landlord and Tenant law and substantial experience drafting Transfers of Whole Part and residential leases.
• Excellent planning and prioritisation skills with ability to meet statutory timescales.
• Strong commercial awareness and excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to develop strong working relationships within the Legal team, internal clients, and third-party stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Valid Practising Certificate (or equivalent) to conduct Reserved Work as defined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, with responsibility for supervising members of the team not qualified to undertake Reserved Work.

Desirable

• Experience in property-related matters including Right to Buy/Acquire rules, and portfolio asset management.
• Hybrid working arrangements (currently a minimum of 2 days in the office).

Benefits

• Hybrid working (minimum 2 days in the office).
• 25 days holiday per year plus Bank Holidays.
• Company pension scheme matched up to 12%, life cover at 4x salary.
• Flexible working - commitment to offering flexibility wherever possible.

Equality and Diversity

Equality and Diversity is fundamental to creating an inclusive culture at SNG. We embrace and understand the importance of diversity of thought, especially in 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.