Legal Counsel (Property) - 12 month FTC

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A quick look at the role

The Legal Counsel - Property provides commercial property law advice to the Biffa Group to support its wide-ranging and diverse property portfolio. A member of the wider Legal Team, working closely with the Property & Planning Team and external professional advisers. You will advise on property acquisitions and disposals by way of lease, license, and freehold transfers. You will also undertake property legal due diligence, as standalone transactions, or as part of larger corporate acquisitions or tenders to secure new locations. A practical, hands-on partnering approach, coupled with the ability to build effective working relationships with the wider Biffa team, is required.

Your Core Responsibilities

1. Provide commercial property law advice in a pro-active and timely manner to the Biffa Group to support its wide-ranging and diverse property portfolio.
2. Support drafting and negotiation of heads of terms and options for commercial property acquisitions and disposals and creation of property interests whether by way of license, easement, lease or freehold interest.
3. Review, negotiate and approve commercial property leases, freehold property acquisition and disposal documentation, licenses and lettings, and easements; support the Biffa Group in negotiating these to conclusion.
4. Assist in due diligence exercises regarding leasehold and freehold properties, enquiries, replies, and searches.
5. Provide general advice on lease/license/letting-related issues such as terminations, breaks, rent reviews, and alterations.
6. Provide general advice in relation to freehold property and estates management issues, including boundary and general disputes, rights of way, easements, and compulsory purchase orders to protect the value of the Biffa Group assets.
7. Assist the property & planning team to ensure that all transactions are concluded in a timely manner.
8. Submit SDLT returns and Land Registry applications.
9. Manage and instruct external professional suppliers as necessary, particularly in connection with property searches and complex transactions.

Essential Requirements

1. Qualified solicitor (5yrs PQE) in England and Wales with in-house experience (whether as a secondee, paralegal, trainee, or fully qualified lawyer).
2. Extensive knowledge of commercial property law; landlord and tenant law; and general property law, with start-to-end transaction knowledge and practical application.
3. A truly commercial property partner with a practical, hands-on partnering approach.
4. Robust and confident enough to clearly and concisely communicate legal risk with commerciality in mind.
5. Confident with all Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams).

About Biffa

At Biffa, we love working with waste. Whether we're turning it into sustainable power, finding new ways to recycle it, or simply keeping it off the streets, we believe every day is an opportunity to improve the lives of millions. Our 11,000+ people trust us to provide a rewarding, challenging, but never dull career.

We champion diversity and equality, believing different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds are key to a creative and effective working environment.