Legal Counsel (Property) - 6 month FTC

Biffa Waste Services; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading waste management company is seeking a Legal Counsel (Property) for a 6-month FTC based in High Wycombe. You will provide expert legal advice on commercial property transactions, negotiate terms, and ensure compliance with legal requirements. Essential qualifications include being a qualified solicitor with at least 7 years of PQE and extensive knowledge of commercial property law. The role offers a hybrid working arrangement, allowing two days in the office per week, and provides an opportunity to join a dynamic team focused on innovative waste solutions.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with in-house experience required.
• Expertise in landlord and tenant law as well as general property law needed.
• Capable of managing external legal advisors.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive commercial property law advice to support the property portfolio.
• Draft and negotiate terms for commercial property transactions.
• Review and approve leases, acquisition documents, and other property-related agreements.
• Assist in due diligence for property transactions.
• Advise on lease/license termination and alterations.

Skills

Commercial property law expertise

Negotiation skills

Clear communication of legal risks

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Education

Qualified solicitor (7+ years PQE)

Job description

Legal Counsel (Property) – 6 months FTC

Salary: £70,000 - £80,000 per annum

Location: High Wycombe (Hybrid – 2 days in the office)

Start Date: ASAP

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. You will be robust and confident enough to clearly and concisely communicate legal risk with commerciality in mind.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• 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.
• 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.
• Review, negotiate and approve commercial property leases, freehold property acquisition and disposal documentation, licenses and lettings, and easements and support the Biffa Group in negotiating these to conclusion.
• Assist in due diligence exercises with regard to leasehold and freehold properties, enquiries, replies and searches.
• Provide general advice on lease/license/letting related issues such as terminations, breaks, rent reviews, alterations.
• Provide general advice in relation to freehold property.
• Provide general advice in relation to 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
• Assist the property & planning team to ensure that all transactions are concluded in a timely manner.
• Submit SDLT returns and Land Registry applications.
• Manage and instruct external professional suppliers as may be necessary particularly in connection with property searches and more complex property transactions.

Essential requirements

• Qualified solicitor (ideally 7+yrs PQE ) in England and Wales with in house experience (whether as a secondee, paralegal, trainee, or fully qualified lawyer)
• Extensive knowledge of commercial property law; landlord and tenant law; and general property law, start to end property transaction knowledge and practical application
• A truly commercial property partner with a practical, hands-on partnering approach
• Robust and confident enough to clearly and concisely communicate legal risk with commerciality in mind
• Confident with all Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Teams)

Biffa – we’re changing the way people think about waste

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. It’s a view that’s shared by our 11,000+ people around the country, who trust us to provide them with a career that’s always rewarding, often challenging, but never dull.

We believe different ideas, perspective and backgrounds are key to developing a creative and effective working environment which is why you’ll find us championing diversity and equality at every turn.