Principal Lawyer (Property)

Adecco Portugal; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 496,000 - 827,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible remote or hybrid working

Immediate start

Job summary

Local Authority in Chelmsford requires a Principal Lawyer (Property) for an interim assignment on a hybrid basis. The role covers acquisitions, disposals, landlord and tenant work, and development agreements, with a focus on governance and high-value transactions.

You will advise senior officers and work with the Corporate Property Manager on strategic projects, delivering commercially focused guidance while maintaining independence and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX fellow with substantial post-qualification experience.
• Significant experience handling local authority property matters and governance requirements.
• Proven expertise across acquisitions, disposals, leases and development agreements.

Responsibilities

• Acquire and dispose of freehold and leasehold property interests including commercial assets.
• Advise on landlord-tenant matters, licences to assign and variations.
• Manage business lease renewals and related agreements.
• Draft licences, wayleaves, easements and complex development contracts.
• Provide pragmatic legal advice to senior stakeholders and project teams.

Skills

Local government property law

Property acquisitions

Lease negotiations

Stakeholder management

Independent caseload management

Education

Qualified solicitor/barrister/CILEX fellow

Tools

Iken Cloud

Job description

Principal Lawyer (Property)

Location: Chelmsford / Hybrid Working
Contract: Interim Assignment
Rate: Up to £60 per hour Umbrella

Are you an experienced local government property solicitor looking for your next interim opportunity?

The Role

• Acquisition of freehold and leasehold property interests, including commercial and residential assets.
• Disposal of freehold and leasehold properties.
• Advising on landlord and tenant matters, including licences to assign and deeds of variation.
• Managing business lease renewals.
• Drafting and advising on licences, wayleaves and easements.
• Negotiating and completing commercial lease transactions.
• Drafting and advising on complex contracts relating to development sites and strategic land acquisitions.
• Providing advice on local government legal requirements surrounding property transactions, including best consideration obligations, statutory consents and governance requirements.
• Supporting major property projects and working closely with the Council's Corporate Property Manager and wider property team.
• Delivering pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice to senior stakeholders across the organisation.

About You

• Be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX with substantial post-qualification experience.
• Have significant experience handling local authority property matters.
• Possess proven expertise across acquisitions, disposals, commercial leases, landlord and tenant matters, easements and development agreements.
• Have a strong understanding of local government property law and governance requirements.
• Be able to manage a varied caseload independently and efficiently.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Be confident advising senior officers, Heads of Service, Directors and Executive-level stakeholders.
• Have a proactive, client-focused approach and the ability to hit the ground running.
• Experience using Iken Cloud would be highly advantageous, although not essential.

What's on Offer?

• Flexible remote or hybrid working arrangements.
• Opportunity to work on a broad range of high-value and strategically important property transactions.
• Senior-level position within a respected Local Authority legal team.
• Competitive rate of up to £60 per hour Umbrella.
• Immediate start available.