Senior Property Lawyer

Surrey County Council; Reigate and Banstead; Hybrid; GBP 61,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in the UK is seeking a qualified Senior Solicitor or Lawyer to join their Commercial Property team. The successful candidate will manage a varied workload including providing legal advice and conducting transactions related to commercial property. This role offers a competitive salary along with flexible hybrid working arrangements. Candidates must have substantial experience in property law and possess strong advisory skills to support the Council's objectives.

Benefits

26 days' holiday increasing with service

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning and development opportunities

Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts

Qualifications

• 5+ years of PQE or equivalent in property law.
• Experience managing a diverse workload in commercial property.
• Adept in providing clear and practical legal advice.

Responsibilities

• Provide property-related advice and undertake transactional work.
• Negotiate and draft landlord and tenant transactions.
• Undertake title work and due diligence.

Skills

Substantial legal experience in commercial property

Client advisory skills

Negotiation and drafting

Risk identification

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Education

Solicitor or Barrister with current practising certificate

Job description

The starting salary for this role is £61,784 to £67,859 per annum depending on experience based on a 36 hour working week.

We have a great opportunity to join our Commercial Property team as a qualified Senior Solicitor or Lawyer. We are looking for a flexible and motivated colleague to join this friendly team. Our work is interesting and varied and we work for informed and appreciative client teams.

The Council adopts a hybrid working policy with flexible working arrangements which includes access to our offices in Reigate and Weybridge combined with remote or home working. We come together in person for 2 days per week on average (40% of the working week). The team are very approachable with regular catch ups when working remotely.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (prorated for part time staff)
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.

About the Team

The team sits alongside other teams in the County's Legal Services. It supports the work of the County in relation to all aspects of land and property management. You will be working as part of a team of property Lawyers to provide advice across a broad range of legal property (and related) issues to support the Council in the provision of its services. As a Senior Lawyer in the team, you will play an active role in the management of the team and will deputise for the Principal Lawyer alongside actively contributing to the future delivery of first‑class legal services.

About the Role

You will be expected to carry out a range of key responsibilities, which will include providing property related advice and undertaking transactional work on behalf of the Council and its companies. You will need to demonstrate experience of independently managing a varied workload relating to all aspects of commercial property asset management. You'll play a key part by being able to:

• Negotiate and draft landlord and tenant transactions such as leases, licences and assignments
• Draft wayleaves, easements and third‑party consents
• Undertake freehold acquisitions and disposals of land and buildings
• Advise in relation to trusts and placing charges on properties related to deferred payment agreements
• Undertake title work and due diligence including reports on title and first registration
• A range of advisory work from reviewing covenants, boundary disputes and adverse possession to interpreting leases, agreements and legislation and guidance
• Advise and process of applications relating to commons and town and village greens

The role will require:

• An understanding of local government powers in relation to property matters and application to transactional and advisory work
• Ability to identify risks in relation to property work and advise on options
• Flexibility to prioritise workloads and provide commercial and solution focused advice
• A willingness to independently develop in new areas of work
• A team player who supports colleagues and the work of the team
• Supervision of junior members of the team where required
• Ability to proactively manage your own caseload with minimal supervision
• Manage competing priorities to achieve client and statutory deadlines
• Ability to lead and represent Legal Services at client meetings
• Exemplary client care and organisational skills

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

• You are a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX with substantial experience of the law and practice in this area (5 years+ PQE or demonstrable equivalent) and eligible to practise in England and Wales with a current practising certificate issued by the relevant regulatory authority
• Demonstrate recent legal experience in the relevant areas of law
• Experience of working with clients at all levels and ability to give clear, accurate and practical advice
• Ability to take on urgent, and sometimes unfamiliar, matters at short notice
• Ability to manage competing priorities to achieve client deadlines.

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

This post has been designated as a politically restricted post in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

This advert closes at 23:59 on 1st February 2026 with interviews to take place week commencing 9th February 2026.

If you are looking for a role which is both varied and interesting with an opportunity to develop your existing skills and employment experience by working in local government, please click the apply button below to submit your application.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two‑tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information on our website.

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.