Environment Agency

Property Lawyers

Salary: £39,635

Locations: Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Peterborough, Leeds or Reading

Post type: Permanent

Working pattern: Full Time, Part Time

Reference: 29312

Lawyers in the Property Law team provide specialist property law advice on a wide range of fascinating property related work including large strategic projects, commercial property, sustainability, net zero, biodiversity net gain and the Government’s Land Strategy as well as advising on transactional property law work. This will typically include title due diligence, for the acquisition of land and interests, drafting and negotiating licences, options, transfers, easements and leases necessary for the Environment Agency to operate.

It is anticipated that the post holder will work generally across the Property Law Team with the opportunity to assist with the provision of advice on the development of key national flood defence projects and commercial acquisition/disposal as well as supporting other Legal Services colleagues across a broad range of property related work. We welcome candidates with a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds who bring with them skills in these areas or other transferable skills.

With support for your in-role development, you will have some autonomy over managing your own caseload. You will be responsible for accurate and timely legal advice to the Environment Agency.

Your work will support the Environment Agency in furthering its objectives to protect and enhance the environment. You will be helping to deliver the Environment Agency’s Action Plan (EA2025 creating a better place) and the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.

You will work in an organisation that aspires for inclusivity in our workforce and an organisation that embraces equal opportunities and flexible working arrangements, ensuring everyone can contribute and succeed.

The team

The Property Law Team consists of 11 lawyers, 2 paralegals and three Team Leaders. The team is multidisciplined with lawyers specialising in commercial property, agricultural law, disposals and acquisitions, large scheme work, asset management and landlord and tenant work. The Team is located across 5 offices, managed by three team leaders. The mix of senior and junior lawyers provides a supportive culture with systems in place facilitating sharing of knowledge and experience.

What Do You Need:

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive

• 0-5 Years post-qualification experience.

• Must have current rights to practice law in England and Wales.

We’re looking for people with:

Strong grounding in property law with experience handling legal and technical issues. Ability to quickly grasp and adapt to new legal issues, demonstrating confidence and agility. Excellent relationship-building skills, gaining client trust and understanding their objectives. Problem-solving mindset with drive and perseverance. Effective team player, capable of providing clear legal advice and managing deadlines. An understanding of landlord and tenant legislation (including 1954 Act), an ability to identify risks on title review and experience in general transactional property matters. Exposure to Agricultural tenancies or contentious business lease renewals welcomed. A passion to make a difference by contributing to the fulfilment of the Environment Agency's statutory functions and duties and its work to foster climate change resilience.

Contact and Additional Information

Hours of work : 37 hrs FTE A generous career average pension scheme, which means you will build up benefits based on your pay each scheme year rather than your final salary. Whilst you are in the pension scheme we will also pay an employer contribution. We currently pay 19%, so this is a very generous scheme. 27 days holiday + bank holidays for full-time employees or equivalent, depending on working pattern We also offer up to two days paid environmental outcome days each year. These give you the opportunity to take part in community activities with a clear environmental outcome. This is a full-time role. There may be the option for flexible and/or part-time working upon request. For further information, please contact alison.parker@environment-agency.gov.uk or viviene.whiteaker@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Closing date: 1 September 2024, 23:55 hours.