Principal Lawyer (Property)

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?

We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Lawyer (Property) to join a well-established Local Authority legal team, providing expert legal advice across a varied and complex property portfolio. This is a senior-level position requiring extensive local authority property experience and the ability to manage a busy caseload.

The Role

Working closely with senior officers, the Corporate Property Team, and key decision-makers across the Council, you will undertake and advise on the full spectrum of local authority property transactions.

Key responsibilities will include:

• 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

To be considered, you will:

• 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.

Adecco acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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