Property Lawyer – AR

Job descriptionRTB Property LawyerGrade: PO4Reports to: Senior Property LawyerDirect reports: NoneYour team: Property and Planning TeamService area: ResourcesDirectorate: Law and GovernanceWorkstyleDesk-based worker (Lower presence, one day a week minimum)Colleagues who are not usually client or customer-facing and can mostly work anywhere with the right technology. Regular on-site activities are required such as team events and collaboration that are more productive face to faceOur missionIslington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.Overview of the roleA property lawyer specialises in legal matters related to property transactions and conveyancing. You will advise clients on buying, selling, leasing, and developing residential or commercial property. The responsibilities include drafting and reviewing contracts, conducting due diligence, ensuring compliance with property laws, resolving disputes, and managing land registration processes. You will work closely with clients, estate agents, external parties to ensure Property lawyers also handle issues like planning permissions, and landlord and tenant matters. You will work closely with clients, estate agents, and local authorities to ensure smooth and legally sound transactions. Your expertise will help protect clients’ interests and prevent legal complications in property dealings.Key responsibilitiesManage a substantial personal caseload in relation to residential conveyancing and commercial property matters, including providing legal advice and drafting comprehensive documents, including property transfer documents, leases, licences and tenancies at will offering specialised expertise in your field.To draft, negotiate and agree documentation for all types of conveyancing and property transactions as required, so as to protect effectively the Council’s interests.Stay current with developments in relevant areas of law and inform the Senior Lawyer about any implications for the team’s work.Advise on the Council’s powers and decision-making processes, ensuring the legality of its decisions and risk mitigation.Act as an advocate for the Council in relevant courts, tribunals, and inquiries, and instruct Counsel to represent the Council when necessary.Contribute to the efficient operation of the team and Legal Services as a cohesive unit, fostering collaboration and supporting colleagues to achieve shared goals.Responsive to client needs and ensures that work reflects best practices and meets performance targets outlined in Service Level Agreements.Create and Input data and utilise the case management system for reporting purposes. Provide regular updates on caseload status to clients, internal partners, colleagues, and management.Achieve the chargeable hours target for the position and meet the performance and quality standards set by the Legal Service Management Team.ComplianceEnsure adherence to legal, regulatory, and policy requirements under GDPR, Health and Safety, Employee Code of Conduct and in your area of expertise by identifying opportunities and risks, and escalating issues as necessary.Person specificationYour application form needs to demonstrate how you fulfil the role’s requirements. It is essential to address the criteria, as this will be used to evaluate your suitability for the position.Essential and desirable criteriaEssential: the basic requirements that must be met for someone to be considered for a particular job. These criteria are mandatory and cannot be negotiated. Essential criteria directly impact the core qualifications or skills necessary to perform the job effectively.Desirable: the additional qualities, skills, or qualifications that would be advantageous for a candidate to possess but are not mandatory. Not meeting them does not automatically disqualify someone from consideration for the job. This also allows candidates who do not possess certain desirable criteria the opportunity to explain how their other knowledge, experience and skills relate to these and what they may be in the process of doing or willing to do to achieve these.Knowledge, experience, and skills1. Essential – Admitted solicitor or qualified barrister in England (or comparable jurisdiction) or fellow of the chartered Institute of Legal Executives.2. Desirable – Significant post‑qualification experience in the legal profession.3. Essential – Thorough knowledge of and ability to apply the law and practice relating to Conveyancing and Property Law (including landlord and tenant).4. Essential – Thorough knowledge of County Court, High Court and Property Law practice and procedure.5. – Ability to obtain evidence, evaluate evidence, prepare cases and instruct counsel to appear as an advocate where appropriate, on behalf of the Council in Courts, Tribunals and Inquiries.6. Essential – Ability to comply with good practice management standards as laid down by the Law Society or other relevant body.7. Desirable – Ability to deal with legal matters and complex general Property Law cases.8. Essential – Ability to manage workload to a high standard and comply with KPIs, time recording targets or any other performance management indicators targets set by Legal Services Management Team, using appropriate casework management and technology to support.9. Essential – Ability to review and advise on new legislation, case law and other developments.10. Essential – Ability to assist the Principal Lawyer with the development and implementation of procedures, practices and systems for the provision of an effective Property service, ensuring compliance with Law Society or other relevant standards.11. Essential – Ability to work independently and as part of a team, developing and maintain good working relations with clients, colleagues and third parties.12. Essential – Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and orally and present arguments in a confident, articulate and persuasive manner.13. Desirable – Ability to assist with the training supervision and development of staff.14. Essential – Ability to draft and negotiate complex property documentation including those covered by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.15. Essential – This post needs to meet the requirement of the Baseline Personal Security Standard.16. Essential – This post is designated as politically restricted.Our accreditationsOur accreditations include Disability Confident Leader, The Mayor’s Good Work Standard, London Living Wage Employer, Stonewall Diversity Champion, and Employer with Heart. #J-18808-Ljbffr