Property Lawyer or Senior Property Lawyer

You will deal with the full range of commercial work, as well as other matters including landlord and tenant, some acquisitions and disposals and giving general advice to other departments in the council. You will assist on capital projects including regeneration and infrastructure schemes, and work alongside the contracts team regarding secured lending. You will assist in the development of graduate surveyors, and depending on your experience there may be supervision of more junior members of the team. There is the opportunity to specialise in housing or highways law if you wish; the role can be moulded around you.

You are pro-active, and have a pragmatic, flexible and commercial approach to problem solving. You have a good knowledge of commercial property law and land law together with a commercial approach to all areas of your work. You have excellent communication skills and are organised. You can influence people and ensure your advice is understood. You are a qualified solicitor, barrister, or legal executive. You are adaptable and understand working in a politically sensitive environment, and work effectively with colleagues and are committed to team success. You take responsibility for delivering your own tasks and are committed to continuing professional development. You take pride in your and our successes in delivering exceptional legal services.

Portsmouth Legal Services is a friendly hardworking and dedicated team of approximately 40 lawyers and assistant staff who provide commercial and litigation support to the Council departments. We are committed to ensuring an excellent service in all aspects of our work. The property team offers a friendly and supportive environment. Our property lawyers rarely leave save to retire which is how this post has arisen. Team management is supportive or more involved if required or you wish. Our priorities are happy clients, happy team and work of a high standard.

We really appreciate our employees and fully realise they are essential to our success and look to offer an inclusive, supportive working environment where employees can reach their potentials with a healthy work life balance, offering the following rewards:

• Generous annual leave (27 days per year rising to 31, pro rata for part time hours) with the potential to purchase additional leave.


• A fantastic pension which allows you the opportunity to pay in more for that greater return.


• Flexible working options including hybrid working with a minimum of two days office based per week pro rata, giving you the flexibility to work up to three days at home every week. Hybrid working is dependent on the role and service needs, exact details will be discussed with you at interview.


• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities including apprenticeships.


• Extensive wellbeing support through the Employee Assistance Programme


• Discount on travel, travel loans and the bike loan scheme


• Discounts on a wide range of goods and services - access a range of discounts and offers from thousands of restaurants, shops and more.


Staff rewards: https://careers.portsmouth.gov.uk/working-for-the-council