Are you looking for a new opportunity to develop your career in Commercial Property Law?

As a Property Lawyer at Surrey County Council, you will join a supportive, successful and Lexcel accredited in-house legal team that delivers effective legal advice, representation and assistance to the Council.

We offer hybrid working which allows for remote working but we also require regular office attendance with the aim to give everyone a balanced work/life ratio. You will be expected to attend a Surrey office a minimum of 40% of your working week, with the ability to access offices across Surrey's estate in Reigate, Leatherhead, Weybridge and Woking.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday plus public holidays (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Opportunity to join our Lawyers Career Scheme which will allow for accelerated career and salary progression based on performance
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• Family Friendly policies including excellent Maternity, Paternity and Adoption entitlements and up to 5 days carer's leave per year
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) supporting health and wellbeing
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources 

About the Role

We are looking for two flexible, motivated and ambitious qualified Lawyers with experience of Commercial Property work to join our progressive service.

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 including:

• Negotiating and drafting landlord and tenant transactions such as leases, licences and assignments
• Drafting wayleaves, easements and third party consents
• Undertaking freehold acquisitions and disposals of land and buildings
• Providing advice and transactional management of property related schools work and academy conversions
• Advising in relation to trusts related to deferred payment agreements 
• Advice and processing of applications relating to commons and town and village greens 
• Undertaking 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

The role will require:

• A good 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 focussed advice 
• A willingness to independently develop in new areas of work 
• A team player who supports colleagues and the work of the team 
• Willing to assist with the 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

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence you are a qualified solicitor, barrister or FILEX with a minimum of three years post qualification experience (or demonstrable equivalent) in commercial property law with an interest in developing this expertise further. 

Contact Us

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.

For an informal discussion please contact Kate Patel via email at Kate.Patel@surreycc.gov.uk.

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 10th August 2025 with interviews to follow.

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

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas. 

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils. 

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!