Senior Property Lawyer
| Posting date: | 27 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £56,730 to £63,472 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 08 February 2026 |
| Location: | Reading, Berkshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Reading Borough Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
We are looking for enthusiastic and committed Senior Lawyer with expertise in commercial and residential property to join the Corporate Legal Team. You’ll be working with colleagues to support and help deliver the Council’s asset management plan. The plan deals mainly with the Council's land and property assets and looks at how these assets can be used to support the achievement of the Council's objectives by ensuring that they are used and managed as efficiently and effectively as possible.
We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.
About The Role:
Reading’s Legal Services department is composed of our highly regarded internal Corporate Legal Team, serving the needs of the Council across a wide range of functions including the provision of legal advice and support to the Council’s Property and Assets Management team.
Reading is also host to the Joint Legal Team, a long-standing shared legal service for all the Berkshire unitary councils and a recognised centre of excellence for childcare, adults, and education law.
Our customers rely heavily on the team to help deliver the Council’s objectives, so this is a thriving and growing team working for various departments in the Council.
Whatever your specialism or previous experience, you will thrive on the challenge of working in a customer-focussed environment and a team which has an ambitious agenda for the future.
You will have plenty of opportunity to join in the wider work of the Corporate Legal Team outside your specialist field in helping us to reach our team and service objectives.
We place considerable emphasis on learning and development in the role and you will be supported to develop your skills and to move to the next level in your career.
You will also be assisted by our Legal Operations Team who will support you in delivering your work as we invest further in our systems and processes and work towards Lexcel accreditation.
About You:
We are seeking a fully qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX, with significant post qualification experience to support the work of the Property Team in the Corporate Legal Team. You will report to the Principal Property Lawyer, who will support you in your work and professional development.
Our ideal candidate will:
Have sound knowledge and experience of commercial and/or residential property law and practice, (preferably in local government or the public sector).
Have experience of dealing with complex and routine commercial and/or residential property matters.
Be able to advise and support the Council’s various departments and colleagues on a range of property, landlord & tenant and development work including acquisitions, disposals, leases, property development and regeneration projects, land law and practice within the context of local government or public sector (private practice experience will also be considered).
Be confident in managing mixed property caseload.
Be able to supervise and manage fee earners within the team.
Be a team player willing to contribute to the wider objectives of the team.
Be able to deputise for the Principal Property Lawyer as and when required.
Have excellent communication, and relationship building skills.
Be able to work to tight deadlines and remain calm under pressure; and be committed to learning and development targets.
Be able to use a case management system and electronic research tools efficiently and effectively and be administratively self-sufficient.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
For more information on this position please contact Shaidah Ramzan, Legal Services Manager at: Shaidah.Ramzan@Reading.gov.ukor Jonathan Treherne at Jonathan.treherne@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Sunday 8th February 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Setup: In person at the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading
We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.
About The Role:
Reading’s Legal Services department is composed of our highly regarded internal Corporate Legal Team, serving the needs of the Council across a wide range of functions including the provision of legal advice and support to the Council’s Property and Assets Management team.
Reading is also host to the Joint Legal Team, a long-standing shared legal service for all the Berkshire unitary councils and a recognised centre of excellence for childcare, adults, and education law.
Our customers rely heavily on the team to help deliver the Council’s objectives, so this is a thriving and growing team working for various departments in the Council.
Whatever your specialism or previous experience, you will thrive on the challenge of working in a customer-focussed environment and a team which has an ambitious agenda for the future.
You will have plenty of opportunity to join in the wider work of the Corporate Legal Team outside your specialist field in helping us to reach our team and service objectives.
We place considerable emphasis on learning and development in the role and you will be supported to develop your skills and to move to the next level in your career.
You will also be assisted by our Legal Operations Team who will support you in delivering your work as we invest further in our systems and processes and work towards Lexcel accreditation.
About You:
We are seeking a fully qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEX, with significant post qualification experience to support the work of the Property Team in the Corporate Legal Team. You will report to the Principal Property Lawyer, who will support you in your work and professional development.
Our ideal candidate will:
Have sound knowledge and experience of commercial and/or residential property law and practice, (preferably in local government or the public sector).
Have experience of dealing with complex and routine commercial and/or residential property matters.
Be able to advise and support the Council’s various departments and colleagues on a range of property, landlord & tenant and development work including acquisitions, disposals, leases, property development and regeneration projects, land law and practice within the context of local government or public sector (private practice experience will also be considered).
Be confident in managing mixed property caseload.
Be able to supervise and manage fee earners within the team.
Be a team player willing to contribute to the wider objectives of the team.
Be able to deputise for the Principal Property Lawyer as and when required.
Have excellent communication, and relationship building skills.
Be able to work to tight deadlines and remain calm under pressure; and be committed to learning and development targets.
Be able to use a case management system and electronic research tools efficiently and effectively and be administratively self-sufficient.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
For more information on this position please contact Shaidah Ramzan, Legal Services Manager at: Shaidah.Ramzan@Reading.gov.ukor Jonathan Treherne at Jonathan.treherne@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Sunday 8th February 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Setup: In person at the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading
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