Principal Property Litigation Lawyer

Overview

A major UK charity responsible for maintaining 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks, and reservoirs is seeking a Principal Property Litigation Lawyer to join their Legal team. This role involves leading legal advice and management of property-related disputes arising from the organization’s operational and investment property portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Lead the conduct of property law disputes across the operational estate, including issues related to title, trespass, boundary disputes, rights and easements, restrictive covenants, rights of support, and nuisance claims involving adjoining landowners, tenants, and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to managing legal risk on property disputes connected to engineering, estates, utilities, and business boating activities.
• Assist Senior Lawyers in providing strategic advice to Senior Managers and the Executive on litigation risks affecting the estate and assets within the broader estate and asset management strategy.
• Manage high-value disputes (both claimant and defendant) related to asset and infrastructure responsibilities, including retaining walls, embankments, bridges, harbours, flood defences, water resources, highways, and reservoirs, often involving other public and third sector infrastructure owners.
• Supervise a Property Litigation Lawyer and Paralegal; collaborate closely with the Claims Manager and coordinate external legal support, including Counsel.
• Work alongside the Senior Litigation Lawyer on property litigation matters involving boating and mooring disputes.

Requirements

• Qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with at least 10 years of property litigation experience in private practice or in-house.
• Proven ability to independently lead a substantial caseload of major property litigation.
• Experience leading strategic legal risk discussions at senior management levels.
• Experience supervising and coordinating legal and expert teams, including Counsel.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build collaborative relationships across all organizational levels and with external advisers.
• Commitment to health and safety policies, including risk assessment and appropriate use of equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within or advising on property disputes related to public or third sector infrastructure.
• Ability to provide pragmatic legal advice balancing risk and operational needs.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary of £55,000.
• Competitive pension scheme.
• Increasing holiday entitlement.
• A range of additional employee benefits.

Working Hours & Location

• Full-time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
• Remote working with occasional attendance at main hub locations as required.

Additional Information

• The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.
• Reasonable adjustments are available during the recruitment process for candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity, or health conditions.
• Part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements can be considered.
• A Guaranteed Interview Scheme is in place for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria.
• The recruitment process may involve AI-assisted application analysis, but all hiring decisions are made by hiring managers.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early as the vacancy may close once sufficient suitable applications are received.