Job Description
Job description
Job Description
Senior Lawyers in the Property Law team provide specialist property law advice on a wide range of fascinating property related work including large strategic projects, commercial property, sustainability, net zero, biodiversity net gain and the Government’s Land Strategy as well as advising on transactional property law work. This will typically include title due diligence, for the acquisition of land and interests, drafting and negotiating licences, options, transfers, easements and leases necessary for the Environment Agency to operate.
It is anticipated that the post holder will work generally across the Property Law Team with the opportunity to advise on the development of key national flood defence projects and commercial acquisition/disposal as well as supporting other Legal Services colleagues across a broad range of property related work. We welcome candidates with a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds who bring with them skills in these areas or other transferable skills.
You will manage your own caseload and will be responsible for accurate and timely legal advice to the Environment Agency.
Your work will support the Environment Agency in furthering its objectives to protect and enhance the environment. You will be helping to deliver the Environment Agency’s Action Plan (EA2026 creating a better place) and the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.
You will work in an organisation that aspires for inclusivity in our workforce and an organisation that embraces equal opportunities and flexible working arrangements, ensuring everyone can contribute and succeed.
The team
The Property Law Team consists of 11 lawyers, 2 paralegals and three Team Leaders, currently adopting a hybrid work model combining home and office arrangements.
Experience/skills Required
What Do You Need:
• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive
• At least 5 Years post-qualification experience.
• Must have current rights to practice law in England and Wales.
You will have:
• Excellent grounding in property law with a track record of handling complex legal and technical issues.
• Willingness and aptitude to rapidly grasp and adapt to new legal issues, demonstrating confidence and agility.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, gaining client trust and understanding their objectives.
• Drive and perseverance to problem solve.
• Experience of supervising and supporting junior team members.
• Ability to write clear legal briefings for use at director/board/government level and to compose correspondence in response to challenging external questions.
• Strong influencing and persuasive abilities, capable of engaging and convincing individuals at all levels, including organisational leaders.
• Preferred experience in agricultural law, contentious landlord and tenant or large infrastructure projects with exposure to CPO/DCO processes.
Contact and additional information
• Additional Market Forces Factor payment; £5,250.
• Generous career average pension scheme, which means you will build up benefits based on your pay each scheme year rather than your final salary.
• Whilst you are in the pension scheme we will also pay an employer contribution. We currently pay 1+%.
• 27 days holiday + bank holidays for full-time employees or equivalent, depending on working pattern
• We also offer up to two days paid environmental outcome days each year. These give you the opportunity to take part in community activities with a clear environmental outcome.
• This is a full-time role. There may be the option for flexible and/or part-time working upon request.
Interviews take place w/c 7 October 2026.
For further information, please contact LASrecruitment@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competence 1
Achieves Results
Description
Please give an example of how you would approach presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.
Competence 2
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Description
Please can you describe a situation where you met the needs of a client in challenging circumstances in order to provide an effective and rapid response?
Competence 3
Legislative Knowledge
Description
Can you give us an example of a matter that you have been involved with that demonstrates the knowledge and experience that you would bring to this role?
Role specific professional membership requirements
Current Practising Certificate
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1+++, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
Job Description
Senior Lawyers in the Property Law team provide specialist property law advice on a wide range of fascinating property related work including large strategic projects, commercial property, sustainability, net zero, biodiversity net gain and the Government’s Land Strategy as well as advising on transactional property law work. This will typically include title due diligence, for the acquisition of land and interests, drafting and negotiating licences, options, transfers, easements and leases necessary for the Environment Agency to operate.
It is anticipated that the post holder will work generally across the Property Law Team with the opportunity to advise on the development of key national flood defence projects and commercial acquisition/disposal as well as supporting other Legal Services colleagues across a broad range of property related work. We welcome candidates with a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds who bring with them skills in these areas or other transferable skills.
You will manage your own caseload and will be responsible for accurate and timely legal advice to the Environment Agency.
Your work will support the Environment Agency in furthering its objectives to protect and enhance the environment. You will be helping to deliver the Environment Agency’s Action Plan (EA2026 creating a better place) and the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.
You will work in an organisation that aspires for inclusivity in our workforce and an organisation that embraces equal opportunities and flexible working arrangements, ensuring everyone can contribute and succeed.
The team
The Property Law Team consists of 11 lawyers, 2 paralegals and three Team Leaders, currently adopting a hybrid work model combining home and office arrangements.
Experience/skills Required
What Do You Need:
• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive
• At least 5 Years post-qualification experience.
• Must have current rights to practice law in England and Wales.
You will have:
• Excellent grounding in property law with a track record of handling complex legal and technical issues.
• Willingness and aptitude to rapidly grasp and adapt to new legal issues, demonstrating confidence and agility.
• Excellent relationship-building skills, gaining client trust and understanding their objectives.
• Drive and perseverance to problem solve.
• Experience of supervising and supporting junior team members.
• Ability to write clear legal briefings for use at director/board/government level and to compose correspondence in response to challenging external questions.
• Strong influencing and persuasive abilities, capable of engaging and convincing individuals at all levels, including organisational leaders.
• Preferred experience in agricultural law, contentious landlord and tenant or large infrastructure projects with exposure to CPO/DCO processes.
Contact and additional information
• Additional Market Forces Factor payment; £5,250.
• Generous career average pension scheme, which means you will build up benefits based on your pay each scheme year rather than your final salary.
• Whilst you are in the pension scheme we will also pay an employer contribution. We currently pay 1+%.
• 27 days holiday + bank holidays for full-time employees or equivalent, depending on working pattern
• We also offer up to two days paid environmental outcome days each year. These give you the opportunity to take part in community activities with a clear environmental outcome.
• This is a full-time role. There may be the option for flexible and/or part-time working upon request.
Interviews take place w/c 7 October 2026.
For further information, please contact LASrecruitment@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competence 1
Achieves Results
Description
Please give an example of how you would approach presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.
Competence 2
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Description
Please can you describe a situation where you met the needs of a client in challenging circumstances in order to provide an effective and rapid response?
Competence 3
Legislative Knowledge
Description
Can you give us an example of a matter that you have been involved with that demonstrates the knowledge and experience that you would bring to this role?
Role specific professional membership requirements
Current Practising Certificate
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1+++, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Senior Lawyer | Property Law Team | 2+42+ position is now open for candidates interested in the Legal Jobs sector. This role in Reading offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Legal Jobs is a plus.
