Compusory Purchase Lawyer

One of Europe's largest project is building one of the most sophisticated and advanced transport system.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Property Counsel (compulsory purchase) specialising in property and compulsory purchase (ideally with experience of working for public sector bodies).

As a Property Counsel (compulsory purchase) you will play a key role by working with colleagues across the project, providing expert legal advice which is critical to delivery and future operation of the largest infrastructure project in Europe. You will be required to advise on a broad range of topics and provide a full range of advice and key internal stakeholders on property and planning matters with a particular focus on compulsory purchase in order to minimise exposure and risk whilst ensuring compliance with legislation and regulations and timely delivery of property requirements.

This role will provide you with unique experience of working directly with clients, managing your own matters, dealing with high-value and programme critical cases, understanding how an infrastructure project is delivered in practice and dealing with the complex issues that arise as a result of working alongside government sponsors and other private and public sector stakeholders - experience that is exclusive to this once in a generation project that is doing things differently. From modern methods of construction to destination net zero, utilising cutting-edge innovation to deliver in the best way.

In this role, you will be required to assist on a variety of project requirements:

• Providing high quality advice to staff at all levels on compulsory purchase in connection with, including service of notices, blight, tribunal claims and associated compensation issues and discretionary property schemes.
• Providing high quality advice on compensation and disputes (including Tribunal claims) arising out of exercise of CPO powers and managing litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") in relation to the same.
• Providing high quality advice to to the Land & Property Approvals Panel, dealing with approvals of statutory Blight Notices, General Vesting Declaration ("GVD")/Compulsory Purchase Order Counter-Notices and the non-statutory compensation schemes (such as Rural Support Zone, HOP and Need to Sell schemes) and on litigation flowing from Blight and GVD Counter-Notices.
• Assisting with advising on and obtaining additional powers (when required), including Development Consent Orders (securing protective provisions), TCPA 1990 planning permissions, use of Permitted Development Rights and Listed Building consents.
• Providing high quality advice on planning matters and assisting with litigation cases involving planning matters.
• Handling own case load of a variety of complex property/compulsory purchase matters which in some cases will include drafting and negotiating bespoke agreements.
• Researching/advising on the Act powers including but not limited to compulsory purchase, access, possession, planning and protective provisions.
• Assisting the Land and Property team with commercial matters, including commercial contracts, costs agreements and confidentiality agreements.
• Providing high quality advice on property law in connection with , including the acquisition and disposal of commercial, residential & agricultural properties, granting and taking leasehold interests, landlord and tenant matters, granting easements to utilities and other stakeholders; and related template documentation.
• Providing high quality advice internally on the operation of and compliance with U&As. Delivering training to improve quality and efficiency of outcomes for in connection with compulsory purchase matters.
• Acting as a point of contact between external parties, such as external lawyers, Department for Transport, land and property team, and other internal stakeholders in order to ensure consistency and open communication.
• Instructing external lawyers to provide advice and to act on compulsory purchase matters (including Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) claims) and property matters and acting as liaison with external lawyers and assist with monitoring performance and cost.
• Drafting, updating and maintaining standard form template documentation in order to continuously improve performance, compliance and consistency across the business and effective working practices.
• Assisting in the preparation of legal advice and other reports and briefings for staff across, including senior management, to maintain open communication and support decision making.
• Attending internal governance meetings with colleagues and provide advice at such meetings, including to senior members of staff.
• Updating and maintaining databases relating to property acquisitions to ensure accurate and relevant data is available for audit purposes and to advise and inform decision making.
• Conducting research into relevant legislation, case law and procedures to ensure up to date and compliant and report to colleagues as necessary.
• Spending dedicated time with the L&P team to assist with ad hoc queries and to provide open access to legal advice.
• Attending meetings including with senior management as legal representative on property/compulsory purchase issues.
• Delivering training to improve quality and efficiency of outcomes in connection with compulsory purchase matters.
• Supervising the work of any trainee solicitor or legal assistant in the Legal team from time to time as required.
• In all cases providing advice in such a way so as to ensure that the business is not exposed to undue risk and that consistent standards are adhered to.
• Actively promoting and embedding Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all your work, and support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies and procedures on EDI.

About You:
Skills:

• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team in a high pressured, demanding environment, on wide ranging property, planning and compulsory purchase issues.
• Problem solving skills, including working without established precedent or procedure.
• Planning and organisational skills in order to manage a high, diverse and complex caseload.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written, with colleagues and stakeholders
• Ability to understand the challenges facing the delivery of a major infrastructure project and the role of the in-house legal function as a key contributor to successful delivery.
• Ability to produce and present information, documents and reports to a variety of audiences and stakeholders.
• Interpersonal and influencing skills including ability to conduct negotiations and influence.

Knowledge:

• Qualified solicitor with post-qualification experience in compulsory purchase law and property/planning law.
• Knowledge gained in house or in private practice dealing with government departments, utilities and/ or transport undertakers and on projects involving the exercise of compulsory acquisition powers.

Type of experience:

• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team on a wide range of property issues
• Experience advising on construction or infrastructure projects.
• Experience of advising on compulsory purchase and planning matters.

Excellent opportunity to further your career in a varied role with some of the most modern and varied experience available in this field.

Good salary and excellent benefits.

This role could be worked from anywhere in England or Wales. There maybe the occasional visit to London or Birmingham.

Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group STEM Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.