Interim Property Counsel

£780–£800 per day (via umbrella)
Start: ASAP | Duration:
Until end of October
Location:
London or Birmingham. Min 3 days pw in the office.

We are seeking an experienced Interim Property Counsel to support a major UK infrastructure project on a contract running until the end of October. This high‑impact role requires someone who can start quickly and operate confidently within a complex, fast‑moving environment.

Ideally, we are looking for candidates with experience working on major infrastructure projects, particularly involving large‑scale land acquisition, planning, utilities and compulsory purchase.

As Interim Property Counsel, you will deliver expert legal advice on a wide spectrum of land and property matters, including:

• Acquisition and disposal of land, including compulsory purchase and acquisition of rights
• A diverse mix of commercial, residential and agricultural property issues
• Drafting and negotiating easements, leases, licences and other property agreements
• Supporting planning matters, utilities, discretionary schemes and contentious property matters
• Managing your own caseload of complex acquisition and compulsory purchase issues
• Instructing and overseeing external legal advisers to ensure quality, performance and value
• Providing timely, risk‑based advice to ensure efficient delivery of project requirements

You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams and government‑facing stakeholders, while also working independently on key matters.

You will bring:

• Qualification as a solicitor with substantial post‑qualification experience in property law
• Strong experience in property transactions, compulsory purchase and infrastructure/major projects
• Background working with government bodies, utilities or transport‑related organisations
• Comfort managing a high‑volume, complex caseload under pressure
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder‑management skills
• Ability to provide pragmatic, commercially‑aware legal advice

• Maintaining and developing property‑related templates and documentation
• Preparing legal advice, reports and briefings for internal stakeholders, including senior leadership
• Supporting accurate data and record management for audit and decision‑making
• Supervising junior team members or legal assistants when required
• Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all work

This is a rare opportunity to contribute to one of the largest land acquisition and compulsory purchase programmes in the UK
, supporting the legal delivery of a nationally significant infrastructure project. You will play a crucial role in protecting the organisation’s interests while helping to enable the project’s progress.