Job Description
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Senior Property Litigation Lead to join our team on a national basis. The salary on offer is £75,000 - £85,000 per annum dependent on experience and location, with eligibility for our bonus scheme of up to 10% and a 6% matched pension. Please note that as this is a national role there will be a requirement for travel and cross-business visibility.
About the role:
The Senior Property Litigation Lead is a senior solicitor with a specialism in commercial property disputes who will report directly to and support the Head of Legal in the provision of dispute resolution/litigious legal advice to the organisation.
An important aspect of the role is to develop and maintain processes to protect the interests of the organisation, reducing litigation risk and maximising litigation and business outcomes.
The Senior Property Litigation Lead would be expected to implement and promote legal processes and good practice to the business, providing tailored training to colleagues in different business functions.
The Senior Property Litigation Lead would act as the key day to day contact for the internal client in relation to property related and other potential disputes. They would provide business focused legal advice internally and also act as an informed client instructing and managing where necessary external solicitors to ensure consistent and robust advice is delivered in a timely manner to meet business needs.
In particular, the responsibilities of the role include:
Deputising for the Head of Legal as required in litigation matters and potential disputes.
Assisting the Head of Legal in the instruction and management of a panel of external legal advisors.
Supervising and developing junior members of the internal legal team in dispute resolution matters to ensure that good people are retained and to strengthen the delivery capability of the team to support the organisation’s needs.
Acting as an informed client to external legal advisors to procure specialist dispute resolution legal advice for NHSPS.
Leading on the provision of legal advice where there is a potential dispute in particular in relation to landlord and tenant matters, property disputes and disputes relating to commercial contracts, construction and PFI projects and statutory compliance.
Providing expert legal advice, translated and communicated in a clear manner which enables robust decision making across the business.
Supporting the development and implementation of the legal team’s functional strategy, plans, cross functional programmes and projects.
Role-modelling and embedding values and behaviours within the team and across the business.
Enabling collaboration across the business and removing barriers to action and delivery in a legally compliant manner.
Identifying process inefficiencies and developing solutions to overcome them and improve working methods.
The role is a senior role within NHSPS and the remit extends to provide support to all business functions across the organisation.
The Senior Property Litigation Lead will support the Head of Legal in advising the Executive Team where there is a dispute or litigation to minimise risk and maximise the chances of a successful business outcome and ensure compliance and delivery of organisational goals and commitments.
You will be the lead contact for internal client for legal advice and support in relation to any potential dispute or litigation, from dispute outset through to trial, dealing with all aspects of property litigation including lease interpretation, operation of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, dilapidation, break notices, adverse possession, trespass, boundary disputes, positive and restrictive covenants, service charge, Party Walls Act 1996 and overage and claw back.
Developing and implementing litigation strategies, instructing external panel firms where necessary is key for this role, as is developing and maintaining processes to safeguard the interests of the organisation and ensure legal compliance.
Providing internal legal training and upskilling of cross functional teams, you will support the Head of Legal in creating a high performing inclusive legal team which is resilient and which places colleague wellbeing at the forefront and in embedding a customer centric focus and drive continuous improvement within the legal team.
You will manage the delivery and performance of external legal advisers in relation to disputes and litigation and manage cross-business cases, collaborating with the Delivery and Advisory teams and others. Adhering to the appropriate governance and compliance standards for the Legal profession, you must support the Head of Legal in representing NHSPS to the shareholder, external stakeholders and customers credibly and positively.
What you will bring to the role:
LLB (hons) degree or equivalent BA (hons) or BSc (hons) degree
Qualified solicitor (10-year PQE) with current practicing certificate
Relevant maintenance of CPD
Significant post qualification experience as a high performing property litigation solicitor
Substantial experience in all aspects of property disputes
Significant experience of civil procedure rules and court protocols
Ability to advise on and run complex litigations
Experience of advising in the NHS
Experience of managing and supervising teams
Experience of NHS PS occupancy documentation and statutory transfer schemes and orders
Track record of successful delivery of legal dispute resolution services
Experience of working within a commercial property environment
Experience of commercial contracts, including construction and PFI documentation.
Significant expertise and legal knowledge - in particular in areas of commercial property and other commercial disputes including PFI, construction, and health and safety
Good understanding both generally and legislatively of the NHS
A good understanding of primary care within the NHS
Legal and commercial acumen
Broad understanding of modern people practices
Expertise of procurement practices and compliance with procurement law
What we can offer you:
We understand how important life is outside of work so, as well as a competitive salary we will also offer:
27 days annual leave + 8 days bank holiday with the option to buy additional weeks leave
A Smarter Working Programme, empowering you to choose the location of how and where you work according to your daily activities.
Training and development opportunities, providing opportunities for our colleagues to develop & progress their careers at all levels through our Professional Excellence Framework.
If you do ever need a little bit of extra help we have a great employee assistance programme, financial well-being support and access to great discounts with leading high street names with the bluelight discount card.
Our culture and values seek to place our NHS colleagues and their patients, at the heart of everything we do.
We celebrate diversity, and we are working hard to create an inclusive environment where people love to work and can fulfil their potential.
We would encourage all applicants to apply as soon as possible as we may close vacancies early should we receive a high number of applications.
Best of luck with your application!