Job description
Full Time (37 Hours per Week) - Fixed Term Contract - 12 Months
We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Lawyer with expertise in residential property to join the Corporate Legal Team. Reading’s Legal Services department includes our highly regarded internal Corporate Legal Team, which provides legal advice and support across a wide range of Council functions, including to the Property and Assets Management team.
Reading also hosts the Joint Legal Team—a long-standing shared legal service for all Berkshire unitary councils and a recognised centre of excellence for childcare, adult social care, and education law.
We welcome applications from the widest pool of talent, as diversity and inclusion are key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We offer flexible working patterns and a hybrid working environment, combining office-based work in central Reading with homeworking, tailored to the needs of the service.

ABOUT YOU:

We are looking for a fully qualified solicitor, barrister, or CILEX lawyer with significant post-qualification experience to support the Property Team within the Corporate Legal Team. You will report to the Senior Property Lawyer, who will support your work and professional development.

Our ideal candidate will:

• Have sound knowledge and experience of residential property law and practice (preferably within local government or the public sector).
• Be able to advise and support Council departments on a range of property matters, including acquisitions, disposals, leases, development and regeneration projects, and landlord and tenant issues.
• Be confident managing a mixed property caseload.
• Be able to support junior colleagues within the team.
• Be a team player who contributes to wider team objectives.
• Have excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Be able to meet tight deadlines, remain calm under pressure, and commit to learning and development goals.
• Use case management systems and electronic research tools efficiently and be administratively self-sufficient.

You’ll also be supported by our Legal Operations Team, who will assist in delivering your work as we continue to invest in systems and processes and work towards Lexcel accreditation.
You’ll be part of a team that values individual contributions. Alongside your immediate colleagues, you’ll be part of Team Reading—helping make Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work, and play, with everyone sharing in its success.
Our values and behaviours guide how we achieve this:
Work Together as One Team – collaborate with colleagues and partners, demonstrating Team Reading values in everything we do.
Drive Efficiency – show initiative, adapt to change, and suggest improvements. Take responsibility for your own learning and development.
Be Ambitious – strive for excellence and engage constructively with leaders.
Make a Difference to Reading – deliver high levels of customer service and be flexible in meeting service needs.

The Council is currently transferring housing stock held by Homes for Reading into its Housing Revenue Account (HRA). You will play a key role in supporting this project.
You will be part of a team of specialist lawyers and paralegals, overseen by our strategic lead.
Legal Services aims to provide the Council and its partners with the highest quality professional legal advice and representation, enabling them to run their organisations effectively and serve our community. Our ambition is to be the best place to practise law in local government - by being close to our customers, recruiting top talent, successfully deploying legal technology, and growing our service to new clients.
Whatever your specialism or previous experience, you will thrive in a customer-focused environment and a team with an ambitious agenda. You’ll also have opportunities to contribute to wider Corporate Legal Team objectives beyond your specialist area.
We place strong emphasis on learning and development, and you will be supported to grow your skills and progress your career.