Solicitor - Property Disputes

About Birketts LLP

Birketts LLP is an established full-service law firm ranked among the UK's top 50 firms, with a legacy exceeding 160 years. The firm employs over 700 lawyers and legal professionals and more than 600 support staff across offices in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich, and Sevenoaks. Birketts provides legal advice to a broad range of clients including businesses, governments, public sector bodies, and individuals both domestically and internationally. The firm operates under its "Next Level Law" approach, fostering proactive client partnerships, forward-thinking strategies, and a supportive, collaborative workplace culture.

Team and Role Overview

The Property Disputes team, part of the wider Dispute Resolution division, serves clients such as corporate entities, partnerships, trusts, registered social landlords, and individuals in both public and private sectors. This role is located in the Cambridge office and targets qualified solicitors or associates with up to 3 years post-qualification experience (PQE). The successful candidate will be exposed to high-value, strategic cases of regional and national significance alongside opportunities for career growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice and support to a diverse portfolio of prominent commercial clients including property owners, landlords, tenants, investors, developers, educational institutions, charities, and other stakeholders.
• Manage a wide variety of contentious property cases such as disputes over development land, property contracts, landlord-tenant issues including lease renewals, terminations, disrepair, dilapidations, break notices, forfeiture, breaches of lease covenants, consent and service charge disagreements, as well as professional negligence matters.
• Work on property disputes related to energy, renewables, and real estate development sectors covering matters like title and ownership, securing land rights, enforcing agreements for lease or purchase, options and overage, easements, restrictive covenants, trespass, and nuisance claims.
• Engage actively in networking efforts and business development initiatives.
• Build and manage an individual caseload effectively.
• Maintain direct communication with clients, advisors, and other relevant parties.

Candidate Profile and Requirements

• Possession of a recognized training contract or equivalent legal qualification.
• Interest and foundational expertise in property dispute law.
• Excellent attention to detail, ensuring consistently high-quality legal documentation.
• Strong professional integrity paired with a commitment to exceptional client service.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, digital dictation, case management and time recording software.
• Typically 0 to 3 years PQE, though this is advisory and all candidates considered on merit.

Working Arrangements

The firm embraces a hybrid working model allowing employees to balance office and home working, typically 60% office presence and 40% remote once probation ends. Initial probation requires full-time office presence. Flexible and part-time working arrangements are encouraged and can be discussed during application.

Benefits

• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays for full-time employees.
• Additional holiday awarded for every 10 years of continuous service.
• Private healthcare coverage via BUPA after probation.
• Participation in a pension scheme (5% employer and 5% employee contributions).
• Staff profit share and individual performance bonuses.
• Salary sacrifice options for pensions and profit share.
• Life assurance at four times salary and permanent health insurance.
• Paid community social responsibility day.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• Gym membership subsidy.
• Electric car purchasing scheme.
• Flexible dress code policy.

Inclusivity and Ethics

Birketts is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, fostering a work environment free from discrimination and supportive of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. The firm embraces responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in recruitment and expects candidates to be honest about their applications.