Commercial Property Lawyer x2

Job summary

About the Government Legal Department

From healthcare to artificial intelligence, energy to national security, we provide legal advice to government departments on nation-changing subjects.

At Government Legal Department we have a vital, single-minded purpose: to help the Government govern well within the rule of law. This is complemented by our exciting vision to be an outstanding legal organisation, committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism and a brilliant place to work where we can all thrive and fulfill our potential.

Our work touches almost every aspect of public life. We are the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters.

Our respected professionals are involved in everything from regulation and litigation to advice on drafting legislation. They provide expertise to the full range of government departments. We are at the heart of delivering the government’s priorities and our success depends on our people.

GLD is a non-ministerial government department headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary, and employs nearly 4000 people, including nearly 3000 legal professionals. We have offices nationwide, in Bristol, Leeds, inner and outer London and Manchester. Our lawyers can also be located within other departments and overseas.

GLD also depends on a range of cross-functional professionals to provide our corporate services. There are nearly 1000 colleagues playing an essential part in helping GLD to achieve its purpose and truly deliver much more than law.

This is an exciting time to join GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.

To find out more about what we do you can view our introductory film. On our website you can hear from team members, find out how to apply and learn about the benefits of working for GLD. You can also read more about the future vision for GLD in our GLD Strategy 2024 – 2027.

Job description

About the Commercial Law Group (CLG)

CLG was formed in June 2014 and is a fast-evolving group of around 240 lawyers. CLG's formation and growth reflects the increasing importance of commercial skills to government, as new projects and programmes are increasingly delivered through commercial arrangements.

GLD commercial work is unique: we work in small teams, often closely embedded in departments, combining our legal expertise on all aspects of the government's commercial relationships with knowledge of public law and government.

Our work is often at the forefront of major government initiatives and includes many of the governments highest profile and most sensitive matters.

Our lawyers have a high level of responsibility and work on some of the most consistently challenging, interesting, varied, complex and high-profile commercial legal work available. The issues that we advise on impact the lives of citizens across the UK.

We have been and continue to be at the forefront of supporting government commercial efforts to meet the challenges faced over the last decade. We work alongside legal teams advising on policy decisions and implementation.

CLG is high performing, friendly and welcoming, with a strong and established culture of collaboration and teamwork, excellent KM and specialist training and support. D&I is at the core of how we manage our people and teams.

Ministry of Defence (MoD) Property Team

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) Property Team was set up in 2006 and joined CLG in January 2023.

We provide property law advice to the Ministry of Defence, the largest UK Government Department and the second largest landowner in the UK.

The team is led by Deputy Director Alison Hinch and consists of two Grade 6 lawyers, six Grade 7 lawyers and two business management support staff.

What do we do?

The Ministry of Defence has a huge and complex support structure that spends more than £14 Billion each year in equipping, supplying and supporting the UK’s Armed Forces.

A key role in this work falls to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), the department within MoD which provides the armed forces and their families with a fit-for-purpose estate that includes accommodation.

As part of MoD, DIO is responsible for all acquisition, disposal, allocation of assets, construction and maintenance of estate infrastructure in the UK and abroad.

The MoD Property Team is a busy team of lawyers, working alongside DIO. There are opportunities to advise on a wide and interesting range of commercial property topics, the work of the team is varied and never routine.

Career Offer

For some roles, travel may be required. If you join us with less than three years of post-qualification experience (PQE), your starting salary will be £51,541.00 per annum. This will increase to £61,124 (National) per annum once you have successfully completed your probation period and either reach three years of PQE or complete one year of service, whichever comes first.

While previous experience or knowledge may be relevant to some vacancies, Government work is likely to involve a rapid learning curve to acquire legal skills and knowledge not required in private practice. Strong intellectual and analytical skills are important. We will provide support to help you acquire the necessary expertise and have a thriving CPD-accredited in-house training programme.

For newly qualified lawyers with under one year’s experience, CLG operates a ‘2+2’ scheme, whereby these lawyers are allocated to two, 2-year postings. The scheme is optional and is intended to develop a broader range of skills and stay ‘fresh’ in working on different areas of law and in new environments.

Key Role Responsibilities

Advice is given on the following particular specialist areas:

• Advising the Defence Infrastructure Organisation within the MoD in its real estate projects and transactions
• Assisting in initial business planning decisions, appointing and working with external lawyers
• Advising on commercial property law issues
• Advising on Private Finance Initiative (PFI) related issues including exit
• Drafting contractual documentation
• Negotiating with buyers and tenants to ensure the best possible arrangements are put in place.
• The work calls, amongst other skills, for the ability to understand the commercial property world and practice;
• Advising on property law issues within commercial projects where infrastructure requirements arise.
• Projects are led by colleagues within the CLG MoD Commercial team, and you would be working closely alongside them
• Advising on property law issues within wider cross-government initiatives
• Working closely alongside colleagues in the General Law team in MoD Legal Advisers London Team

Person specification

Behaviours

Below are details of the Success Profiles that make up this role. Demonstrating all the behaviours listed below is essential at either application or interview. You can read more about Success Profiles and how they are used as an assessment method before completing your application.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing (lead behaviour)
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Key Skills and Experience

Essential – must be demonstrated at application and interview

You will be a lawyer with;

• Commercial property legal knowledge
• Experience of advising clients on commercial property matters including drafting of documents
• Problem solving and strategic commercial property advice
• Commercial property law experience

Desirable - will be used when there is a need to distinguish between candidates who are closely tied or the same after the initial consideration of essential criteria, at sift and / or interview.

• Wider planning and environmental law experience in a property transaction context

Motivational Fit

Why You Want the Role: Your passion for the specific duties and responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Why You Want to Work in Public Service: Your commitment to public service values and your understanding of the department's purpose.

Security Clearance Level

All GLD employees must hold BPSS. If successful for this post you must hold or be willing to obtain SC level clearance for this role. You cannot start this position until you have obtained the higher security clearance. More information can be found about the vetting and clearance levelsbefore completing your application.

Sponsorship and Visas

There is the possibility that GLD can provide sponsorship for skilled workers, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria set down under current immigration legislation. GLD does not guarantee sponsorshipwill be provided or that an applicant will be successful in gaining a skilled worker visa.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that they meet the criteria for sponsorship. They also have the responsibility to notify the Resourcing Team that they require Sponsorship at the start of the onboarding process into GLD. This applies to existing civil servants as well as external candidates.

Candidate Information Session

We will be holding a candidate information session for these roles on Microsoft Teams from 17:30 – 18:45 on Tuesday 9th June 2026.

Candidates will have the opportunity to hear from Lawyers about what they do and their experiences working for government. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about the role.

Please note, as this is an open session, you may choose to remain anonymous. We would recommend joining without your camera switched on and please ensure you edit your display name when you join the meeting. If you wish to ask a question as part of the Q+A, you can do so anonymously.

If you are interested in further information on this role, please complete the registration form here: G7 Commercial Property Lawyer - Information Session

A link to join the session will be forwarded to you in advance.

Qualifications

Academic and Professional

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in their first degree (in any subject). Where an applicant holds an overseas degree qualification this should be equivalent to a 2.1 degree. GLD will consider applicants who do not have a 2.1 degree but only where satisfactory evidence of equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement can be provided (e.g. via relevant experience and results achieved for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE, Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)).

Applicants must be qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales however, we also accept applications from overseas qualified candidates. You must have completed a training contract/pupillage/qualifying employment or have been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx.
Please note that candidates cannot apply more than 3 months before their qualification date.

Professional entry criteria for Chartered Legal Executives (i.e. Fellows): Chartered Legal Executives are eligible to apply where (i) a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) is held; or (ii) the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE has been completed; or (iii) where exams have been passed (i.e. a score of 50% or above achieved), at CILEx Level 6*, in all of the following seven foundation subjects in law:

Contract Law
Criminal Law
Equity and Trusts Law
European Union Law
Land Law
Public Law
Law of Tort

*Note: There are specific requirements relating to academic achievement in the CILEx Level 6 exams where these are being used to demonstrate 2.1 degree equivalence as set out below.

Chartered Legal Executives should note that GLD will be willing to accept an, overall, average score of 65% or above across exams passed in the seven foundation subjects in law (where studied at CILEx Level 6) as demonstrating 2.1 degree equivalence (where a 2.1 degree is not held).

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,124, Government Legal Department contributes £17,707 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Benefits of working for the Civil Service

Whatever your role, we take your career and development seriously and want to enable you to build a really successful career with the Department and wider Civil Service. It is crucial that our employees have the right skills to develop their careers and meet the challenges ahead, and you’ll benefit from regular performance and development reviews to ensure this development is ongoing. As a Civil Service employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits.

Learning and Development at GLD

GLD has a comprehensive learning and development offer for all employees.

We offer a programme of in-person/hybrid and virtual sessions providing learning on profession-specific, soft skills, technical skills, and different topics. We also support colleagues through a range of different professional qualifications.

As the lead for the Government Legal Profession, we offer a tailored programme of development for all Legal Professionals joining the organisation through our Government Legal Training Programme and Legal Learning Framework, which includes:

• Foundation pathway, to support colleagues in their first 12 months
• Practitioner pathways for colleagues in four core areas of work
• Core Curriculum

Alongside this we support all Professions with building their careers and capability aligning with the wider Civil Service offerings for each Profession.

There are also talent and development opportunities offered throughout the year these include:

• Senior Leaders and Future Leaders Schemes – cross Civil Service accelerated development schemes.
• Beyond Boundaries – cross government development programme designed to help participants develop the knowledge, skills and networks required to build a satisfying and effective career in the Civil Service.
• Mentoring and Coaching – we encourage all colleagues to share their knowledge, capability, and experience.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Application

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application on Civil Service Jobs, searching the reference below. The deadline for this application is 12:00 Midday onMonday 15th June 2026.

In your application you will be assessed on the following:

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities, achievements and qualifications. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. The CV will be scored and assessed on the essential criteria of Key Skills and Experience set out in the person specification on slide 6.

2. A Statement of Suitability of no more than 1250 words made up of Motivational Fit (400 words) and demonstrating how you meet the behaviours of Working Together and Managing a Quality Service (850 words) in the person specification. Please address each criteria in your Statement of Suitability individually, under clear headings.

Application Errors

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: activecampaigns@governmentlegal.gov.uk . Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]’.

Selection Process

After the closing date, the appointing panel shall assess candidates’ suitability for the role based on evidence provided in their application against the Key Skills and Experience and Behaviours outlined in the person specification.

STAGED-SIFT: If there are a large number of applications the panel will conduct a staged sift. The initial sift will be on CV alone. If you meet the minimum criteria for the CV, you will then go on to a full sift on the Statement of Suitability.

In the eventuality that there are a high number of applicants successful at sift, GLD may operate a longlist, whereby applicants who have been shortlisted and met the minimum pass mark but are not selected for interview will have their application placed on hold. After the initial interview round candidates on the longlist may be offered an interview, should there still be posts available.

Interview

If you are invited to interview, you will be assessed on your performance in the criteria listed in the Person Specification, alongside scenario-based exercises. These criteria are:

Written Exercise

You will be asked to complete a written test under timed conditions immediately prior to interview. The written exercise will be used to assess Key Skills and Experience and Communicating and influencing behaviour. You will be provided with further information and full instructions for the written exercise on the day.

Presentation

You will be asked to deliver a 5-minute presentation on your written exercise at the start of your interview. This will be used to assess Key Skills and Experience and Communicating and influencing behaviour.

You will then be asked questions on the following criteria:

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing (lead behaviour)
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Key Skills and Experience

Motivational Fit

Your interview will take place online.

Offer

The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.

All communications regarding your application will be made through Civil Service Jobs.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible after the interview. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

We appoint in strict order of merit. If you meet the minimum criteria for this position but are not successful for a post, you will be placed on the reserve list. We may contact you to see if you are interested in a post at the same, or a lower grade, in GLD should one arise.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : People Scout
• Email : govqualified@tmpw.co.uk
• Telephone : 01179234417

Recruitment team

• Email : govqualified@tmpw.co.uk

Further information

You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application hasn’t been treated in accordance with these Principles and wish to make a complaint, please contact recruitment_feedback@governmentlegal.gov.uk in the first instance. Please title your email as follows: Job Reference Number – Job Title – Recruitment Complaint. Complaints must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the incident or the decision which has caused the complaint. To fully engage with the issues raised GLD require that you submit evidence of your complaint.

Attachments

461035 - Commercial Property Lawyer - orig1 Opens in new window (pdf, 655kB)