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Commercial Property Solicitor Job Description

Written by: Ethan Cumming
Published on: 11 Aug 2021

Commercial property solicitor job description

  • If you have found yourself asking questions like “What is a Commercial Property Solicitor?” or “How much does a Commercial Property Solicitor earn?”, this Commercial Property Solicitor job description article is for you. Find out about the responsibilities, requirements and rewards of Commercial Property Solicitor jobs today with TotallyLegal.

     

  • What is Commercial Property Law?

    Commercial property law is a practice area that involves the legal, contractual, and transactional issues or procedures that concern property and land owned or rented by commercial clients.

    Commercial property law has contentious and non-contentious aspects, and while some property law jobs have a caseload that covers both, many Property Solicitors choose to specialise in one or the other.

  • What is a Commercial Property Solicitor?

    Commercial Property Solicitors are responsible for dealing with legal issues, both contentious and non-contentious, that concern the property or premises owned or rented by commercial clients such as investors, developers, governments, retailers, and public sector organisations.

    Property is always being bought and sold, there are always contractual disputes arising between landlords and tenants, and new shopping centres, public sector buildings and railways are always being developed. So, despite natural fluctuations in the property market, there is always a good level of demand for Commercial Property Solicitors.

  • What Does a Commercial Property Solicitor Do?

    Commercial Property Solicitor responsibilities and duties are varied, often spanning broad and complex caseloads. They represent a range of clients, advising on matters such as:

    • The sale, purchase and lease of land or property.
    • Development, infrastructure and planning projects.
    • Property finance and investment.
    • Leasehold management.
    • Landlord and tenant disputes.
    • Regeneration projects.
    • The drafting, reviewing and negotiation of contracts.
    • Mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and disposals.
    • Property litigation.

    Commercial Property Solicitors can expect to act for a wide variety of clients including government bodies, public sector organisations, investors, developers, funders, landlords, energy and utilities providers, high street businesses, media companies and corporate groups.

    Commercial properties themselves come in all shapes and sizes. You might find yourself working on cases relating to hotels, railways, high street buildings, shopping complexes, restaurants, roadways, airports and any other property or premise used for commercial purposes.

    Outside their caseloads, Commercial Property Solicitors may also be required to carry out business development activities while Senior Solicitors might manager or supervise junior team members.

  • How to Become a Commercial Property Solicitor

    So, how do you become a Commercial Property Solicitor?

    Initially, the route to becoming a Commercial Property Solicitor is similar to qualifying in any other practice area. You can find out all about the different qualification routes in our comprehensive article on How to Become a Solicitor.

    Once you have completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC), you will need to apply for a training contract with a boutique commercial property firm or the specialist team of a multi-service practice.

    Training contracts are very competitive, so make sure to demonstrate your passion and interest for commercial property law on your CV. The dedicated Law Graduates section of our careers advice blog has several articles to help you secure a training contract including CV tips and interview advice.

    Commercial Property Solicitor Skills

    In addition to academic and professional qualifications, there are a number of skills which will help you to have a long and successful career as a Commercial Property Solicitor. These include:

    • Excellent client-facing and relationship building skills.
    • The ability to communicate complex legal matters in everyday terms.
    • Keen business development and networking skills.
    • Strong drafting and negotiating skills.
    • Flawless commercial awareness.
    • The ability to work as part of a team made up of legal and non-legal professionals.
    • IT skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and case management systems.

    Commercial property law overlaps with several other legal practice areas such as conveyancing, construction, litigation, finance, planning, environmental, corporate, and more. Knowledge of other practice areas and a willingness to take on new challenges in unfamiliar areas can enhance your career prospects significantly.

  • How Much Does a Commercial Property Solicitor Earn?

    According to data obtained and analysed in our 2021 Audience Insight Report, Commercial Property Solicitors in the UK earn an average of £47,297 per annum.

    This figure can vary significantly dependent on factors such as location and experience level. For example, a Commercial Property Solicitor with 8 years’ PQE working in London will likely earn more than a newly qualified Solicitor working in the North of England.