Commercial Property Solicitor Job Description

Commercial property solicitors are responsible for dealing with both contentious and non-contentious legal issues. The following is a Commercial Property solicitor job description that would make the lives of an aspirant easier to understand and prepare their upcoming years accordingly to be able to become a commercial property solicitor accordingly. 

Who is a commercial property solicitor and what is commercial property law?

Commercial Property Solicitors are responsible for dealing with both contentious and non-contentious legal issues. These issues mostly concern the property owned or rented by commercial clients such as governments or public sector organisations. Commercial Property Law is a practice area that involving a range of issues such as contractual and transitional issues concerning property and land. Alongside this procedural work, commercial property solicitors also deal with contentious work when disputes arise

Commercial Property Solicitors handle the responsibilities of complex and broad caseloads while representing a range of clients and advising on matters such as the sale, purchase, and lease of land or property. Commercial property spans across a very wide range of matters such as development, infrastructure, and planning. Commercial Property solicitors may also have tasks involving drafting, reviewing, and having to negotiate contracts. 

Commercial Property Solicitors often have a very wide range of clients, this can range from private commercial institutions to government institutions. 

How can one become a commercial property solicitor?

One may become a commercial property solicitor through qualifying as a solicitor through any route. There are four main routes to becoming a solicitor -: 

THE LAW GRADUATE ROUTE 

The Law graduate route is a route where generally the start of the route includes a qualifying law degree followed by the Legal Practice Course and a period of a recognised training contract. Though this route is now under a transitional period where from September 2021, a new route called the SQE will also be available for aspirants where they would be able to become a solicitor by giving two examinations after the qualifying law degree followed by 2 years of work experience.   

THE NON-LAW GRADUATE ROUTE 

This route is similar to that of the law graduate route however aspirants from a non-law graduate route are required to undertake a conversion qualification such as the Graduate Diploma in Law before going onto the LPC and completing two years training contract. 

THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF LEGAL EXECUTIVES (CILEx)

CILEx is the professional body that represents legal executives and trainee legal executives. Legal executives are fully qualified lawyers in a specialist area and undertake similar work to that of a solicitor. They will have at least five years’ experience of working under the supervision of a solicitor. Legal executives can become fully qualified solicitors if they take LPC. For further information check out the ‘What is a Legal Executive’ article by the Legists

APPRENTICESHIPS 

The idea of Apprenticeships includes offering aspiring solicitors’ opportunities to qualify as a solicitor without a degree. Apprenticeships provide high-achieving school-leavers the chance to enter the workplace without attending university. This is an easier yet competitive method for candidates from all backgrounds to become a UK lawyer. These roles vary across sectors and may likely have a more complex range of responsibilities in some sectors. This is an opportunity for those who cannot financially access university. 

What are the skills that are required for a commercial Property law solicitor? 

In addition to the academic and professional qualifications, there are many other skills that a commercial property solicitor may be required to have in order to have a long and successful career as a commercial property solicitor. As a commercial property solicitor, one should have the ability to communicate complex legal matters in everyday terms along with having strong drafting and negotiating skills. An aspiring commercial property solicitor may also have flawless commercial awareness along with the ability to work as a part of a team and individually. Commercial Property solicitors are also supposed to be keen on business developments and networking skills and be aware of commercial awareness. IT skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and case management systems are essential skills for any aspiring solicitor and are beneficial if the aspirant starts working upon those as soon as possible. As the area of law overlaps with different legal practice areas such as corporate, environment, knowledge about other practice areas would be essential for the aspirant to be flawless in what they do. Along with this, one of the most important skills is to be willing to take on new challenges in unfamiliar areas which could enhance your career prospects significantly. 

What is the pay of a Commercial Property Solicitor? 

Commercial Property Solicitors may earn on an average of 47,297 Pound per annum according to the 2021 Audience Insight Report. Though this figure is dependent upon other factors such as the location, experience, etc. For example, a commercial property solicitor with around 10+ PQE working in London is likely to earn more than the newly qualified solicitor working in the North of England. One may check the pay and more about the position by checking out the Legists Salary Checker. You can adjust your search as per the filter of role/ location. 

The above is the commercial property law job description and is a general framework about what to expect out of the position. Though becoming a commercial property solicitor is very fascinating but one must have all these documents and skills ready and assessed before taking this further. In order to do so, it is advisable to have your CV ready and have a clear point of view before you visit them as, without this, your time would not be most effective. You could choose to visit your university’s counsellor for help or could use The Legists services such as CV Check or how to gain a job without previous job work experience to help you give a push towards your journey of achieving your dreams.

By Bipasha Khatter