Associate / Senior Associate – Property – Bristol – 3+ PQE

Overview

In this role you support a specialist Ecclesiastical Property team in Bristol, handling a diverse range of church-related property matters. You will work closely with dioceses, clergy and charities, contributing to complex land, title and property transactions within a highly specialised practice. The position offers meaningful, governance-driven work and opportunities to develop expertise in ecclesiastical and charity property law. You will engage with cross-functional teams to drive compliant, well-documented property solutions.

Pay / Benefits

• Hybrid working after probation
• 25-30 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Private healthcare (post probation)
• Pension scheme with employer contributions
• Life assurance
• Enhanced parental leave

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of ecclesiastical property matters
• Oversee property transactions including sales of land, church halls, and clergy housing
• Create and establish titles from historic or unregistered documents
• Resolve complex property issues across multiple church-related charities
• Handle commercial property matters such as leases, extensions, renewals, and surrenders
• Advise on and grant easements
• Provide guidance on boundary issues and parish land ownership
• Support wider property teams as needed

Key requirements

• Experience in freehold and leasehold matters (registered and unregistered land)
• Background in commercial, residential, or agricultural property
• Working knowledge of unregistered land and title creation (e.g., Statements of Truth, historic deeds)
• Interest in developing expertise in ecclesiastical and charity property law
• Experience with church owned property (advantageous but not essential)
• Strong organisational, drafting, and communication skills
• Competence with Microsoft Office, case management systems, and digital dictation

• strong organisational skills
• clear drafting ability
• effective communication
• Microsoft Office
• case management systems
• digital dictation

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