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

Overview

In this role you join a specialist Ecclesiastical Property team in Bristol, handling a mix of historic and ecclesiastical property matters within a leading UK law firm. You will manage a varied caseload for dioceses, clergy, and church charities, combining property transactions, title creation from historic documents, and advisory work on easements, boundaries, and parish land. The role offers exposure to meaningful, niche property work and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team. You will contribute to shaping property solutions in a high-profile, mission-driven practice.

Pay / Benefits

• Hybrid working after probation
• 25-30 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Private healthcare
• Pension scheme with employer contributions
• Life assurance
• Electric car scheme

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of ecclesiastical property matters
• Oversee property transactions (sales of land, church halls, clergy housing)
• Create and establish titles from historic or unregistered documentation
• Resolve complex property issues across multiple church charities
• Handle commercial property matters (leases, extensions, renewals, surrenders)
• Advise on and grant easements
• Provide guidance on boundary issues and parish land ownership
• Support wider property teams as required
• Serve statutory notices under the Church Property Measure

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 and communication
• Effective within cross-functional teams
• Microsoft Office
• case management systems
• digital dictation

…