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

Associate / Senior Associate - Property - Bristol - 3+ Years PQE
Location: Bristol
Type of Role: Permanent, Full-time (hybrid working)
Salary: £55,000 to £75,000 (depending on experience and level)

A well established UK law firm is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to join its specialist Ecclesiastical Property team in Bristol. This is a rare opportunity to work within one of the country's leading practices supporting dioceses, clergy, and church related charities, advising on a broad range of ecclesiastical and historic property matters.

The team combines lawyers with diverse professional backgrounds, acting as Diocesan Registrars, Registry Clerks, and ecclesiastical advisers. The role offers exposure to complex, meaningful work and the chance to develop expertise in a highly specialised and rewarding area of law.

The Role
You will manage a varied caseload of ecclesiastical property matters, including:

• Managing property transactions such as sales of land, church halls, and clergy housing
• Creating and establishing titles from historic or unregistered documentation
• Resolving complex property issues across multiple church related charities
• Handling commercial property matters including leases, extensions, renewals, and surrenders
• Advising on and granting easements
• Providing guidance on boundary issues and parish land ownership
• Serving statutory notices under the Church Property Measure
• Supporting wider property teams where required

Candidate Requirements
This role is suited to a property lawyer with:

• 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

PQE Guidance:

• Associate level typically 3-6 years PQE
• Senior Associate level typically 6+ years PQE
• (PQE is for guidance only; all applicants considered on merit.)

Benefits
The firm offers:

• Hybrid working after probation (typically 60% office / 40% home)
• 25-30 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Long service holiday awards
• Private healthcare (post probation)
• Pension scheme with employer contributions
• Staff profit share and performance bonus schemes
• Life assurance and permanent health insurance
• Paid CSR day
• Enhanced parental leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Dress for your day policy

How to Apply

If this opportunity sounds of interest or you'd like a confidential conversation about your next career move, please contact:

Email: oliviareed@chadwicknott.co.uk
Phone: 0117 917 1515 / 07711 799761

The firm is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Adjustments to the recruitment process can be made to support individual needs.

*At Chadwick Nott, we are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture as well as supporting our large client network achieve the same. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications of all qualified candidates regardless of their age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, disability, culture or anything other personal characteristic. We champion and celebrate diversity in the workplace. Where a level of experience is indicated, please note that this is only a guideline.*