RESPONSIBLE TO
Principal Solicitor (Commercial Property)
JOB PURPOSE
The post holder will be required to carry out professional duties as a qualified solicitor providing legal advice and services in relation to an assigned case load (with particular emphasis on commercial law and property matters but also dealing with litigation and other matters set out below) to the Education Authority and other public bodies to whom the Education Authority Solicitors provides a service.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The Education Authority (“EA”) was established under the Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 and became operational on 1 April 2015. It is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department of Education and the Department for the Economy.
EA is responsible for ensuring that high quality nursery, primary and secondary education services are available to meet the needs of children and young people as well as the provision of efficient and effective youth services. These services were previously delivered by five Education and Library Boards (ELBs). The organisation employs over 40,000 people across Northern Ireland in a wide variety of roles including teachers in controlled schools, school-based support staff and staff in administrative headquarters. The organisation is responsible for a budget of approximately £1.5 billion recurrent, £300 million capital, £100 million annually managed expenditure and for services to over 1000 schools.
EA also has responsibility for the funding of the Voluntary Grammar School / Grant- Maintained Integrated sector.
The work EA does impacts the lives of tens of thousands of children, young people and their families every day. The services EA provides are essential in supporting, encouraging and facilitating learning within our communities to develop generations of young people who are equipped to succeed in life and work in the modern world. As a public sector organisation, EA must continue to deliver these vital services in a challenging environment of increasing financial pressure and under intense public scrutiny.
EDUCATION AUTHORITY SOLICITORS
The Education Authority Solicitors seeks to provide high quality and efficient legal services to enable the EA and our other clients to operate effectively within law, maximise the value of legal services provided, minimise legal risk and achieve best legal outcomes.
The unit is currently located in Dundonald (subject to anticipated relocation) and is headed by the Head of Legal Services, Peter O’Rawe.
The unit was originally set up in 1973 when the five former education and library boards were established. It has currently a complement of 14 solicitors (full time and part time) and 6 administrative staff. EA Solicitors also provides legal advice and representation to LibrariesNI and the majority of Grant Maintained Integrated schools (both primary and secondary).
THE ROLE OF THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY SOLICITOR
Working for EA’s in house legal team offers a different perspective and intellectual stimulus. As Commercial Property Solicitor the appointee will have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to EA as EA continues the process of transformation of education services and EA’s extensive estate for the benefit of future generations of children and young people. The appointee will provide legal advice and services in relation to an assigned case load (with particular emphasis on dealing with all aspects of commercial law and property matters including title issues, acquisitions, disposals, leases, licences and disputes) to EA and other public bodies to whom the Education Authority Solicitors provide a service.
The appointee requires excellent drafting and analytical skills to enable effective negotiation of final form documents.
The appointee will provide direct advice and guidance to EA officers predominantly from within the Operations and Estates Directorate and, where appropriate, EA’s school leaders and senior leadership team.
The successful candidate for this important role will actively contribute to providing critical services that support, engage and develop all EA’s officers to be the best they can be and to make EA, its schools and services, great places to work.
SUMMARY OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
* To carry out professional duties as a qualified Solicitor in connection with an assigned caseload primarily relating to commercial and property law matters.
* To provide accurate and timely advice on all aspects of commercial property law matters including: acquisitions and disposals; commercial leases; licence agreements; statutory transfers, legislative requirements; compulsory acquisition of land; disputes and general title advices.
* To draft all necessary documents/deeds in relation to the above matters.
* To provide advice and legal support and representation in respect of contentious property matters including boundary disputes, dilapidations negotiations, Business Tenancy matters and applications before the Lands Tribunal and Land Registry etc.
* To undertake as directed general litigation matters including the drafting and setting of documents, attendance at court / Lands Tribunal and all miscellaneous matters arise therefrom.
* To work collaboratively with Education Authority officers in the identification and resolution of significant commercial property issues going forward and the management of legal risks to the Education Authority.
* To provide accurate and timely legal advice on matters relating to the functions and exercise of the powers and duties of Education Authority. To interpret relevant legislation and the requirements of administrative law to Authority officers, other bodies and to draft associated reports and advices.
* To undertake as directed in the institution of plaintiff claims arising in property/commercial matters and other civil matters.
* To carry out all the foregoing duties in a proactive manner, complying with all relevant time limits and Rules of Court.
* To assist and/or provide such training on legal matters to Education Authority officers and other bodies as may be required.
* To undertake such continuing legal education and/or professional development courses as may be required.
* To undertake such other duties relevant to the Education Authority Solicitors as may be required from time to time.
* To manage resources ensuring these are used effectively in order to maximise benefits, including value for money and efficiency.
* To support the Principal Solicitor and the Head of Legal Services in the delivery and forward planning of identified priority work.
* To undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the Education Authority.
This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS
1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.
Section 1 - Essential Criteria
The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
Be a qualified Solicitor entitled to practice in Northern Ireland and hold a practising certificate issued by the Law Society of NI or be in a position to do so by 1 November 2025
AND
Hold a bachelor’s degree (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 6) or an equivalent or higher qualification
Experience: By the closing date for applications have three years’ demonstrable post qualification experience within a dedicated property law department and three years’ demonstrable experience with significant involvement advising and representing clients in a broad range of commercial property matters.
Other: Demonstrable commitment to continuing professional development to ensure competence to practice as a Solicitor in Northern Ireland. The successful candidate will be required to have access to a suitable vehicle for mobile duties or demonstrate an alternative means of mobility.
Section 2 - Essential Criteria
The following are additional essential criteria measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.
Knowledge: A detailed understanding of commercial conveyancing and property law including Land Registry and Registry of Deeds practice and procedure, SDLT processes, etc.
Skills/Abilities: Evidence of excellent analytical and problem resolution skills, ability to draft deeds, transfers, leases, licences, development agreements, etc., clear written communication, strong organisation and case management, relationship management, oral advocacy, negotiation skills, team work, and the ability to act as an advocate in Courts and Tribunals.
Values Orientation: Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.
Section 3 - Desirable Criteria
Desirable criteria will be applied to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Please indicate on your application how you meet these criteria.
a) One year’s practical post qualification experience in commercial property law for a public body or large commercial organisation.
b) Postgraduate qualification in property or commercial law or related area.
Our Values: The selection process will seek evidence that your values align with EA’s ethos and commitment to equality and service delivery.
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people as regulated activity. If recommended for appointment to a post involving regulated activity, an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background will be sought. You will be expected to meet the cost of the Enhanced Disclosure Certificate.
Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.
APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES
To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr