Overview
Lawyer – Heelis,Swindon, United Kingdom
We’re seeking an experienced Property Lawyer to join our Legal team in supporting our strategic ambitions and working closely with professional advisers to manage our diverse estate. Property law at the National Trust is truly unique, combining the full range of land law with the responsibilities of a charity and the National Trust Acts.
Please note the advertised salary is inclusive of a £6,500 reviewable market supplement. Your base salary will be £55,000 and you will receive the market supplement as an allowance on top.
Working as part of an in-house team for a charity provides a unique and interesting caseload, a real sense of contributing to a cause you believe in and job satisfaction. It’s a team full of expertise with a strong culture of collaboration, supporting each other and sharing knowledge. We recognise the value that comes with supporting each other and building trusted and positive relationships.
Your contractual location will be our head office in Swindon. There will be an expectation for you to attend this office twice a week. However, there is flexibility on where you are based at other times. This will be discussed in more detail at interview.
You’ll support a portfolio of properties across one or more National Trust regions, providing clear, high-quality legal advice to stakeholders, helping to shape strategy and decision-making across a wide range of issues. You’ll cover a broad range of matters, including property transactions (acquisitions, disposals and lettings), land and tenancy management across residential, agricultural and commercial estates, and related non‑property issues. You’ll advise on acquisitions and boundary disputes, review collaboration agreements, event contracts and legislative consultations. You’ll also help clients assess risk and opportunity and deliver practical, solutions‑focused advice across a diverse caseload.
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. Whilst being a qualified property lawyer is essential, you don’t need to have all of the other knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
- A qualified lawyer (Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX – Conveyancing Practitioner) with post‑qualification experience in one or more areas of property law, such as estate management, leases (agricultural, commercial or residential), easements, covenants, commons, or property acquisitions.
- Curious and motivated, with a willingness to learn new areas of law and practice.
- Able to analyse issues quickly, deliver high‑quality work, and meet (sometimes tight) deadlines.
- A confident communicator with good interpersonal skills who builds strong, positive working relationships and can lead clients through unfamiliar legal matters.
- An ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.
- An effective delegator, you provide clear instructions and ongoing support where needed.
- Enthusiasm for working within the charitable sector and supporting the Trust’s work is just as important as your experience or background.
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places
Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.
Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NALawyer – Grade 5.pdf
Closing Date: 20 September 2026
Interview Date: 02 October 2026
To apply for this vacancy simply click the ‘apply’ button in the top right hand side of the page.
If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk
If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustments@nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we’ll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.
Equal Opportunities Statement
The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.
Safeguarding Statement
The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.
Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
