NQ Solicitor +

Birketts is an ambitious full service, top 50 UK law firm, operating in East Anglia, London and the surrounding areas.  With a rich heritage spanning over 150 years we’ve built an enviable track record advising businesses, institutions and individuals in the UK and internationally.

Throughout our history our ethos has remained simple: we provide clear legal advice and value and insight to our clients.

We believe that through this approach and a combination of technical excellence and high quality service, we can develop long-lasting partnerships and become our clients' solicitor of choice.

The Agriculture and Estates team at Birketts is one of the largest specialist legal units in the UK operating in this niche area of the law. The team advises both UK and international clients on all aspects of UK legislation affecting rural real estate investment - including farm acquisitions and disposals, renewable energy projects, planning issues, tax advice, investment in equestrian and rural estate, rights of way and environmental liabilities.

The team has been ranked 'Tier 1' in  Legal 500 for 2023 and 'Band 1' Chambers 2023.  The firm was awarded 'Private Client Regional Law Firm of the Year 2018 and 2017'.

You will join a highly successful, leading Agriculture and Estates team who are seeing substantial growth, resulting in the need for extra resource to take forward ambitious plans for the future.

The team Agriculture and Estates team in Ipswich is led by our Partner James Dinwiddy, who along with other team members will guide and support you throughout your career at Birketts LLP. The team's expertise covers a variety of different types of rural issues including:

• Sales and acquisitions of agricultural property and land (including options, overages and pre-emption agreements);
• Agricultural tenancies;
• Sporting and fishing rights;
• Banking and re-financing agricultural properties;
• Residential conveyancing and tenancy advice for farming and estate clients;
• Business structures and joint venture/collaborative agreements;
• Diversification issues;
• Succession planning;
• Working with the wider Private Client and tax teams advising on:

• Wills, trust planning and probate matters
• Tax advice in relation to IHT, SDLT, ER, CGT and VAT

• Renewable energy schemes
• Basic payment scheme, agri-environment and ELMS scheme issues.

Your work would include:

• Drafting, negotiating and agreeing documentation for property sales and purchases, deeds of easement and other property-related documents;
• Managing your own smaller transactions and liaising with other team members on larger transactions
• Attending meetings with clients and other law firms
• Attending business development events.

We are seeking an ambitious, driven and forward thinking NQ / Solicitor, with  0-3 years PQE, with a passion for rural matters and an interest in Agricultural law to come and join our growing team on a full time permanent basis.

You will need to demonstrate strong attention to detail in order to produce work/ documentation which is consistently of a high standard. You will have a flexible approach to work to ensure client deadlines are always met and clients are communicated with on a consistent and regular basis and an interest in and aptitude for business development.

Prior experience of Agricultural law is not essential, but candidates must be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in becoming a specialist within this area. Candidates with good quality experience of either Private Client or Property who have a desire to specialise in Agriculture and Estates would be highly suited.

We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, on the basis of qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.

Benefits

One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we’re appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays rising with service / promotion
• Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years’ continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share / performance bonus
• Life Assurance   - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR day (Corporate Social Responsibilty)
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Eye Care Voucher
• Agile Working Policy
• Dress for your Day Policy.

Our Ipswich office is in the heart of the town centre and a 5 minute walk from the train

Station.