Job Description

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Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!
About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.
We're also a employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.
You will be part of the North West & Central Region (NW&C) which consist of three routes - North West, Central and West Coast South - and a regional team supporting Regional Major Programmes & Professional services. You can learn more about our region here: .
Brief Description
As Legal Counsel (Property) you will provide high quality legal advice aligned to a region or regions within Network Rail. You will have regard to the need for management of corporate legal risk and delivery of legal services to the Company, especially but not exclusively in the areas of real estate and property litigation law. As a strategic business partner of the region you will support the business to achieve its strategic priorities and be integral to the delivery of these aims. With appropriate supervision, you will have a high degree of autonomy in the work you deliver and with the support of experienced colleagues, the Head of Legal and General Counsel for the Region. You will work closely with colleagues across the business, including in respect of frontline railway operations, nationally and politically significant infrastructure projects, major railway enhancements and industry initiatives. As part of a national legal community, you will work cooperatively and collaboratively with other members of the legal team across the Regions and National functions and support matters on the agenda of the Board.
The role may suit someone with railway specific, or similar industry experience with an emphasis on health and safety; though that experience is not a requirement for the role. Experience of giving Landlord & Tenant advice will be useful.
This is a temporary opportunity to June 2026, with the potential to be extended.
The successful candidate can be based in Birmingham, London (Waterloo), Manchester or Milton Keynes. Interviews will take place in Birmingham or Milton Keynes.
About the role (External)
1. Supporting and working alongside the Head of Legal (Regions) on complex and/or high value legal matters, with specific emphasis on real estate and property litigation matters.
2. Responsible for delivery of legal advice that is business focused, accurate and appropriate, so allowing the company to reduce its risk of exposure and achieve its commercial and business objectives.
3. Assisting the Head of Legal (Regions) on the development of both national and regional company policies and processes, and/or training in order to foster a holistic and effective approach to the legal management of Network Rail's land asset management.
4. Participation in various cross regional project teams advising on legal aspects and problem solving in order to achieve commercial objectives.
5. Instruct and supervise external lawyers to support their areas of responsibility, when required.
6. Providing regular information and reports of work in progress to the Head of Legal (Regions), as required.
7. Contribute actively to a property legal national community of practice.
8. Participate in various executive meetings relevant to the Region and provide reports and information to the Head of Legal (Regions), as required.
In order to be successful in this role, we would like you to have/to be:
Qualified solicitor or barrister with previous experience.
Legal background to be gained across a number of legal areas whether commercial, corporate, competition, litigation, property or otherwise - but must have substantial commercial or litigation experience.
Ability to identify and minimise corporate legal risk
Strong communication and interpersonal skills both verbally and in writing.
Proactive and Commercially minded
Creative problem solver with can do attitude
Works well under pressure, with the ability to prioritise and handle competing demands.
Basic financial/accounts understanding
We would also like but it isn't crucial to have/to be:
In-house experience (the includes, for example, a secondment)
Experience in a regulated or public sector body environment
Experience of planning processes, particularly in obtaining or responding to the applications for new statutory powers for compulsory acquisition, for example, Transport and Works Act 1992 and Planning Act 2008.
How to apply (External)
Salary: 55,596 - 65,966
Closing date: Thursday 18 September 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. We may close the advert early if we receive a large volume of applicants.
As this is a role in a regional team, occasional travel across NW&C is required. Candidates should be comfortable with frequent travel to client sites, regional offices, or other business locations as needed.
This is a fixed-term opportunity ending in June 2026, and has the potential to be extended.
Click apply now to apply.
You can visit for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
Network Rail Benefits

• 28 days annual leave - with the opportunity to buy and/or sell upto 5 days
• Access to a range of contributory pension schemes, and the potential to top up your competitive salary with a bonus
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train
• Privileged staff travel - Discretionary leisure travel discount of 75%
• We can offer you a season ticket loan, annual season tickets are discounted.
• A 35-hour-per-week contract with flexible working options available to help support your work-life balance
• Hybrid working where possible and enhanced family-friendly support
• Take advantage of healthcare offers (including discounted healthcare club membership), discounted cycle hire, and online shopping sites
• 5 days of paid volunteering leave
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Skills Required