Property Law

As safe as houses...

Property law is a thriving area of practice, especially during periods of economic boom. The value of land, as an immovable asset, has always been high throughout history and there will always be a market to buy, lease, sell, or develop it.

As a lawyer in this field, you could work on residential or commercial property matters, or you could do both. Commercial property work can be further divided into private and public sector projects. If you get your teeth into property law, you might provide legal services for individuals, groups, companies, investors, developers, public bodies or governments.

What does property law involve?

For most people, purchasing a property is the single biggest transaction they will ever make. Often, they will commit to a large level of debt, which they may be paying off for the rest of their working life.

As a property lawyer, you could be involved in many types of property-based transactions. At the start of your career, you will work on drafting contracts and related documents and progress towards negotiations between parties. In most firms, junior lawyers often handle small value property matters on their own.

A number of people in property law choose to specialise, whereas others prefer to be general practitioners and work in all areas of property.

The daily tasks of a property lawyer include negotiating property transactions, structuring arrangements for conveyancing or investments, and preparing documentation, such as contracts, to finalize transactions. Solicitors will also collect relevant property information from surveyors and confirm that the party selling the property is the rightful owner.

What makes a good property lawyer?

To be successful as a property lawyer, you’ll need attention to detail and the ability to meticulously collate and present information. You must be logical in dealing with all concerned parties. Your drafting skills should be first-class and you’ll need to have a thorough understanding of the various laws and regulations that govern property.

Furthermore, your negotiation and communication skills should be top-notch, since most of the work involved is of a consensual nature. Client management is also important and you’ll need the ability to convert complex jargon and terminology into simple terms for your clients.