Legal Counsel

Full Job Description

Legal Counsel

Hybrid / London

Speciality Insurance

Excellent + Exceptional Benefits + 30% bonus

The role

• Support the delivery of the functional strategic plans by being responsible for certain legal activities, which includes planning and organising own workload/resources to ensure responsibilities and commitments are performed to the required standards, timescales and targets.
• Responsible for ensuring that all activities performed by the UK Branch or those which are co-sourced are conducted in accordance with relevant regulations and to ensure maintenance of required standards of legal compliance.

Key accountabilities

• Provision of legal and regulatory advice to the UK Branch
• Provide legal experience and expertise, including drafting, negotiation and review of all relevant commercial agreements in accordance with regulatory requirements and internal controls (for example: agency agreements, binding authority agreements, third party administrator agreements, agreements for services, SLAs, non-standard TOBAs, run-off agreements, co-insurance agreements, re-insurance agreements, share purchase agreements, software & licence agreements and confidentiality agreements)
• To maintain knowledge and work with the rest of the legal team on local data protection and privacy law
• Work in a cross-border team to resolve legal issues
• Horizon scanning and monitoring all relevant legal developments for circulation to the department, business, and in order to strategically advise senior management and Home Office (where applicable)
• Provide assistance with maintaining the UK legal precedent bank
• When required, review and adapt UK policies for local laws and regulations
• To provide assistance on non-Claims department disputes and settlement discussions and, where necessary, oversee instructions of external legal counsel
• Assist with and where necessary advise the business on HSUB-related corporate legal matters, including Part VII/portfolio transfers and M&A activities
• Develop client relationships in conjunction with underwriting functions, including participating in Principal's Meetings where necessary
• Escalate any issues and inefficiencies identified within the department and assist with revising working methods/processes to enhance effectiveness, quality and processes for the department, including identifying appropriate legal technology
• Provide training to the business on new and ongoing legal issues
• Identify courses and seminars relevant to the legal team and make recommendations for their attendance to ensure CPD maintenance

Skills & experience

• Law degree (or equivalent) and admission to practice in a Commonwealth Jurisdiction with at least NQ to 4 years' post qualification experience (obtained either in private practice or in-house)
• Experience within general insurance, preferably non-life
• Contract negotiation
• Commercial contracts experience required * a must have *
• Team working skills
• Proactive and highly motivated