643 General Counsel jobs in the United Kingdom

Criterion Capital are seeking an experienced General Counsel to join Criterion Capital to manage residential, commercial, hospitality, and construction matters. As a family office managing a diverse property portfolio, we require a property specialist who can both handle matters directly and effectively and manage external legal agencies when appropriate.

The candidate must have significant property experience and be hands on - this is not a typical corporate legal role. Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a fast paced, diverse role requiring a confident, considered and pragmatic approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and guidance to leadership on a variety of legal matters.
• Manage external legal firms running litigation/disputes while handling litigation matters, and general matters in-house to optimise legal spend.
• Manage all landlord and tenant work.
• Oversee case management, strategy, and compliance across all legal areas.
• Review, negotiate and approve legal documents, contracts, and court filings.
• Supervise possession proceedings, money claims, and settlement agreements.
• Ensure proper drafting and issuance of court documents (claim forms, defences, witness statements) and sign and issue court documents when handling matters directly.
• Manage tenancy disputes, guarantor checks, and debt collection.
• Oversee contract disputes, lease agreements, and lender negotiations.
• Handle Section 146 Notices, contract drafting, and external legal coordination.
• Develop dispute resolution and risk mitigation strategies and provide regular reporting on litigation risks and exposures.
• Manage JCT contract reviews, subcontractor agreements, and payless notices.
• Supervise litigation strategy, court hearings, settlements, and negotiations.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC, Companies House, ICO, and corporate policies.
• Oversee company legal matters, including intellectual property and regulations.
• Implement and maintain litigation case management systems to track matters, deadlines, and costs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across the business to provide early legal input on potential disputes.
• Conduct periodic litigation risk assessments across the property portfolio to identify and mitigate potential issues.

Key Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in property law, covering residential, commercial, and construction disputes.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and communications skills.
• In-depth knowledge of the laws and legal limitations applicable to the Commercial & Residential Property industry.
• Experience with property portfolio management and landlord-tenant matters specific to high-value residential and commercial properties.
• Familiarity with construction industry standard forms (particularly JCT and NEC contracts), including contentious and non-contentious work.
• Strong expertise in contract law, dispute resolution, and compliance.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor legal teams.
• Extensive contentious experience, including hearings, settlements, and negotiations.
• Ability to manage multiple legal areas efficiently and provide strategic litigation oversight.
• Ability to balance commercial pragmatism with legal risk management.
• Current SRA practicing certificate with Rights of Audience
• Understanding of specific considerations of SRA-regulated solicitors in an in-house environment.

If you're a hands-on General Counsel, who enjoys a challenge and who thrives in an agile and lean environment, we want to hear from you.

Criterion Capital are seeking an experienced General Counsel to join Criterion Capital to manage residential, commercial, hospitality, and construction matters. As a family office managing a diverse property portfolio, we require a property specialist who can both handle matters directly and effectively and manage external legal agencies when appropriate.

The candidate must have significant property experience and be hands on - this is not a typical corporate legal role. Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a fast paced, diverse role requiring a confident, considered and pragmatic approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and guidance to leadership on a variety of legal matters.
• Manage external legal firms running litigation/disputes while handling litigation matters, and general matters in-house to optimise legal spend.
• Manage all landlord and tenant work.
• Oversee case management, strategy, and compliance across all legal areas.
• Review, negotiate and approve legal documents, contracts, and court filings.
• Supervise possession proceedings, money claims, and settlement agreements.
• Ensure proper drafting and issuance of court documents (claim forms, defences, witness statements) and sign and issue court documents when handling matters directly.
• Manage tenancy disputes, guarantor checks, and debt collection.
• Oversee contract disputes, lease agreements, and lender negotiations.
• Handle Section 146 Notices, contract drafting, and external legal coordination.
• Develop dispute resolution and risk mitigation strategies and provide regular reporting on litigation risks and exposures.
• Manage JCT contract reviews, subcontractor agreements, and payless notices.
• Supervise litigation strategy, court hearings, settlements, and negotiations.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC, Companies House, ICO, and corporate policies.
• Oversee company legal matters, including intellectual property and regulations.
• Implement and maintain litigation case management systems to track matters, deadlines, and costs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across the business to provide early legal input on potential disputes.
• Conduct periodic litigation risk assessments across the property portfolio to identify and mitigate potential issues.

Key Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in property law, covering residential, commercial, and construction disputes.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and communications skills.
• In-depth knowledge of the laws and legal limitations applicable to the Commercial & Residential Property industry.
• Experience with property portfolio management and landlord-tenant matters specific to high-value residential and commercial properties.
• Familiarity with construction industry standard forms (particularly JCT and NEC contracts), including contentious and non-contentious work.
• Strong expertise in contract law, dispute resolution, and compliance.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor legal teams.
• Extensive contentious experience, including hearings, settlements, and negotiations.
• Ability to manage multiple legal areas efficiently and provide strategic litigation oversight.
• Ability to balance commercial pragmatism with legal risk management.
• Current SRA practicing certificate with Rights of Audience
• Understanding of specific considerations of SRA-regulated solicitors in an in-house environment.

If you're a hands-on General Counsel, who enjoys a challenge and who thrives in an agile and lean environment, we want to hear from you.

The Arora Group is a successful soley UK-focused private group of companies, which leverages synergies across its specialist property, construction and hotel divisions to its strategic advantage.

Since 1999, the Group has built its standing through meticulously managing projects from inception to delivery and beyond. Today, it owns and manages a diverse portfolio of flagship assets across the nation’s key business locations, partnering with some of the world’s most recognised brands to deliver consistently high service levels and sustainable growth.

This role is fully office based in Heathrow Airport Area (5 days) .

We have great opportunity for experienced Legal Professionals to be part of our successful growth story. Bring us your passion and ambition and we will support you to achieve your goals and give you the rewards and benefits you deserve. We are looking for a General Counsel to oversee the legal aspects of our business. You will be able to take a strategic view of our exposure to risk and give necessary advice to mitigate it within our multi-faceted and expanding business. You will give legal advice and support to management about all relevant issues.

For more information on the Group please visit our website

Duties & Responsibilities

• Give accurate and timely counsel to executives in a variety of legal topics (commercial agreements, dispute resolution, corporate finance and corpoerate commercial etc.).
• Oversee from a project management perspective all complex legal transactions to ensure appropriate input from all company stakeholders and specialists.
• Be instrumental in leading risk management strategy within the company.
• Ensure compliance matters adhered to.
• Assume responsibility for Company Secretarial duties.
• Draft and solidify agreements, contracts, and other legal documents where appropriate.
• Manage external counsel and other related consultants to ensure that the company receives best value for money.
• Provide clarification on legal language or specifications to all who require it in the company.
• Maintain current knowledge of alterations or developments in legislation.

Skills & Experience

• Legal Qualification – Qualified UK solicitor with minimum 10 years PQE experience (will consider other PQE levels and qualified lawyers from other common law jurisdictions with eligibility to sit QLT)
• Excellent knowledge of corporate law with particular emphasis on corporate finance, dispute resolution and contracts .
• Methodical approach with an attention to detail
• Strong commercial outlook and pragmatic approach to legal practice
• Solid training from a reputable law firm and/or business
• Proven experience as a legal counsel in a fast paced business environment.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Sound judgement and ability to analyse situations and information.
• Able to work on multiple and diverse projects at the same time.
• Excellent communications skills.
• Likely to have circa 8 year experience within a small to medium national law firm prior to moving into business

Note for Recruitment Agencies: We prefer to hire directly and we will be in touch with our PSL Agencies if this role is eligible for release.

General Counsel

Global Insurance Company

London, UK

A global general insurance business is seeking to hire an experienced and commercially minded General Counsel to lead its legal and governance function, in London.

This is a key executive appointment reporting directly to the CEO, with responsibility for all legal, regulatory, and corporate governance matters across the business. The General Counsel will act as a trusted adviser to the Board and senior leadership, ensuring the company operates within a strong legal and regulatory framework while supporting its commercial and strategic growth ambitions.

You will lead the in-house legal team, manage external counsel relationships, and play an influential role in areas such as commercial contracts, corporate governance, product development, and regulatory engagement. The role also carries responsibility for Company Secretariat duties and will have close collaboration with the Compliance and Risk function heads.

Key Requirements:

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with 10–15+ years’ PQE.
• Proven experience within the general insurance sector (retail, commercial, or specialty lines).
• Strong understanding of FCA/PRA regulation, Solvency II, SMCR, and corporate governance frameworks.
• Track record of providing strategic legal leadership at senior or Board level.
• Confident, pragmatic communicator with strong stakeholder management skills.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a respected global insurer at a strategically important time, leading the legal agenda and influencing the future direction of the business.

Clare Wilkinson at Danos Group is exclusively retained to search. All applicants and 3rd party introductions will be sent to Clare for review and applications are treated in the strictest confidence.

General Counsel– 12-Month Fixed Term Contract

6+ years PQE

Sheffield

Hybrid working - 2 days in the office

The Company

This dynamic and ambitious company operates in the entertainment and media sector. The organisation prides itself on being a welcoming environment that values expression and open communication, where everyone has a voice and contribution matters.

The team is diverse and talented, bringing together professionals with decades of industry experience alongside recent graduates and skilled individuals from various backgrounds. This blend of perspectives creates a collaborative culture where knowledge-sharing and continuous learning are at the heart of everything they do.

Due to a period of maternity leave, the company is seeking a General Counsel to join the team for a 12-month fixed term contract.

The Role

As a key member of the team, you'll focus on licensing agreements for a portfolio of well-known athletes and sponsorship/brand placement licences. You'll thrive in a fast-paced environment and articulate positions related to licensing and sponsorships in a way that balances business needs with risk mitigation.

Other responsibilities:

• Analyse, review, draft and negotiate agreements for a wide variety of third-party contractual relationships with partners, including services, sales, advertising, licensing, distribution and manufacturing agreements.
• Draft and negotiate image rights agreements and sponsorship deals in tandem with the business development and brand management teams.
• Advise and help prepare responses to investigations and enquiries from any government and/or regulatory authority.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to support the continuous improvement of standard form agreements and legal processes.

The Candidate

To be considered for this role:

• You must be a UK-qualified solicitor with high-quality legal training from a respected large/medium-sized commercial law firm or an in-house legal department.
• You must have a minimum of 6 years' PQE.
• Your experience can come from a range of mainstream commercial practice areas, such as commercial contracts, corporate, or intellectual property.
• Experience at a media/entertainment company or professional sports organisation preferred, but not essential.

To succeed, the appointee will be someone who:

• Has a passion for excellence and an eye for detail but can balance this with coming to quick, practical, risk-based solutions.
• Is detail-orientated and a problem solver who can remain calm and work under pressure.
• Has an entrepreneurial spirit and a 'can do' attitude.
• Can manage a varied workload in an agile and fast-paced environment.
• Has an approachable, 'down to earth' style to fit the business culture with a focus on pragmatic commercial solutions.

Key Attractions

• Pioneering, high-quality and complex legal work.
• Regular senior management team exposure since sound legal advice underpins all areas of the business.
• Being an integral member of a small but supportive team focused on enabling the business to succeed and delivering outstanding legal services.

This in-house legal recruitment assignment is being handled exclusively by Andy Balmer of Think Legal Recruitment and all direct or third-party applications will be forwarded to them for consideration.

To apply, please email your CV, together with details of your current or most recent basic salary and package to:

General Counsel

Global Insurance Company

London, UK

A global general insurance business is seeking to hire an experienced and commercially minded General Counsel to lead its legal and governance function, in London.

This is a key executive appointment reporting directly to the CEO, with responsibility for all legal, regulatory, and corporate governance matters across the business. The General Counsel will act as a trusted adviser to the Board and senior leadership, ensuring the company operates within a strong legal and regulatory framework while supporting its commercial and strategic growth ambitions.

You will lead the in-house legal team, manage external counsel relationships, and play an influential role in areas such as commercial contracts, corporate governance, product development, and regulatory engagement. The role also carries responsibility for Company Secretariat duties and will have close collaboration with the Compliance and Risk function heads.

Key Requirements:

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with 10–15+ years’ PQE.
• Proven experience within the general insurance sector (retail, commercial, or specialty lines).
• Strong understanding of FCA/PRA regulation, Solvency II, SMCR, and corporate governance frameworks.
• Track record of providing strategic legal leadership at senior or Board level.
• Confident, pragmatic communicator with strong stakeholder management skills.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a respected global insurer at a strategically important time, leading the legal agenda and influencing the future direction of the business.

Clare Wilkinson at Danos Group is exclusively retained to search. All applicants and 3rd party introductions will be sent to Clare for review and applications are treated in the strictest confidence.

Job Title: General Counsel

Salary: to £180,000 depending on experience

Location: London

PQE: 5 Years +

Hybrid: Yes

Award-winning, independent property developer, with a portfolio of some of Europe’s largest urban development projects, are looking for a General Counsel to join their senior management team and provide subject matter expertise for all legal matters across their property portfolio.

A selection of Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice in relation to commercial or property matters, and disputes
• Review and advise on contractual matters for the business
• Lead and support the In-House legal team with enquiries, consents, licences etc.
• Provide legal support, advice and strategic direction in relation to for profit Registered Provider
• Lead on regulatory and statutory compliance for for profit Registered Provider as well as any associated company
• Advise the board on corporate governance and ensure the company is run in line with best practice
• Ensure the company complies with all relevant laws, regulations and Articles of Association, where appropriate
• Organise and coordinate board and shareholder meetings including preparing agendas, distributing documents and recording minutes
• Implement and maintain risk management processes with a particular focus on property, GDPR, Anti Money Laundering and Anti Bribery procedures
• Lead and support the business with governance and compliance to ensure that processes are robust and legally compliant
• Provide guidance and advice on all property escalations and dispute cases across the portfolio

It is essential that you are a qualified solicitor with a minimum of 5 years’ PQE, have significant experience working across a multi development property portfolio, and have had exposure (or at least knowledge of) to for profit Register Provider processes. You must also have a proven track record in gaining the trust of stakeholders and be technically capable, as well as the ambition to work as a generalist within g a property asset management business.

Exceptional benefits on offer and beautiful offices – this is a fantastic opportunity to work for a leading property asset manager with an enviable portfolio of development projects.

McKinlay Law endeavour to contact all successful candidates within 24 hours. However, due to the volume of applications that we receive, we are not able to respond to every candidate individually. If you have not heard from us within 24 hours your application has been unsuccessful and we have not retained your details.

Job Title: General Counsel

Salary: to £180,000 depending on experience

Location: London

PQE: 5 Years +

Hybrid: Yes

Award-winning, independent property developer, with a portfolio of some of Europe’s largest urban development projects, are looking for a General Counsel to join their senior management team and provide subject matter expertise for all legal matters across their property portfolio.

A selection of Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice in relation to commercial or property matters, and disputes
• Review and advise on contractual matters for the business
• Lead and support the In-House legal team with enquiries, consents, licences etc.
• Provide legal support, advice and strategic direction in relation to for profit Registered Provider
• Lead on regulatory and statutory compliance for for profit Registered Provider as well as any associated company
• Advise the board on corporate governance and ensure the company is run in line with best practice
• Ensure the company complies with all relevant laws, regulations and Articles of Association, where appropriate
• Organise and coordinate board and shareholder meetings including preparing agendas, distributing documents and recording minutes
• Implement and maintain risk management processes with a particular focus on property, GDPR, Anti Money Laundering and Anti Bribery procedures
• Lead and support the business with governance and compliance to ensure that processes are robust and legally compliant
• Provide guidance and advice on all property escalations and dispute cases across the portfolio

It is essential that you are a qualified solicitor with a minimum of 5 years’ PQE, have significant experience working across a multi development property portfolio, and have had exposure (or at least knowledge of) to for profit Register Provider processes. You must also have a proven track record in gaining the trust of stakeholders and be technically capable, as well as the ambition to work as a generalist within g a property asset management business.

Exceptional benefits on offer and beautiful offices – this is a fantastic opportunity to work for a leading property asset manager with an enviable portfolio of development projects.

McKinlay Law endeavour to contact all successful candidates within 24 hours. However, due to the volume of applications that we receive, we are not able to respond to every candidate individually. If you have not heard from us within 24 hours your application has been unsuccessful and we have not retained your details.

Criterion Capital are seeking an experienced General Counsel to join Criterion Capital to manage residential, commercial, hospitality, and construction matters. As a family office managing a diverse property portfolio, we require a property specialist who can both handle matters directly and effectively and manage external legal agencies when appropriate.

The candidate must have significant property experience and be hands on - this is not a typical corporate legal role. Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a fast paced, diverse role requiring a confident, considered and pragmatic approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and guidance to leadership on a variety of legal matters.
• Manage external legal firms running litigation/disputes while handling litigation matters, and general matters in-house to optimise legal spend.
• Manage all landlord and tenant work.
• Oversee case management, strategy, and compliance across all legal areas.
• Review, negotiate and approve legal documents, contracts, and court filings.
• Supervise possession proceedings, money claims, and settlement agreements.
• Ensure proper drafting and issuance of court documents (claim forms, defences, witness statements) and sign and issue court documents when handling matters directly.
• Manage tenancy disputes, guarantor checks, and debt collection.
• Oversee contract disputes, lease agreements, and lender negotiations.
• Handle Section 146 Notices, contract drafting, and external legal coordination.
• Develop dispute resolution and risk mitigation strategies and provide regular reporting on litigation risks and exposures.
• Manage JCT contract reviews, subcontractor agreements, and payless notices.
• Supervise litigation strategy, court hearings, settlements, and negotiations.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC, Companies House, ICO, and corporate policies.
• Oversee company legal matters, including intellectual property and regulations.
• Implement and maintain litigation case management systems to track matters, deadlines, and costs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across the business to provide early legal input on potential disputes.
• Conduct periodic litigation risk assessments across the property portfolio to identify and mitigate potential issues.

Key Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in property law, covering residential, commercial, and construction disputes.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and communications skills.
• In-depth knowledge of the laws and legal limitations applicable to the Commercial & Residential Property industry.
• Experience with property portfolio management and landlord-tenant matters specific to high-value residential and commercial properties.
• Familiarity with construction industry standard forms (particularly JCT and NEC contracts), including contentious and non-contentious work.
• Strong expertise in contract law, dispute resolution, and compliance.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor legal teams.
• Extensive contentious experience, including hearings, settlements, and negotiations.
• Ability to manage multiple legal areas efficiently and provide strategic litigation oversight.
• Ability to balance commercial pragmatism with legal risk management.
• Current SRA practicing certificate with Rights of Audience
• Understanding of specific considerations of SRA-regulated solicitors in an in-house environment.

If you're a hands-on General Counsel, who enjoys a challenge and who thrives in an agile and lean environment, we want to hear from you.