Legal Counsel in London

LOCATION: MARBLE ARCH, LONDON (Hybrid – 4 days in office)

REPORTING TO: Senior Legal Counsel

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Permanent

Our purpose is to create and manage outstanding places which deliver positive outcomes for all our stakeholders on a long term, sustainable basis. We are a FTSE listed business with a strong balance sheet and £13bn of assets under management – but with just 600 employees, you’re given the ability to make a big impact and elevate your career quickly. Our diverse, passionate team of experts works on some of the most ambitious, innovative and sustainable projects in the country – from our high-quality campuses across central London, to some of the top retail schemes in the UK – providing a rewarding career journey where you can shape how you grow. We believe in shared success and enabling people to be themselves. If you want to feel listened to and understood in an environment where your opinions count and bright ideas are encouraged, you’ve come to the right place.

As Legal Counsel, you will provide comprehensive legal advice and support across all areas of the organisation. You will act as a trusted adviser to internal stakeholders at all levels, balancing commercial awareness with independence of mind, and enabling the organisation to achieve its objectives while managing legal, ethical, and reputational risks. The Legal team sits alongside British Land’s Company Secretarial, Data Privacy and Information Management teams, working collectively and with the rest of the business to identify and manage risk while contributing to the company’s success.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Support the General Counsel and Senior Legal Counsel to work closely with the business to identify, anticipate and address legal issues that arise in the course of British Land’s activities, developing an in‑depth understanding of those activities and associated business issues, risks and priorities.
• Identify, assess and mitigate legal, ethical and reputational risks, ensuring that decisions align with British Land’s approach to risk.
• Horizon-scan the policy and legal landscape and provide strategic counsel on emerging legislative developments and trends.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel, ensuring cost‑effective and high‑quality support when specialist advice is required.
• Supervise and mentor legal secondees, supporting their development and ensuring high standards of performance.
• Support the business in a wide range of commercial and other relationships, reviewing, drafting and negotiating legal agreements and other arrangements with a broad spectrum of suppliers, counterparties and other third parties.
• Provide accurate, practical and timely legal advice on a broad range of matters, including contracts, disputes, real estate transactions (including landlord and tenant), IP, employment and data protection.
• Assist teams in understanding the legal implications of their activities and empower them to manage risks effectively.
• Develop and maintain legal resources, including templates and guidance documents, to improve efficiency and support the wider organisation.
• Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required from time to time.

ABOUT YOU

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following core skills and competencies:

• A legal qualification recognised by the legal services regulator in England and Wales, with at least three years’ post‑qualification experience, ideally including in‑house experience (secondment or permanent).
• Strong technical legal advisor who understands the legal, reputational and commercial dimensions of risk.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex legal concepts clearly to non‑legal audiences orally and in writing.
• Strong integrity and independence of mind, with the ability to deliver difficult messages clearly and sensitively.
• Strong commercial acumen, with a solution‑oriented approach to legal advice.
• High emotional intelligence, enabling effective collaboration and influence across all levels of the organisation.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Creative problem‑solver; able to adapt to the changing demands of a fast‑paced environment.
• Great attention to detail and accuracy.
• Self‑sufficient, self‑starting and pro‑active; comfortable taking ownership of tasks and responsibility for delivery of actions.
• Thrives in a high‑performance environment; able to remain calm under pressure.
• Strong ethical judgement, with a commitment to upholding professional standards.
• (Desirable) Proficiency in using legal technology and/or Microsoft Power Platform; interest in and/or familiarity with automation as a tool to drive efficiencies in the legal process.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE IS LIKELY TO BE:

• From a Top 100 UK Law Firm and/or an in‑house lawyer from a FTSE 250 corporate or equivalent.
• Able to demonstrate experience within all or most of the following specialisms: general corporate and commercial, commercial contracts, real estate (including Landlord & Tenant) transactions, IP and data protection.

OUR SHARED VALUES

Our values are what we stand for at British Land, they’re not just a label on the door; they connect us every day to our vision, purpose, and strategy. They help us to promote an inclusive, positive, and collaborative culture.

A REWARDING PLACE TO BE

Our People – Just ask anyone why they love working here and they will tell you it’s the people. They’re highly talented, passionate, and collaborative! We thank our people with rewards that feel rewarding.

OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS

If you enjoy bringing your whole self to work, share our values and are excited about our purpose we’d love to hear from you! We are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive process.

Please note that we endeavour to get back to all applicants within 28 days. If you haven’t heard from us within this period, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.