General Counsel in Stoke-on-Trent

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.