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- Tasks: Provide legal counsel on property matters and manage external legal firms.
- Company: Criterion Capital, a family office with a diverse property portfolio.
- Benefits: Competitive salary and the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Join a fast-paced team and make a real impact in property law.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in property law with strong negotiation and communication skills.
- Other info: Hands-on role with opportunities for leadership and mentorship.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
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.
General Counsel employer: Criterion Capital
Contact Detail:
Criterion Capital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the property law sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your hands-on experience in property law. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in residential, commercial, or construction matters to demonstrate your value.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a role that fits your skills, don’t just wait for the application process to open. Reach out directly to the company through our website, express your interest, and ask if they’d consider you for future opportunities. It shows initiative and can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the unexpected! In interviews, be ready for scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills in real-life legal situations. Think about past experiences where you’ve had to manage disputes or negotiate contracts, and be prepared to discuss your approach and outcomes.
We think you need these skills to ace General Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Property Expertise: Make sure to highlight your extensive experience in property law, especially in residential, commercial, and construction disputes. We want to see how your background aligns with the diverse legal matters we handle at Criterion Capital.
Be Hands-On: Since this role is not your typical corporate legal position, emphasise your hands-on approach to managing legal matters. Share examples of how you've directly handled litigation or landlord-tenant issues to demonstrate your practical skills.
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to tailor your application to our specific needs. Reference the key responsibilities and requirements from the job description, showing us how your skills and experiences make you the perfect fit for the General Counsel role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Criterion Capital
✨Know Your Property Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your property law knowledge, especially around residential, commercial, and construction disputes. Be ready to discuss specific cases or scenarios where you've successfully navigated complex legal issues in these areas.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
This role is all about being hands-on, so prepare examples that highlight your direct involvement in managing legal matters. Talk about how you've effectively handled litigation in-house and managed external legal agencies when necessary.
✨Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to discuss how you approach litigation strategy and risk management. Share examples of how you've developed dispute resolution strategies and provided insights that have helped mitigate potential legal risks.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, think of ways to demonstrate your strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to talk about how you've built relationships across teams to provide early legal input and foster collaboration.