At a Glance
- Tasks: Draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts while advising on project delivery.
- Company: Join a dynamic in-house legal team focused on major UK infrastructure projects.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience with high-value projects and develop your legal skills.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of impactful infrastructure projects and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with construction sector experience and strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: Enjoy a collaborative environment that values ownership and practical problem-solving.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is an opportunity for a construction lawyer to step into an in-house role embedded in the delivery of complex UK infrastructure projects, working closely with commercial and project teams rather than advising from the sidelines. The role suits a junior construction lawyer who enjoys contract work but wants greater ownership, closer involvement in decision-making, and a clearer line of sight between legal advice and how projects are actually delivered on site.
You’ll join a collaborative in-house legal team supporting a portfolio of high-value, strategically important infrastructure and construction programmes across the UK. The work is predominantly non-contentious, with some exposure to dispute avoidance and resolution, and a strong emphasis on providing practical, commercially grounded advice to teams operating in live project environments. Over time, the role offers increasing autonomy and visibility across projects as you build relationships with internal stakeholders and develop a deeper understanding of the business.
What you’ll be doing:
- Taking ownership of drafting, reviewing and negotiating construction and project contracts, with a strong focus on standard forms (NEC experience particularly relevant)
- Advising on associated arrangements including joint ventures, consultancy and professional services contracts, variations, settlement agreements, heads of terms and collaboration agreements
- Supporting both upstream (client-side) and downstream (supply-chain) contracting on live projects
- Working closely with project, commercial and procurement teams to identify, manage and mitigate legal and commercial risk
- Managing and instructing external advisers where appropriate, with a focus on efficiency and value
- Contributing to the development of practical templates, processes and ways of working within the legal team
- Supporting compliance and governance matters relevant to infrastructure delivery, including ESG, competition and ethical business requirements
- Providing clear, pragmatic advice that balances legal risk with commercial outcomes
What they’re looking for:
- A qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with experience in the construction sector
- A background in non-contentious construction and projects work, with exposure to standard form contracts such as NEC, JCT and/or FIDIC
- Strong drafting and negotiation skills, with the confidence to advise non-legal stakeholders directly
- Commercially minded, with a genuine interest in how projects are delivered in practice
- Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-moving project environment
- Clear, practical communicator who can translate legal issues into actionable advice
- Prior in-house or secondment experience is helpful, but not essential
Why this role stands out:
- Direct exposure to high-value, nationally significant UK infrastructure projects
- A genuine in-house position with day-to-day interaction with project and commercial teams
- Broad scope across non-contentious work, with insight into dispute management and risk strategy
- A strong platform for lawyers considering their first or second move in-house
- An environment that values ownership, curiosity and practical problem-solving over hierarchy
- This role is particularly well suited to construction lawyers who want to be closer to delivery, take on greater responsibility, and develop as commercially astute in-house advisers.
Construction Legal Counsel - Infrastructure/Projects in London employer: Heriot Brown In-House Legal Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Heriot Brown In-House Legal Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Construction Legal Counsel - Infrastructure/Projects in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the construction and legal sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by understanding the projects and challenges the company is facing. Research their recent work and think about how your skills can help them tackle those issues. This shows you’re not just interested in the role, but genuinely invested in their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a construction lawyer, you’ll need to be confident in discussions. Role-play scenarios with friends or colleagues to get comfortable articulating your thoughts and defending your positions. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. Tailor your application to highlight your experience with NEC contracts and your ability to provide practical, commercially grounded advice. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for this in-house role!
We think you need these skills to ace Construction Legal Counsel - Infrastructure/Projects in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Construction Law: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for construction law shine through. We want to see that you’re not just ticking boxes but genuinely excited about the role and how it fits into the bigger picture of infrastructure projects.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Highlight your experience with NEC contracts and any relevant projects you've worked on. We love seeing how your background aligns with what we do!
Be Clear and Concise: In your written application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language to explain your experience and skills. We appreciate a practical communicator who can get to the point without unnecessary jargon.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Heriot Brown In-House Legal Recruitment
✨Know Your Contracts
Familiarise yourself with standard forms of contracts like NEC, JCT, and FIDIC. Be ready to discuss your experience with these documents and how you've navigated contract negotiations in the past. This will show that you understand the core of the role and can hit the ground running.
✨Show Your Commercial Mindset
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to balance legal advice with commercial outcomes. Think about times when you've provided practical solutions that benefited a project or team. This will demonstrate your understanding of how legal decisions impact project delivery.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be prepared to talk about your experience working with non-legal stakeholders. Share specific instances where you translated complex legal issues into actionable advice for project teams. This will illustrate your communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of scenarios where you've identified and mitigated legal risks in a fast-paced environment. Discuss how you approached these challenges and the outcomes. This will showcase your proactive approach and readiness to take ownership in an in-house setting.