Legal Counsel

Communication Works; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic company in London seeks an experienced In-House Lawyer to manage commercial risk and oversee litigation and debt recovery processes. This unique role offers flexibility in working arrangements—remote, hybrid, or office-based—and close collaboration with the CEO. The ideal candidate must be a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with recent experience in County Court litigation, particularly in commercial debt recovery and strong drafting skills. This position presents a chance to directly influence company strategy and operations.

Benefits

Company pension

Flexitime

Work from home

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a current Practising Certificate.
• Proven experience in County Court litigation related to commercial debt recovery.
• Strong drafting skills for legal documents.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end commercial disputes and debt recovery matters.
• Act as the company's representative in court.
• Review and amend commercial contracts.

Skills

Strong drafting skills

Excellent commercial acumen

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister in England & Wales

Practising Certificate

Job description

The Opportunity : Drive Our Commercial Recovery

We are seeking a proactive and commercially-minded In-House Lawyer, to become a critical asset in managing our company's commercial risk, cash flow, and contract enforcement.

This is a unique opportunity to transition away from traditional private practice, working directly with the CEO, with a high degree of autonomy, directly impacting our bottom line by managing key litigation and debt recovery processes internally.

The Role : What You Will Be Doing

You will be responsible for end-to-end management of all commercial disputes and debt recovery matters, minimising reliance on expensive external counsel.

Key Responsibilities

• Dispute Resolution : Manage contract disputes, moving from pre-action correspondence through to court proceedings.
• Debt Collection & Litigation : Drafting and issuing Letters Before Action (LBA), preparing and issuing County Court Claims, and managing enforcement actions.
• Contract Review : Review and amend standard commercial contracts (terms and conditions, supplier agreements) to strengthen payment clauses, liability limitations, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Risk Mitigation : Advise the senior management and finance teams on risk exposure related to outstanding debts and contractual breaches.
• Court Attendance : Act as the company's representative in court (e.g., County Court small claims track hearings) as necessary.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary : Pro-rata equivalent of £50,000 per annum.
• Flexibility : Full-Time or Part-Time hours, tailored to the demands of the case load.
• Location Flexibility : Choice of Remote, Hybrid, or Office-Based working, provided you can attend Court when required.
• Autonomy : The opportunity to be the company's sole legal expert in this area, giving you direct influence over strategy and outcomes.

Candidate Requirements

Essential Experience

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister in England & Wales with a current Practising Certificate.
• Proven recent experience in County Court litigation, specifically dealing with commercial debt recovery and breach of contract claims.
• Strong drafting skills, particularly for legal correspondence (LBA's) and court documents.
• Excellent commercial acumen and the ability to articulate legal risk to non-legal colleagues.

Desirable

• Experience working within a credit control or finance department.
• Familiarity with the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) and Pre-Action Protocols.

To Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your specific experience in commercial litigation and debt recovery.

Job Types

Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Benefits

• Company pension
• Flexitime
• Work from home

Application question(s)

• Do you have Strong drafting skills, particularly for legal correspondence (LBA's) and court documents.
• Do you have Excellent commercial acumen and the ability to articulate legal risk to non-legal colleagues?

Experience

• County Court Litigation : 1 year (required)

Licence / Certification

• Practising Certificate (required)

Work Location

Hybrid remote in London NW1