Legal Counsel

Communication Works; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a proactive In-House Lawyer to manage commercial disputes and debt recovery. This role offers significant autonomy, allowing you to work directly with senior management while influencing key legal strategies. Ideal candidates will be qualified solicitors or barristers with experience in County Court litigation. Flexible work options including full-time or part-time hours, alongside a competitive salary and benefits such as company pension and work-from-home opportunities.

Benefits

Company pension

Flexitime

Work from home

Qualifications

• Proven recent experience in County Court litigation, specifically in commercial debt recovery.
• Ability to articulate legal risk to non-legal colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Manage all commercial disputes and debt recovery matters.
• Draft and issue Letters Before Action (LBA) and court documents.
• Advise senior management on risk exposure related to debts.

Skills

Strong drafting skills

Excellent commercial acumen

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister in England & Wales

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