Legal Counsel

WorldFirst; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fintech company, part of Ant Group, is seeking a Legal Counsel in London. This role requires expertise in financial services and commercial law, offering guiding legal advice to support business expansion in EMEA. The ideal candidate will have strong project management and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years PQE in financial services or corporate law.
• Experience in legal and regulatory advice for technology or financial services.
• Ability to articulate complex issues clearly.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on regulatory compliance for products in the payments industry.
• Draft and negotiate contracts with various stakeholders.
• Collaborate with compliance and AML experts on key regulatory matters.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Project management

Education

Qualified solicitor (UK/European)

Job description

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Description

Position at Ant Group

The role: We are seeking a high-calibre Legal Counsel with a regulatory and commercial background to join our fast-growing and dynamic legal team in London. You will work closely with all areas of the business and take a collaborative approach to solving complex legal challenges. We are part of a worldwide fintech company in fast expansion, valuing its employees and committed to organic professional growth. We seek a skilled lawyer willing to contribute to our business and growth in the EMEA region.

About us: We are a fast-growing payment and technology business in EMEA. As part of Ant Group, headquartered in China, we represent one of the key international hubs for Ant Group’s global business, providing B2B and B2C payment and product solutions to fintech players, banks, merchants, and users worldwide. Our key business lines in EMEA include partnering with strategic fintech players, merchant/card acquirers, financial institutions, global merchants, and SMEs to deliver top-notch online and offline payment solutions.

You will be expected to:

1. Understand and translate directives, laws, and regulations relevant to payment networks, schemes, service providers, and other participants in the payments industry into business-friendly language.
2. Work in a multicultural environment, interacting with internal stakeholders globally.
3. Provide clear, timely, and actionable legal advice to cross-border and cross-functional stakeholders on products and features developed and launched by UK and EEA e-money/payment institutions, ensuring regulatory compliance while meeting customer needs.
4. Advise on product structure and draft/negotiate contracts with internal and external parties.
5. Act as a trusted adviser to management on key regulatory matters across the EMEA region, collaborating with compliance, AML, and data privacy experts.
6. Identify productivity improvements and support process changes.
7. Act as a strategic business partner, researching and evaluating new territories, and providing proactive, results-oriented advice to facilitate international expansion.

Skills, qualities, and experience required

1. Qualified solicitor (UK/European) with at least 5 years PQE in financial services or commercial/corporate law, either in a law firm or in-house.
2. Experience in providing legal and regulatory advice, drafting, and negotiating commercial agreements, preferably with a technology or financial services background.
3. Strong interpersonal, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly.
4. A strong sense of ownership supporting the business’s commercial objectives and an active interest in developments in the global payment and fintech industry.
5. Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
6. Ability to work autonomously.