Legal Counsel

Inchcape plc.; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive services company in Uxbridge is seeking a proactive Junior Legal Counsel to join their team. The role involves negotiating construction contracts, supporting legal training, and providing legal advice to various business units. Candidates should have a professional qualification as a Solicitor and some experience in projects and construction law. This position offers a varied work environment and a chance to develop real hands-on experience in a dynamic sector.

Qualifications

• Experience in drafting, negotiating and advising on complex commercial contracts.
• Ability to give concise legal advice and a commitment to excellence in client service.
• Willingness to develop in the energy sector.

Responsibilities

• Review new business opportunities and negotiate various forms of construction contracts.
• Support the rollout of legal training exercises within the division.
• Provide swift support on legal and commercial issues as they arise.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

Professional qualification as a Solicitor

Experience in projects and construction law

Tools

SharePoint

Job description

Responsibilities

• Review new business opportunities, advise on and negotiate various forms of construction contracts, and identify and work with the business units to develop strategies to manage risks and mitigations.
• Promote compliance with Mitie's governance and approval processes.
• Support the development of and the rollout of legal training exercises within the division.
• Collaborate with other members of the legal team to support the development and implementation of strategy and policies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships to provide timely and commercial legal support.
• To provide swift support on other legal and commercial issues as they arise such as termination of contracts, payment issues and other formal and informal dispute related matters, working closely with finance, commercial and operations directors within the business and taking the lead on legal decisions concerning those matters.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of a reliable, and comprehensive precedent bank to enable standard documents to be prepared, adapted and produced quickly.
• Assist with training colleagues in the project management and commercial team on contracting and procurement issues.
• Instructing and managing external legal advisers ensuring advice received is concise, constructive and commercially appropriate.
  We are looking for a proactive junior legal counsel who is keen to learn and develop real hands‑on experience in a varied work environment supporting the Projects business units with their day‑to‑day legal needs. A clear commercial approach, enthusiasm and a flexible and questioning attitude are the key requirements – as well as some commercial contract negotiation experience. Professional qualification as a Solicitor.

Qualifications

• Experience in projects and construction law, including familiarity with standard form construction contracts such as NEC and/or FIDIC, or other experience in drafting, negotiating and advising on complex commercial contracts.
• Experience of projects/construction work within the energy industry is desirable but a willingness to develop in this sector is essential.
• A commitment to excellence in client service with a pragmatic approach and the ability to give concise legal advice.
• Good influencing and communication skills.
• Ability to multitask, work well under pressure and to use own initiative.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and SharePoint.

Desirable

• Experience of a fast paced in-house legal function.
• Experience of instructing/managing external legal services providers.
• Dispute resolution experience (although this is a predominantly non‑contentious role).