Legal Counsel (Qualified Solicitor)

FQPS Academy Ltd.; Greater London; Híbrido; GBP 50.000 - 61.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Staff lunches

Team drinks

Quarterly events

ARLA training

Staff incentives

Casual Fridays

Training & progression

Referral scheme

Descripción de la vacante

Apex Housing Solutions seeks a Legal Counsel (Qualified Solicitor) to head the legal function from London. You will advise the CEO and executive team, shaping strategy while leveraging AI to handle routine tasks and focus on high-value advice.

This hybrid role combines office and flexible home working, with a strong focus on property and housing-related matters, including regulatory compliance and ESG initiatives.

Formación

• Qualified solicitor with practising certificate and 2+ PQE.
• Experience in temporary accommodation or social housing preferred.
• Knowledge of possession, eviction and Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is a plus.

Responsabilidades

• Lead and own the entire legal function and budget.
• Manage possession and eviction cases from notice to court.
• Handle disrepair and landlord claims with insurers and property teams.
• Draft and negotiate leases, council agreements and commercial contracts.
• Advise CEO on risk and key strategic decisions.
• Lead legal aspects of future M&A projects.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and ESG commitments; use AI workflows.

Conocimientos

Legal acumen

Housing law expertise

Commercial advisory

AI collaboration

Educación

Qualified solicitor (England & Wales)

Herramientas

Legal tech tools

Descripción del empleo

Role: Legal Counsel (Qualified Solicitor)

Reporting to: CEO, working closely with the Executive team (COO & CFO)

Location: London W10 5AD

Hours: Mon-Thu, 9am-6pm, Friday 9am-5pm

Working pattern: Hybrid mix of office-based & flexible working from home (for right candidate)

Contract: Full-time, permanent (part-time also considered for right candidate)

Salary: £55,000 per annum + benefits

The role

This is a broad, hands‑on role with real ownership. You will run the entire legal function, act as the business’s principal legal adviser, and work closely with the CEO and Executive team. We use AI to take routine admin and first drafts off your desk, so you can spend your time on advice, case strategy and the work that makes a difference.

What you’ll do

• Lead and own the entire legal function, including its priorities, processes and budget
• Manage possession and eviction cases proactively from notice through to possession, including court hearings
• Respond to and resolve disrepair and landlord claims, working with insurers and our property teams
• Draft and negotiate leases, council agreements and commercial contracts
• Advise the CEO and Executive team commercially on risk and key decisions
• Lead the legal side of future M&A projects
• Own regulatory compliance and support our ESG commitments, including new service lines
• Use AI tools, templates and workflows to deliver fast, accurate legal work

What you’ll bring

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales) with a current practising certificate and 2+ years’ PQE
• Knowledge and experience of temporary accommodation, social housing or housing law
• A strong grasp of possession and eviction law and case law, including the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
• Experience of housing disrepair claims and County Court possession work
• A proactive, organised approach to managing a busy caseload
• A commercial mindset and clear, practical advice for non-lawyers
• Confidence with technology and an interest in using AI to work smarter

It would be great if you also have experience of M&A or corporate work, property compliance, CQC regulation, ESG, or acting for a social landlord, local authority or landlord‑side firm.

What we offer

• Competitive salary & benefits package
• Ownership of a legal function in a growing PE‑backed business
• Direct access to, and influence with, the Executive team
• Exposure to M&A and new service lines
• Support for your CPD

PERKS AND BENEFITS

• Monthly staff lunches
• Monthly team Drinks
• Quarterly social Events
• Sponsored ARLA training and qualification
• Regular Staff Incentives & Awards
• Casual (clothes) Fridays
• Staff Training, Development and Progression Programme (including regular feedback and 1-2-1 sessions)
• Staff referral Scheme (up to £1,000)

Pay: Up to £55,000.00 per year

About Apex

Apex Housing Solutions is one of London’s leading providers of temporary accommodation (TA) and social housing. We are a preferred supplier to almost all of London’s 32 local authorities.

We lease homes from private landlords on guaranteed rent agreements and provide them to local authorities to house families and individuals who need a safe place to live. Landlords get secure, reliable income without the cost and hassle of day‑to‑day management. Councils get a trusted partner that delivers high‑quality homes and property management.

Founded in 2008 with a small, dedicated team, Apex has grown steadily as more landlords have chosen the security of guaranteed rent. In 2021, we received backing from BGF, one of the UK and Ireland’s largest and most experienced Private Equity growth capital investors.

We are ambitious and open to new ideas that make a positive difference to housing in London. As a strong promoter of diversity, we’re always looking for passionate people to join our team.

Closing date: 4th November 2026. We may close the advert early if we receive a high number of applications.

Apex Housing Solutions is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified people.

Will this role count as your QWE, and who will confirm it?

Check it against the SRA’s questions in two minutes. If there is no COLP or solicitor where you work, the SRA lets a solicitor outside confirm it: an FQPS solicitor can, from £149.