Legal Counsel – Underwriting & Claims

QBE Europe; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company is looking for a Legal Counsel to join their in-house team in London. The role involves providing legal advice on insurance and reinsurance matters, drafting contracts, and supporting the legal strategy across UK operations. Candidates should be qualified lawyers with at least 4 years of experience and a strong understanding of English insurance law. This position offers a full-time, permanent contract in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years' post-qualification experience required.
• Thorough understanding of English insurance law and London insurance market.
• Sound understanding of UK general insurance regulation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on insurance and reinsurance matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts.
• Support delivery of legal strategy for managing risk.

Skills

Drafting skills

Client management

Negotiation skills

Understanding of insurance law

Ability to prioritize

Presentation skills

Education

Qualified solicitor or barrister

Job description

Primary Details Time Type: Full time Worker Type: Employee

Legal Counsel – Underwriting & Claims team

Location: London

Type: Full time, Permanent

The opportunity

We have a great opportunity for a Legal Counsel to join a highly regarded in‑house Legal team as a trusted legal advisor across our UK insurance and reinsurance operations, supporting them in the execution of their strategy by providing pragmatic solutions on a wide range of legal and regulatory matters.

Your new role

• Provide clear, practical legal advice on a broad range of insurance and reinsurance related underwriting and distribution matters, regulatory developments, and business projects.
• Support the Senior Legal Counsel and Head of Legal, Underwriting & Claims in delivering legal strategy and frameworks for managing legal risk.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with a focus on legal robustness and commercial viability.
• Ad hoc advice on contentious matters, claims coverage, contract interpretation, and legal aspects of claims handling.
• Assist in training on legal and regulatory topics.
• Monitor and analyse legal developments and emerging risks, ensuring the business remains informed and compliant.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business and promote the Legal team as a valued and accessible resource.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of legal processes, controls, and risk awareness.
• Represent the Legal team in cross‑functional initiatives and support group‑level projects.
• Participate in the legal duty solicitor rota.
• Foster strong internal relationships within the legal team.

About you

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with a minimum of 4 years’ post‑qualification experience.
• A thorough understanding of English insurance law and the London insurance market and a good technical insurance knowledge across commercial insurance business.
• Sound understanding of UK general insurance regulation relevant to insurance distribution and product governance is preferable.
• Experience of multi‑jurisdictional work is preferable.
• Excellent drafting and client management skills.
• Ability to prioritise and work under pressure.
• Good presentation and negotiating skills.
• Experience of direct client contact.
• Confidence to act independently and make technical decisions within competence, with ability to judge when to seek advice.
• Forward thinking and proactive in approach to work.

What next?

If you have a passion to contribute to QBE’s vision of enabling a more resilient future for our customers and the community, we encourage you to apply! Simply click the “apply” button to submit your CV and other relevant documents, and a member of our friendly Talent Acquisition team will be in contact to discuss your interest further if you meet the requirements of the role.

We believe this is our moment – what if it was yours too?

APPLY NOW and let’s make it happen!

Equal Employment Opportunity

QBE is an equal opportunity employer and is required to comply with equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction it operates.