Property Litigator

Criterion Capital; England; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A diverse property management firm in the UK is seeking an experienced Property Litigator with over 10 years in property law. The role requires managing litigation, providing legal counsel, and handling landlord and tenant matters. Candidates should possess strong negotiation skills and be familiar with construction agreements. This is a hands-on position ideal for someone looking to advance towards a General Counsel role in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in property law, covering residential, commercial, and construction disputes.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills are necessary.
• In-depth knowledge of legal limitations applicable to property law is required.
• Familiarity with construction contracts and high-value property management is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel on various matters including landlord and tenant work.
• Manage external legal firms and litigation matters in-house.
• Review, negotiate, and approve legal documents and contracts.
• Ensure compliance with legal regulations and company policies.
• Conduct litigation risk assessments periodically.

Skills

Property law experience

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Contract law expertise

Dispute resolution knowledge

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Property Litigator to manage residential, commercial, hospitality, and construction matters.

As a family office managing a diverse property portfolio, we require a property specialist who can both handle matters directly and effectively and manage external legal agencies when appropriate.

The candidate must have significant property experience and be hands on - this is not a typical corporate legal role. Reporting directly to the owner, this is a fast paced, diverse role requiring a confident, considered and pragmatic approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and guidance to leadership on a variety of legal matters.
• Manage external legal firms running litigation / disputes while handling litigation matters, and general matters in-house to optimise legal spend.
• Manage all landlord and tenant work.
• Oversee case management, strategy, and compliance across all legal areas.
• Review, negotiate and approve legal documents, contracts, and court filings.
• Supervise possession proceedings, money claims, and settlement agreements.
• Ensure proper drafting and issuance of court documents (claim forms, defences, witness statements) and sign and issue court documents when handling matters directly.
• Manage tenancy disputes, guarantor checks, and debt collection.
• Oversee contract disputes, lease agreements, and lender negotiations.
• Handle Section 146 Notices, contract drafting, and external legal coordination.
• Develop dispute resolution and risk mitigation strategies and provide regular reporting on litigation risks and exposures.
• Manage JCT contract reviews, subcontractor agreements, and payless notices.
• Supervise litigation strategy, court hearings, settlements, and negotiations.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC, Companies House, ICO, and corporate policies.
• Oversee company legal matters, including intellectual property and regulations.
• Implement and maintain litigation case management systems to track matters, deadlines, and costs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across the business to provide early legal input on potential disputes.
• Conduct periodic litigation risk assessments across the property portfolio to identify and mitigate potential issues.

Key Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in property law, covering residential, commercial, and construction disputes.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and communications skills.
• In-depth knowledge of the laws and legal limitations applicable to the Commercial & Residential Property industry.
• Experience with property portfolio management and landlord-tenant matters specific to high-value residential and commercial properties.
• Familiarity with construction industry standard forms (particularly JCT and NEC contracts), including contentious and non-contentious work.
• Strong expertise in contract law, dispute resolution, and compliance.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor legal teams.
• Extensive contentious experience, including hearings, settlements, and negotiations.
• Ability to manage multiple legal areas efficiently and provide strategic litigation oversight.
• Ability to balance commercial pragmatism with legal risk management.
• Current SRA practicing certificate with Rights of Audience
• Understanding of specific considerations of SRA-regulated solicitors in an in-house environment.

If you're a hands-on Property Litigator who wants to become a General Counsel, who enjoys a challenge and who thrives in an agile and lean environment, we want to hear from you.