Special Projects General Counsel

ENL Legal Recruitment; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing association in London seeks a Litigation / Latent Defects Claims Lead. This pivotal role requires expertise in construction law, management of latent defect claims, and providing strategic legal support. Ideal candidates are solicitors with at least 3 years PQE and strong drafting skills, ready to make a significant impact.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ PQE in contentious construction law.
• Demonstrated experience in latent defect claims.
• Sound knowledge of construction contract law (JCT, NEC).

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee handling of latent defect claims.
• Draft clear, practical legal advice for stakeholders.
• Advise on construction law aspects including procurement.

Skills

Litigation experience

Negotiation skills

Communication

Drafting legal documents

Legal advisory

Education

Qualified solicitor

Job description

JOB TITLE: Litigation / Latent Defects Claims Lead
PQE REQUIRED: 3+
LOCATION: London
SALARY: £60,112 + bonus

THE ROLE: Our client, a respected housing association are recruiting for an experienced Litigation / Latent Defects Claims Lead. This is a pivotal position, offering the opportunity to take ownership of complex legal matters involving latent defects and contentious construction law, while also contributing strategic legal support on procurement and contract matters.

This role is ideal for a solicitor with strong litigation experience in the construction field and a solid understanding of the property sector. The successful candidate will also be expected to provide high-quality legal advice, draft complex contractual documentation, and support wider legal initiatives within the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and oversee the day-to-day handling of latent defect claims and related litigation files.
• Draft clear, practical legal advice for internal stakeholders across the business.
• Provide expert advice on all aspects of construction law, including payments, delays, defects, procurement issues, and insurance matters.
• Assist in the preparation of adjudication and arbitration submissions.
• Oversee legal proceedings in the Technology & Construction Court (TCC).
• Draft, review, and amend a broad range of legal agreements including:
• NEC and JCT construction contracts
• Maintain and update the organisation’s precedent library of construction contracts and sector-specific clauses.
• Advise internal teams on procurement strategies and contract structures, particularly in relation to complex construction projects.
• Deliver training and legal guidance to non-legal departments to support best practices in construction-related activities.
• Support resolution of high-value or complex commercial disputes, including pre-litigation strategy and assessment.

THE CANDIDATE:

• A qualified solicitor with a minimum of 3 years’ PQE in contentious construction law.
• Demonstrated experience in latent defect claims and commercial dispute resolution.
• Sound knowledge of construction contract law, including JCT, NEC, and public sector procurement frameworks.
• Through understanding of the Housing Grants, Construction & Regeneration Act 1996, the Scheme for Construction Contracts (England & Wales) Regulations 1998 and the Civil Procedure Rules.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, with experience working on complex legal agreements.
• Ability to communicate legal concepts clearly to both legal and non-legal audiences.
• Experience in the housing, local authority, or public sector construction environment is desirable

This is an excellent opportunity for a legal professional looking to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic, values-driven environment.

HOW TO APPLY:
Contact Pasquale Agatiello at eNL on 020 7183 8586 or email [e-mail] with your CV, or simply call for a confidential discussion. eNL will never share your CV with a third party without your express permission. As part of our candidate care process, we aim to respond to all applications in 7 days. If you have not been contacted within this timescale, your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note our advertisements use PQE/salary levels purely as a guide.

At eNL we value diversity and inclusion. We want to attract people at all levels and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates whatever your ethnicity, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristics protected by law in the jurisdictions in which we operate.