General Counsel
3 days ago
City of London
Criterion Capital are seeking an experienced General Counsel to join Criterion Capital 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 CEO, 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 General Counsel, who enjoys a challenge and who thrives in an agile and lean environment, we want to hear from you.