In-House Solicitor / Legal Counsel (Real Estate & Property)

Kings Oak Capital

We are seeking an experienced In-House Solicitor / Legal Counsel to oversee and manage all legal matters across our real estate investment, construction, property development, and property management operations. The role will support the business end-to-end, ensuring robust legal governance, risk management, and smooth execution of transactions.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone comfortable operating across property, commercial, employment, and regulatory law in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Property Transactions & Finance:

Manage and coordinate all legal work for acquisitions, disposals, development sites and refinances

Review, negotiate, and advise on contracts, enquiries, undertakings, CPs, TR1s, leases, deeds, guarantees, warranties, title matters and lender requirements

Liaise with external solicitors, surveyors, lenders, brokers, valuers, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely completion

Support funding structures involving external funders, SPVs, and group entities

2. Leases, Tenancies, Landlord/Tenant Law & Occupier Matters:

Draft, review, advise on and negotiate ASTs, commercial leases, FRI leases, variations, assignments, surrenders, tenancy agreements, licences, and renewals

Advise the business on Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 including security of tenure, lease renewals, opposition grounds, and contracting-out procedures

Ensure full compliance with current and upcoming UK housing legislation including Renters Reform and changes to possession, eviction, notice procedures and tenant protections

Handle rent arrears, serve statutory demands, Section 8/21 notices, and manage possession processes with third-party agents where required

Manager and advise on tenant disputes, dilapidations, forfeiture advice, tribunal or court matters and enforcement actions

3. Block Management, Service Charges & Compliance:

Oversee legal aspects of block management including service charge disputes, arrears recovery, Section 20 consultations, major works compliance, company secretarial compliance, and regulatory requirements

Support with tribunal applications and responses, leaseholder challenges and first-tier tribunal matters where required

Advise on managing agents’ obligations, RMCs, RTMs, and freehold/leasehold structures

4. Corporate, Commercial & Governance:

Prepare and review shareholder agreements, intercompany agreements, development agreements, commercial contracts, JVs, NDAs and contract documentation

Ensure the business maintains strong legal compliance and risk controls across all entities

5. Construction & Development:

Review construction contracts, warranties, collateral warranties, bonds, CDM compliance, and consultant appointments

Support with variations, extensions of time, claims, dispute resolution and contractor negotiations

6. Employment Law & HR Support

Draft, review and maintain employment contracts, consultancy agreements and self-employed contractor agreements, policies, handbooks and internal HR documentation

Advise on UK employment and HR law matters including hiring, termination, redundancy, disciplinaries, grievances, IR35 considerations and employment status risk

Support directors and management with day-to-day HR legal queries and risk mitigation

What We’re Looking For

Qualified solicitor (UK) with strong experience in property, real estate, or commercial law

Ability to manage a high-volume, varied caseload across multiple group companies

Commercially minded, proactive, solutions-focused, and comfortable working in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment

Strong communication and drafting skills with the ability to work independently

Salary & Benefits

Circa up to £70k (depending on experience)

Pension scheme

On-site parking

Discretionary performance-related bonus