Legal Counsel Jobs in London
London is one of the world’s top centres for business. From the financial powerhouses of the City and Canary Wharf to the media and creative industries of Soho and the corporate companies in Westminster, London is a key location for businesses of all sizes that require their own experienced in-house legal counsel.
Legal counsel jobs require you to have post qualification experience as a solicitor and a proven knowledge and understanding of commercial and corporate business and law. General counsel jobs are highly competitive, so previous in-house experience is often necessary to gain the business insights and expertise required for the role.
Over a million private sector businesses are registered in London, the highest of any region in the UK. Many large corporations have in-house legal departments that require experienced general counsel to lead the legal team and advise the board members. Smaller businesses and regional offices may also employ legal counsel as a sole advisor on legal matters. As a highly trained and experienced legal professional, the abundance of businesses across a wide range of sectors makes London an ideal option for finding legal counsel and general counsel jobs.
What is the Average Salary for a Legal Counsel in London?
In 2023, the average salary for legal counsel jobs in London is £93,600 per annum1. The high responsibility of the senior position of general counsel comes with an average London salary of £206,2002. These figures can vary widely, the higher salaries usually being for legal counsel jobs with larger national and international companies.
Where is the best place for a Legal Counsel to live in London?
The higher salaries earned by legal and general counsels allow for a comfortable standard of living in London despite the greater than average costs. According to the UK House Price Index (HPI) for 20233, the average price of a house in London is just over a million pounds for a detached property, £685,000 for a semi-detached house and £435,800 for a flat. Many factors will affect housing prices, including the borough and proximity to the city centre. Council tax rates in the city centre are surprisingly low. A Band E property in Kensington is £1,070 a year, while a Band E property further out in Kingston upon Thames is £2,790.
When it comes to choosing where to live, London has a vast range of different neighbourhoods. If you are looking for somewhere lively with lots going on, then the vibrant areas of Shoreditch, Campden or Peckham are good choices. For a quieter area with more green spaces, Richmond, Chiswick and Hampstead are great options. These locations are especially ideal for families while still having easy access into London.
Whether for work or pleasure, public transport is the best way to get around London. The wide choice of frequent bus, underground, train and tram services will get you wherever you need to go.
For the most flexible travel option, a Travelcard will allow you unlimited travel on all forms of transport throughout the city and the Greater London region. A zone 1 Travelcard is £156 a month, up to £285 a month for travel across zones 1-6.
What to do after work in London
As well as being a renowned business centre, London is a vibrant city full of history and culture and sites of particular interest to the legal profession are no exception. The City of London is where you will find the Inns of Court, the Royal Courts of Justice and the Old Bailey.
Living and working in this vibrant, multicultural city means there will always be something new to experience. Drinks after work in a roof top bar, last minute tickets at a West End theatre, a relaxing break in one of the many parks or joining the crowds for some retail therapy in the many famous shopping streets in the capital. London of course has some of top restaurants in the country and an amazingly diverse range of eateries to suit everyone and anyone.
Legal Counsel Job Vacancies in London
As an epicentre for business, with many of the biggest companies in the world having a presence here, London is an ideal location to look for legal counsel and general counsel jobs. These roles can be found across a wide range of industries including finance, tech, media, construction, real estate, energy and many more. Begin your search for a legal counsel job in London here.
How Can Chadwick Nott Help?
Chadwick Nott has been established in London since 1996, and over the decades we have formed long-standing relationships with law firms and businesses across the capital. Our team of experienced consultants can provide advice and support in all aspects of your search for a legal counsel job that best fits your qualifications, knowledge and experience. Placements we have secured include Senior Risk Counsel in a well-known bank, Head of Conflicts Resolution for a global insurance company and Head of Legal for a top energy company. Our strong connections with a wide range of companies and sectors means we are well placed to help find you an in-house position for the next step in your legal career.
Get in touch with one of our associates to discuss your options for a legal counsel job in London.
References
- Glassdoor. 2023. Legal Counsel Salaries in London. [Online]. [September 2023]. Available from: https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/legal-counsel-salary-SRCH_IM1035_KO0,13.htm
- Glassdoor. 2023. General Counsel Salaries in London. [Online]. [September 2023]. Available from: https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/general-counsel-salary-SRCH_IM1035_KO0,15.htm?clickSource=searchBtn
- HM Land Registry. 2023. UK House Price Index for March 2023. [Online]. [11 July 2023]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-house-price-index-for-march-2023