Junior Legal Counsel

TL;DR

Junior Legal Counsel (Higher Education): Providing essential legal support in managing litigation matters including contractual disputes, student-related claims, and regulatory compliance with an accent on civil litigation processes in England and Wales. Focus on assisting in case preparation, document drafting, legal research, regulatory support, and risk identification.

Location: Hybrid (Milton Keynes office, expected attendance twice per week)

Salary: £38,784 to £46,049

Company

UK’s largest university and world leader in flexible part-time education combining access to higher education with research excellence.

What you will do

• Assist in preparation and management of litigation and dispute resolution cases, including drafting correspondence and liaising with legal representatives.
• Draft legal documents such as statements of case, witness statements, and court forms under supervision.
• Maintain case files, track deadlines, and ensure document control.
• Conduct legal research and provide summaries relevant to higher education and regulatory landscape.
• Support on regulatory matters involving bodies like OIA, CMA, and OfS.
• Act as point of contact for internal clients and external solicitors.
• Identify legal risks and support compliance with data protection and FOI requests.
• Contribute to training materials on litigation matters.

Requirements

• Proven experience in litigation or disputes (in-house or private practice)
• Sound understanding of civil litigation process in England and Wales, including pre-action protocols and court procedures
• Strong legal research and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for drafting legal documentation
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Competency with legal case management systems and Microsoft Office

Nice to have

• Experience in higher education or public sector
• Familiarity with judicial review or administrative law
• Knowledge of student complaints procedures or university regulatory frameworks (OIA, OfS)
• Legal qualification (Law Degree, LPC, NALP, CILEX or equivalent)

Culture & Benefits

• Range of benefits recognising great work and supporting work-life balance
• Flexible working discussions including job share, part-time, compressed hours
• Hybrid working from home and Milton Keynes office
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and reasonable adjustments

Hiring process

• Submit CV and personal statement (up to 1000 words) addressing skills and experience
• Interviews week commencing 27 April 2026
• Applications reviewed ongoing, may close early