BAE Systems

Counsel – Litigation, Arbitration & Investigations

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Job Title\: Counsel – Litigation, Arbitration & Investigations

Location\: Stirling Square; London. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Referral Bonus\: £1,000

Grade\: GG13

You’re expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your line manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.

We know there may be exceptional individual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your line manager.

If you don’t feel you can talk to your line manager, you can contact your HRBP.

PLEASE NOTE\: Should you be invited for interview; you acknowledge that the Recruitment team will contact you and your line manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

Job Description\:

We are seeking an experienced Counsel – Litigation, Arbitration & Investigations to join our Head Office legal team. This is a key role responsible for managing complex disputes, providing expert legal advice, and supporting the development of investigations capabilities across the business. You will work closely with senior stakeholders, delivering pragmatic, commercially focused guidance on high-value and sensitive legal matters while contributing to the broader global legal community.

Core duties\:

  • Manage disputes on behalf of the business
  • Support the development and implementation of investigations capabilities across the organisation
  • Identify legal risks and implement effective mitigation strategies
  • Advise on dispute avoidance and negotiate dispute settlements, pre- and post-proceedings
  • Oversee & manage external legal advisers to ensure high-quality, cost-effective outcomes
  • Provide specialist advice on English law, including High Court litigation and international arbitration
  • Deliver clear, practical legal guidance in straightforward language
  • Contribute to knowledge sharing and deliver training on dispute resolution topics
  • Promote high standards of legal delivery, focusing on accuracy, clarity, and commerciality
  • Willingness to travel and attend in-person meetings in the UK and internationally

Essential Skills\:

  • Qualified solicitor or barrister in England & Wales
  • Experience in dispute resolution, including High Court litigation and international arbitration
  • Background in a leading international law firm and/or relevant in-house experience
  • Proven ability to assess and manage legal risk in complex environments
  • Commercially focused with a client-oriented service-driven approach
  • Sound judgement and decision-making capability
  • Ability to communicate complex legal matters clearly, concisely, and effectively
  • Comfortable taking end-to-end ownership of matters and being proactive
  • Works collaboratively, with a solutions-focused mindset, and builds internal networks

The Legal Team\:

You will join a collaborative and high-performing Head Office litigation, arbitration and investigations team, reporting to the Head of Investigations & Dispute Resolution. The team partners closely with stakeholders across the business, providing expert support on complex and strategic legal matters. As a subject matter expert, you will play a key role in shaping legal strategy, building relationships, and contributing to a supportive, forward-thinking legal function.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive\:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, who are BAE Systems employees and have been in their current role for 12 months or longer.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date\: 10th July 2026