About this role
The Legal Counsel is responsible for providing practical, commercially focused legal advice and support to United Developers and its affiliated entities. The role will assist in managing the company’s legal affairs, reviewing and drafting contracts, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, mitigating legal risks, and supporting business operations across real estate development, property management, retail, leasing, hospitality, entertainment, procurement, and corporate functions.
The Legal Counsel will work closely with internal departments, external legal advisers, government authorities, tenants, contractors, consultants, suppliers, and other stakeholders to protect the company’s legal and commercial interests.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Legal Advisory and Risk Management
• Provide timely and practical legal advice to management and departments on corporate, commercial, real estate, leasing, employment, procurement, construction, and operational matters.
• Identify potential legal risks associated with business activities and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
• Interpret applicable laws, regulations, contractual obligations, and internal policies.
• Advise management on the legal implications of proposed business decisions, projects, transactions, and operational initiatives.
• Monitor changes in applicable laws and regulations and communicate relevant updates to stakeholders.
• Advise on emerging legal and contractual requirements, including ESG and sustainability matters, where relevant to the Group.
• Operate within the Group’s Delegation of Authority, escalating to the Chief Executive Officer any matter that exceeds defined value, risk, or reputational thresholds.
Contract Drafting and Review
• Draft, review, negotiate, and amend a wide range of commercial agreements, including:
• Lease and tenancy agreements
• Concession and retail agreements
• Service and maintenance agreements
• Supply and procurement contracts
• Consultancy agreements
• Construction and fit-out agreements
• Non-disclosure agreements
• Memoranda of understanding
• Sponsorship and marketing agreements
• Event and entertainment agreements
• Technology and software agreements
• Employment-related documents
• Hotel management, franchise, and brand-licensing agreements
• Insurance policies, renewals, and claims documentation
• Ensure that contracts adequately protect the company’s commercial and legal interests.
• Maintain standard legal templates and recommend updates based on business requirements and legal developments.
• Lead or support departments in contract negotiations and advise on contractual obligations, liabilities, indemnities, warranties, termination rights, and dispute-resolution provisions.
Corporate and Governance Support
• Advise on material corporate, shareholder and structural matters affecting the Group and its entities.
• Manage corporate governance matters, including the preparation and review of board resolutions, shareholder resolutions, powers of attorney, minutes, and related corporate documents.
• Maintain corporate records, licenses, registrations, constitutional documents, and authorized signatory records.
• Manage the legal aspects of the incorporation, restructuring, amendment, or closure of group entities, branches, and subsidiaries.
• Coordinate with relevant authorities and external service providers regarding corporate filings and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with internal approval authorities and corporate governance procedures.
• Manage the registration, renewal, protection, and enforcement of the Group’s trademarks, trade names, domain names, and other intellectual property.
Real Estate and Leasing
• Provide legal support on real estate development, property management, mall operations, leasing, licensing, and tenant-related matters.
• Review and negotiate lease agreements, renewals, amendments, settlement agreements, surrender agreements, and related documentation.
• Advise the Leasing, Mall Management, Finance, Operations, and Facilities Management teams on tenant defaults, outstanding payments, breaches, handover requirements, fit-out matters, and termination procedures.
• Manage land, property, title, ownership, registration, and development-related documentation where applicable.
• Lead the resolution of landlord-tenant disputes and other property-related matters.
Disputes and Litigation Management
• Manage and monitor legal disputes, claims, arbitration proceedings, court cases, and settlement discussions.
• Select, instruct, and manage external lawyers, including scope of work, fee arrangements, and performance, and provide them with the documentation, instructions, and factual background required.
• Review legal notices, demand letters, settlement proposals, pleadings, and correspondence.
• Maintain an updated register of legal cases, claims, deadlines, hearings, and potential liabilities.
• Advise management on the merits, risks, costs, and recommended strategy for disputes.
• Manage public-liability, personal-injury, and property-damage claims arising from mall, hotel, and entertainment operations, working with Insurance and Risk to preserve coverage and protect evidence.
• Drive the recovery of outstanding amounts and enforcement of contractual rights.
Regulatory Compliance
• Advise on and monitor compliance with applicable Qatari laws, regulations, licenses, permits, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and review company policies, procedures, codes of conduct, and compliance frameworks.
• Provide guidance on anti-bribery, anti-fraud, conflict-of-interest, data protection, confidentiality, competition, and ethical business requirements.
• Manage the Group’s response to regulatory inspections, investigations, enquiries, and document requests.
• Coordinate with government authorities and regulatory bodies as required.
• Advise on personal data protection obligations, including Law No. 13 of 2016 on Personal Data Privacy Protection, in respect of guest, tenant, customer, and employee data.
• Support Human Resources on Qatar Labour Law compliance, including employment contracts, end-of-service entitlements, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and Wage Protection System requirements.
Digital, Data Protection
• Provide legal support for digital initiatives and customer-facing platforms, including the preparation and review of application terms and conditions, privacy notices, consents, disclaimers and personal data requirements.
Legal Administration
• Maintain an organized contract-management and legal-document filing system.
• Track contract expiry dates, renewal dates, notice periods, legal obligations, and litigation deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure the secure handling of sensitive legal and corporate information.
• Prepare legal reports, case summaries, contract status reports, risk assessments, and management updates.
• Prepare and monitor the Legal Department’s budget and external legal expenditure.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized university.
• Admission to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction is required.
• A postgraduate qualification or master’s degree in commercial, corporate, construction, or real estate law would be an advantage.
• Minimum of seven years of relevant post-qualification legal experience.
• Experience gained within a recognized law firm, property developer, real estate organization, retail mall, hospitality company, or diversified corporate group is preferred.
• Previous legal experience in Qatar or the GCC is highly desirable.
• Sound knowledge of commercial contracts, corporate law, real estate, leasing, employment law, and dispute management.
• Familiarity with Qatari laws, regulations, courts, government authorities, and business practices is an advantage.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Professional working proficiency in Arabic, including the ability to review Arabic-language contracts, notices, and official correspondence, is strongly preferred.
Skills and Competencies:
• Sound commercial judgement, with the ability to give clear, actionable advice at pace and to say what the recommended course of action is, not only what the risks are.
• Ability to weigh legal risk against commercial objectives and explain that trade-off to non-legal stakeholders at Board and Executive level.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills, with demonstrable experience negotiating directly with counterparties.
• Personal integrity and independence of mind, with the confidence to challenge proposals put forward by senior management.
• Ability to lead a small team and to prioritise a high volume of matters across multiple business lines and legal entities.