Solicitor – Defence Litigation (NQ – 4 Years’ PQE)
Location: Belfast (Hybrid) Salary: £36,000 – £50,000 + Excellent Benefits
The Opportunity
Looking to build your career in Defence Litigation with a firm that offers high-quality work, excellent mentoring and genuine opportunities for progression?
We’re recruiting on behalf of a well-established and growing law firm seeking a Solicitor (NQ-4 years’ PQE) to join its expanding Defence Litigation team in Belfast.
Working alongside experienced litigators, you’ll advise leading insurers and self-insured commercial organisations across a broad range of complex litigation matters. This is an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to challenging, high-quality work while developing your technical expertise and advocacy skills within a collaborative and supportive environment.
Whether you’re newly qualified or have already built experience in personal injury litigation, you’ll be joining a team that is committed to investing in your development and supporting your long-term career progression.
The Role
You’ll manage your own caseload while working closely with experienced Partners and senior solicitors on a wide variety of defence litigation matters.
The team acts on behalf of insurers and commercial organisations across a broad range of claims, including:
- Motor claims
- Employers’ Liability claims
- Public Liability claims
- Disease litigation
- Complex personal injury matters
You’ll have regular client contact, advocacy opportunities and the chance to work on technically interesting cases within a fast-paced and rewarding practice.
Key Responsibilities
As part of the team, you will:
- Manage and assist with a varied caseload of defence litigation matters.
- Act on behalf of insurance companies and self-insured commercial organisations.
- Conduct investigations with policyholders and witnesses, including taking witness statements.
- Review and analyse medical records, expert reports and supporting evidence.
- Identify evidential requirements and obtain documentation from Plaintiff representatives.
- Draft legal documents, client advice, reports and correspondence.
- Ensure compliance with client-specific Service Level Agreements (SLAs), reporting obligations and reserving requirements.
- Manage files from initial instruction through to resolution.
- Attend Court Reviews, interlocutory hearings, pre-trial meetings and Court hearings.
- Work closely with Partners to support existing client relationships and contribute to business development initiatives.
- Assist with networking, marketing activities and the continued growth of the practice.
- Deliver an exceptional standard of client service at all times.
What We’re Looking For
We’re keen to speak with motivated solicitors who enjoy working as part of a collaborative team and are looking to build a successful career in Defence Litigation.
Ideally, you’ll have:
- Qualified Solicitor (Newly Qualified up to 4 years’ PQE).
- Experience in personal injury litigation, either during training or post-qualification.
- Previous experience handling defence insurance claims would be advantageous but is not essential.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organisational and case management abilities.
- A proactive, commercially aware and client-focused approach.
- The ability to thrive within a fast-paced environment.
- A genuine interest in developing technical expertise across a broad range of litigation matters.
- A commitment to delivering exceptional client service while meeting reporting requirements and deadlines.
What’s on Offer
- Salary of £36,000-£50,000, depending on experience.
- Hybrid working (2 days in the office, 3 days working from home).
- Exposure to high-quality defence litigation work.
- Ongoing mentoring and support from experienced Partners and senior solicitors.
- Excellent training and professional development opportunities.
- Clear opportunities for career progression.
- A collaborative and supportive team culture.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
Why Apply?
This is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious solicitor looking to establish or further develop a career in Defence Litigation.
You’ll gain hands-on experience across a broad range of complex matters, work closely with experienced litigators, develop your advocacy skills and enjoy genuine opportunities for long-term progression within a respected and growing team.
If you’re looking for a role that offers quality work, excellent support and the opportunity to build a successful long-term career, we’d love to hear from you.
To find out more or arrange a confidential discussion, apply via the link or contact Ciaran Gallagher at VANRATH today.
Skills:Solicitor Litigation Defence
WHJS1_NI
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