Litigation Solicitor or CILEX Lawyer | NQ-4 PQE | Clacton-on-Sea in Colchester

A varied litigation role with real responsibility, a supportive team and the opportunity to help shape a growing practice.

If you enjoy litigation, like taking ownership of your work and want to develop your experience in a friendly, close-knit firm, this could be an opportunity worth exploring.

We are working with a growing law firm in Clacton-on-Sea looking for an early-career Solicitor or CILEX Lawyer to join its team. The role has a particular focus on debt recovery and litigation, combining a busy flow of smaller claims with more substantial, process-driven work for an insurer.

You will have the opportunity to manage your own matters, work closely with the firm's leadership and develop your experience across a range of disputes. As the firm grows, there will also be scope to take on greater responsibility and contribute to the development of the wider team.

Why consider this opportunity?

• A varied litigation caseload: Work across high-volume debt recovery, more substantial claims and insurer-related litigation.

• Real responsibility: Take ownership of your matters and play an important part in the day-to-day running of the legal team.

• Direct support and guidance: Work closely with the person leading the firm, with access to practical advice and support when needed.

• Room to develop: Build your technical experience, develop your advocacy skills and potentially support the development of paralegals and apprentices.

• A growing business: Join at an interesting stage as the firm moves into larger premises and plans for further expansion.

• A genuinely friendly environment: Be part of a small, collaborative team where colleagues support one another and long-standing working relationships matter.

• A sensible approach to work-life balance: Normal working hours are 9am to 5pm, with a culture that does not expect people to work late as standard.

• Some flexibility: The role is office-based initially to support training and collaboration, but more flexible working may be considered once you are established. Part-time arrangements, including four days a week, or around school hours can also be accommodated.

The role

You will manage a varied caseload focused primarily on debt recovery and litigation, supporting the firm's existing work and helping build capacity as the business develops.

The work includes both high-volume, smaller debt recovery claims and more detailed, process-driven claims arising from insurer referrals. The insurer work is an area of anticipated growth, offering the opportunity to develop experience in more substantial and technically involved matters.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing debt recovery claims from initial instruction through to resolution.

• Preparing and progressing court claims and associated documentation.

• Handling litigation arising from insurer referrals, including more substantial claims.

• Preparing witness statements, hearing bundles and other documentation for court hearings.

• Managing case progression, deadlines and procedural requirements.

• Attending hearings and developing your advocacy experience where appropriate.

• Advising clients and providing clear, practical updates on the progress of their matters.

• Supporting the wider team, including providing guidance to paralegals and apprentices as your experience develops.

There may also be opportunities to become involved in possession proceedings, rent arrears and broader landlord and tenant or property litigation work as the firm's offering expands.

This is not a role where you will simply be processing files in isolation. The firm is looking for someone who will take an active interest in the work, contribute to the team and help maintain the high standards of service it wants to deliver.

About you

The firm is looking for either a Solicitor with around 0-4 years' PQE, or a partly/ fully qualified CILEX Lawyer.

If you are part-way through a structured CILEX qualification, you may also be suitable, particularly if you have relevant practical experience and are approaching the final stages of qualification.

You will ideally have:

• Experience in civil litigation, particularly debt recovery.

• A good understanding of preparing claims, court documents, witness statements and hearing bundles.

• Confidence managing your own workload and keeping matters progressing.

• Good drafting, communication and client care skills.

• Sound judgement and a practical, solutions-focused approach.

• The ability to work collaboratively and support colleagues when needed.

Experience of possession proceedings, landlord and tenant matters or property litigation would be an advantage, but is not essential.

The firm is interested in the quality and relevance of your experience rather than simply your qualification route. A reliable, capable person with the right attitude and a genuine interest in developing their litigation career is likely to be a good fit.

A little about the firm

This is a small, established and growing legal practice with a friendly, supportive team of around ten people across its legal and administrative functions.

The firm has a collaborative culture, with colleagues willing to help one another when workloads are busy. There is a strong emphasis on practical contribution, good working relationships and creating an environment where people enjoy coming to work.

The business is now moving into larger premises to accommodate its plans for growth. You would be joining at an interesting point in that development, with the opportunity to become an important part of the team as it expands.

The firm also works alongside a connected consultancy business, giving it an interesting commercial focus and a growing portfolio of work.

The practical details

• Location: Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

• Experience: Ideally NQ-4 PQE, although relevant CILEX qualification routes will be considered

• Working pattern: Full-time, or four days a week or other part-time arrangements happilyconsidered

• Office working: Office-based initially, with potential for greater flexibility once established

• Salary: Competitive, anticipated in the region of £40,000-£65,000 depending on experience and qualification

• Hours: Normally 9am-5pm

• Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays, with the firm also closing between Christmas and New Year in addition

Additional benefits include:

• Private Health Care.

• Free on-site parking.

• Pension.

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