Litigation Solicitor / NQ Solicitor - Vehicle Hire and Damage in Newport, Wales

Department: CSG - Casualty (EL/PL / Complex Injury / Disease / Fraud / Motor Injury / Vehicle Hire and Damage)

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Newport

DAC Beachcroft is looking to appoint a Solicitor / Chartered Legal Executive Litigator to join our Vehicle Hire and Damage Team. Our Vehicle Hire and Damage team works with more than 40 insurance companies and self‑insured corporates, handling all aspects of defendant hire and vehicle damage dispute resolution and delivering a complete end‑to‑end service. We also provide clients with proactive advice and support them in shaping their own strategies. The team deals with hire and damage claims across small‑track to multi‑track matters and also assists with liability, indemnity and related losses such as personal injury and diminution.

We take a progressive and analytical approach, building a market‑leading reputation not only for litigation, but also for monitoring behaviours, identifying trends and delivering insights that help insurers shape bespoke strategies and influence wider market conduct.

Why join our Credit Hire team? Due to the size of the team and the breadth of our client base, there are significant opportunities for growth and development. Career progression may include technical development, deeper client relationship engagement or moving into leadership roles. We also actively encourage and support further professional development. Our team is busy and dedicated, but we provide genuine flexibility around when and where you work, allowing you to balance professional and personal commitments. We welcome applicants qualified in England and Wales to work on a hybrid or remote basis. Our core team locations are Birmingham and Newport, and there may be occasional expectations to attend the office for hub days or client meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• Handle your own caseload of mixed‑value litigated hire and damage claims while contributing to the wider performance and success of the team.
• Manage a busy caseload and ensure files progress proactively.
• Deliver work that meets client needs, service standards and commercial expectations.
• Raise and address any emerging risk or compliance issues appropriately.
• Collaborate with colleagues to support overall team performance.
• Maintain strong financial awareness and work efficiently to meet targets.
• Share key information and contribute to communication across the team.
• Contribute to team motivation, engagement and wellbeing; and participate in relevant performance and development discussions.
• Act as a point of contact for clients and demonstrate strong technical expertise.
• Support business development activities, such as client training, marketing events and insight sessions.
• Maintain awareness of the firm’s strategic objectives and keep technical knowledge up to date through training and appropriate reading.
• Ensure all confidential information is handled in line with the firm’s data security protocols.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive Litigator.
• Demonstrable experience in Credit Hire and Damage claims (or Motor/ similar civil litigation with hire experience).
• Experience managing a caseload involving hire or related claims.
• Strong compliance with client SLAs, protocols and KPIs.
• Highly organised, prioritising effectively and working independently while recognising when support or escalation is needed.
• Commercially aware, understanding both the legal position and when it is proportionate to pursue particular arguments.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, enabling rapport with clients, colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Resilient, confident in negotiation and open to constructive feedback.
• Keenness to learn and ability to apply new skills and knowledge effectively.
• Strong IT skills, particularly in Word and Excel.
• Alignment with the Firm’s Cultural Principles (Clear, Creative, Determined and Supportive).

Benefits

• High levels of flexibility and a great work‑life balance.
• A well‑rounded remuneration package including private medical insurance, income protection insurance and discounted gym membership, amongst many other benefits.
• Opportunities for growth and progression including professional funding.
• In‑person and remote social events.
• Opportunity to get involved in a range of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities.

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, which aligns closely to our cultural principles (Determined, Clear, Creative and Supportive). If you are excited about this role and being part of our culture, but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!