At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in handling commercial litigation and mentor junior lawyers.
- Company: Dynamic credit management and dispute resolution firm with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a collaborative and innovative setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in commercial disputes while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with experience in litigation and team supervision.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 β¬ per year.
Our client is part of a group of companies, providing credit management and dispute resolution services to UK and international businesses. They are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The wider Group operates to established governance, data protection and information security standards, including ISO-accredited frameworks.
The postholder will provide day-to-day support and supervision to the team in-office and will also provide oversight and input to matters resourced elsewhere.
Role SummaryThis is a senior, hands-on litigation role for an experienced commercial disputes solicitor who can run a personal caseload with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for supervision, mentoring, and quality control across the team. The practice is predominantly Claimant-side (with some Defendant instructions) and includes:
- commercial debt recovery and wider contractual/commercial disputes;
- insolvency-related litigation;
- institutional-client dispute work;
- opportunity to support and help develop a growing real estate litigation offering.
- Run a personal caseload across commercial debt recovery and wider commercial disputes, from pre-action through to trial/enforcement where applicable.
- Conduct insolvency-linked litigation and strategy, including (where appropriate) statutory demands, winding-up/bankruptcy processes, contested applications, and related enforcement steps.
- Draft, review and settle statements of case, applications, witness statements, and other litigation documents to a consistently high standard.
- Drive procedural compliance and hearing readiness, including disclosure, evidence, schedules, trial bundles, and instructions to counsel.
- Provide clear, commercially focused advice on prospects, strategy, costs risk, settlement options, and enforcement outcomes.
- Provide day-to-day supervision and mentoring to junior lawyers.
- Allocate and manage workstreams appropriately, ensuring deadlines are met and output is to standard.
- Maintain effective file oversight and quality control, including review of key pleadings/advice, risk issues, and client communications.
- Contribute to internal know-how, precedents, training, and continuous improvement in litigation processes and standards.
- Act as a senior point of contact for clients and internal stakeholders, ensuring timely updates and management of expectations.
- Liaise effectively with counsel, experts, and counterparties; manage negotiations and settlement discussions where appropriate.
- Support the Head of Department with matter planning, resourcing, and escalation of material risks.
- Maintain excellent file hygiene, time recording (where applicable), and matter management in accordance with SRA obligations and internal policies.
- Ensure appropriate handling of confidentiality, conflicts, AML/CTF considerations (where engaged), data protection requirements, and information security standards.
- Use the firms case management and automation tools appropriately to drive consistency and efficiency.
- Solicitor qualified in England and Wales with a current practising certificate.
- Proven ability to run litigated matters with minimal supervision, including ownership of strategy, pleadings, evidence, and case management.
- Strong working knowledge of CPR, costs risk, settlement tactics, enforcement options, and litigation project management.
- Experience supervising, mentoring, or training junior fee earners (or clear capability and appetite to do so).
- Experience of insolvency-related litigation and recovery strategy.
- Experience acting for institutional or volume-commercial clients, with disciplined reporting and risk management.
- Exposure to real estate litigation (beneficial but not required).
- Familiarity with Clio and workflow/automation tools (Legl and similar), with a pragmatic approach to legal tech.
- Excellent drafting and advocacy preparation skills; confident with complex pleadings and evidence.
- Strong judgement on proportionality, costs, and settlement strategy.
- Calm handling of urgent and time-sensitive disputes.
- Clear communication style, suited to senior client and stakeholder management.
- High professional integrity with a demonstrable commitment to SRA-aligned conduct, confidentiality, and governance.
- Organised, accountable, and comfortable setting standards for others.
- Matters progressed efficiently with strong procedural compliance and clear, recorded decision-making.
- High-quality drafting with minimal rework; consistent court-ready output.
- Improved capability and confidence of juniors through active supervision and feedback.
- Predictable client service: timely updates, clear advice, and controlled costs risk.
Commercial Litigation Solicitor in Dartford employer: DRH Support Services
Our client is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Maidstone where collaboration and professional growth are at the forefront. With a strong commitment to employee development, the company provides ample opportunities for mentoring and leadership within a supportive team culture, ensuring that every solicitor can thrive in their role while contributing to meaningful client outcomes. The firm also adheres to high governance and data protection standards, making it a secure and reputable place to advance your legal career.
StudySmarter Expert Adviceπ€«
We think this is how you could land Commercial Litigation Solicitor in Dartford
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, and local meet-ups to connect with other professionals in commercial litigation. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
β¨Tip Number 2
Get your LinkedIn game on point! Make sure your profile is up-to-date and showcases your skills in commercial disputes and litigation. Engage with relevant content and connect with people in your field to increase your visibility.
β¨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills! Mock interviews with friends or mentors can help you articulate your experience and approach to handling complex cases. Be ready to discuss your strategies for managing a caseload and mentoring juniors.
β¨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Tailor your application to highlight your experience in commercial debt recovery and your leadership skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Litigation Solicitor in Dartford
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Commercial Litigation Solicitor role. Highlight your relevant experience in commercial disputes and any leadership roles you've held, as we want to see how you fit into our team.
Showcase Your Skills:Donβt just list your qualifications; demonstrate your skills in drafting, case management, and client communication. Weβre looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so give us examples of your past successes!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read, so make sure your key points stand out and are backed up with solid examples.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itβs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you donβt miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at DRH Support Services
β¨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of commercial litigation, especially around debt recovery and insolvency-related matters. Familiarise yourself with the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in past cases.
β¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves supervising and mentoring junior lawyers, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led a team or managed projects. Highlight your approach to quality control and how you ensure high standards are met.
β¨Client Management is Key
Demonstrate your ability to manage client expectations and maintain strong relationships. Be ready to discuss how you've handled negotiations and settlement discussions in the past, showcasing your clear communication style.
β¨Be Tech-Savvy
Familiarity with case management tools like Clio can set you apart. If you have experience with legal tech or automation tools, mention it! Discuss how you've used technology to improve efficiency and consistency in your work.