At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage diverse property litigation cases and provide expert guidance to clients.
- Company: Join Duncan Lewis, a top-tier law firm in the heart of London.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive, diverse team committed to excellence and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in complex legal disputes while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Must have a valid Practising Certificate and strong client care skills.
Role: Property Litigation Solicitor
Duncan Lewis Solicitors is seeking a talented and driven Property Litigation Solicitor to join our highly regarded Litigation Department. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your career with one of the UK's leading law firms, recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a top-tier practice and awarded Law Firm of the Year at both the 2024 LexisNexis Awards and the 2023 Modern Law Awards.
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in the City of London, Duncan Lewis Solicitors is a national, award-winning, paperless law firm with over 500 professionals nationwide. Our ethos is simple: "We give people a voice."
Our Litigation Department is recommended by The Legal 500 UK for its expertise in Commercial Litigation, Professional Negligence, Contentious Probate, and General Litigation. Acting for individuals, businesses, charities, and organisations, the team handles a wide range of complex disputes, including contract claims, civil fraud, insolvency, contentious probate, property disputes, and cross-border litigation.
The department regularly represents clients in the High Court and Court of Appeal, providing strategic advice, effective dispute resolution, and robust representation. This is an excellent opportunity to work on high-quality and complex litigation matters alongside highly experienced practitioners.
Joining Duncan Lewis means becoming part of a diverse, supportive and forward-thinking organisation committed to professional development, innovation and delivering exceptional client service.
Duties and responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Report directly to the Department Director.
- Manage a varied litigation caseload, providing technical expertise and guidance where appropriate.
- Maintain a professional and proactive approach, delivering excellent client care and understanding clients' needs.
- Take client instructions, prepare cases, and manage correspondence.
- Maintain accurate time recording and file management procedures.
- Implement recommendations arising from file reviews promptly and effectively.
- Ensure compliance with departmental and regulatory requirements.
Key tasks include:
- Boundary disputes– resolving disagreements between neighbours about property lines.
- Landlord and tenant issues– dealing with rent arrears, lease breaches, eviction proceedings, and lease renewals.
- Rights of way and easements– advising on access rights and usage of land.
- Nuisance and trespass claims– acting where someone's use of their property interferes with another's.
- Disputes over property ownership– handling cases like co-ownership disagreements or claims under trusts.
- Development issues– disputes related to property development, including restrictive covenants and planning.
- Disrepair– acting for landlord and tenant
- Mortgage Repossessions
- Commercial property matters- lease related matters - dilapidations, arrears of rents , lease forfeiture
Experience and qualifications
- Must have a clean, valid Practising Certificate at the time of applying
- Committed team player and adapt well to new challenges
- Professional with a pro-active approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with client matters in a sensitive manner and resolve complicated practicalities
- Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business
- Excellent analytical and organizational skills
- Ability to use own initiative and sound judgment
- Working knowledge of the publicly funded Litigation work and have the ability to service privately funded cases
- Have extensive experience in dealing with Probate Litigation related work
- Experience in own advocacy is an advantage
- Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills
Benefits
At Duncan Lewis Solicitors, we are committed to supporting our employees through a range of professional, financial, and wellbeing benefits, including:
- Competitive remuneration package.
- Clear salary review and career progression opportunities.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
- 22 days' annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus birthday leave.
- Company pension scheme.
- Ongoing training, professional development, and access to e-learning resources.
- Payment of practising certificate renewal fees and support for relevant professional accreditations (subject to eligibility).
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and wellbeing support, including Mental Health First Aiders.
- Company Medical Cash Plan (subject to eligibility).
- Employee referral scheme and eyesight test vouchers.
- Full payment of employment-related DBS checks.
- A supportive and collaborative working environment with opportunities to help shape and grow our family mediation services.
Some benefits are subject to eligibility criteria and company terms and conditions.
Company culture
At Duncan Lewis Solicitors, we are passionate about creating an environment where talented professionals can thrive. We are proud of our diverse and inclusive workforce and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees.
Our long-standing Investors in People Gold Standard accreditation reflects our commitment to employee development, while our Lexcel, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 certifications demonstrate our dedication to excellence, innovation and security.
We invest heavily in the growth of our people through ongoing training, mentoring, clear progression pathways and opportunities to gain industry recognition. Whether you are looking to deepen your expertise, develop leadership skills or advance your career within a nationally recognised law firm, Duncan Lewis provides the platform to help you succeed.
Join a firm where your expertise is valued, your development is supported, and your work makes a genuine difference to the lives of clients across the UK.
Property Litigation Solicitor (x3) - City of London employer: Duncan Lewis Solictors
Duncan Lewis Solicitors is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London, where innovation meets legal expertise. With a strong commitment to employee growth and development, we provide extensive training opportunities and embrace a hybrid-working model that promotes work-life balance. Our inclusive culture, recognised by multiple awards, ensures that every team member feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the field of law.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Property Litigation Solicitor (x3) - City of London
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We think you need these skills to ace Property Litigation Solicitor (x3) - City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Duncan Lewis Solictors, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
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Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Duncan Lewis Solictors and the specific role of Property Litigation Solicitor (x3) - City of London. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Duncan Lewis Solictors’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Duncan Lewis Solictors
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
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In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Duncan Lewis Solictors.