Defence Litigation Solicitor (Hybrid Role)

A leading UK law firm that represents the insurance sector is recruiting for an ambitious defence litigation Solicitor, at a mid to senior level, to deal with higher value claims in the High Court. This is a hybrid role.

In this role you form part of the Belfast team and will be a Senior Solicitor handling high value High Court cases, which will include Subrogated Recoveries, as well as Property, Risks and Coverage (PRC) claims. Our client is the leading provider of legal and claims solutions to insurers, businesses and other suppliers to the insurance sector. The Northern Ireland practice has grown year on year since inception in the local market 2019 and now has over 50 staff solely dedicated to defendant insurance litigation services. The strong and well-respected reputation of our experienced team has been recognised in the Legal 500 and Chambers Directories.

The PRC team resolve the following types of claims, working closely with insurers, insureds, loss adjusters and brokers, calling upon specialist experts:

• Property damage
• Recoveries
• Policy advice, coverage and indemnity disputes
• Fraud
• Subsidence and geotechnical
• Construction and engineering
• Farming & agriculture
• Product liability
• Household and commercial

Experience of complex indemnity and liability issues is preferred and excellent attention to detail is essential. Experience of Casualty claims (Employers Liability and Public Liability) is also desired.

As the defence litigation solicitor on the PRC team, as well as handling your own caseload, you will be responsible for supervising more junior colleagues, providing advice and guidance and be required to provide feedback to them. Responsibilities include:

• Handling your own caseload of claims predominantly in the High Court
• Communicating with sophisticated insurer clients, dealing with their queries and updating them as the matter progresses
• Forensic analysis of voluminous quantum evidence, preparing chronologies, identifying anomalies and other relevant information across various sources and categories of evidence
• Using your existing knowledge of complex injury symptomology to identify relevant issues within medical records in order to instruct medical experts, drawing key issues to their attention
• Critical analysis of sources of liability evidence and identifying any gaps
• Drafting concise technical advice on all aspects of claim handling to include advice on indemnity, liability, quantum and causation issues
• Proactively identifying next steps required on matter, taking action as agreed
• Interviewing witnesses and drafting statements
• Liaising with parties involved in claims including the insured, insurer, witnesses etc.
• Drafting pleadings and applications
• Instructing counsel and attending conferences, joint consultations, mediations both remotely and in person
• Attend court in person or by telephone, attend trials, settlement conferences etc as required
• Delivery of agreed performance targets and quality standards
• Delegate assigned tasks for a Legal Assistant and/or Paralegal and be fully engaged in their development in terms of technical ability and achievement of objectives
• Maintaining case management systems with up to date management information for clients
• To ensure compliance with the LSNI regulations
• Hands on supervision and development of more junior team members
• Participation in Business Development activities

What You Need To Succeed:

• Qualified solicitor or proven relevant legal experience is essential
• Ideally already operating at Associate level
• Experience of indemnity, liability and quantum essential
• Experience of cases involving complex medical issues preferred
• Critical thinking and quantum analysis experience required
• Good telephone advocacy skills
• Positive, confident and enthusiastic
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills including the ability to compose professional written communications
• Good advocacy skills
• Excellent inter-personal and client care skills
• Understanding of case law and litigation practice and process, and Court Practice Rules
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads, keep to deadlines and work under pressure
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail
• Ability to weigh facts, apply the law and make decisions
• Ability to anticipate problems and identify solutions
• Driven to achieve to take development opportunities when they arise with a positive attitude
• Calm under pressure with the ability to re-prioritise and delegate effectively when required
• Confidence to take initiative to innovate and adapt to changing situations
• Confidence to seek advice and guidance when dealing with new tasks
• Ability to follow instruction and with attention to detail and to give clear instruction, direction and guidance to more junior members of the team
• Ability to recognise when sensitivity and tact are required

What You'll Receive In Return:

• Great team ethos within the Northern Ireland office, encouraging personal development and wellbeing
• Hybrid working, a relaxed dress code and opportunities for flexible working hours
• Friendly, supportive team with opportunities to become part of the social committee, participate in charity events and to get involved in client development initiatives
• Agile working policy
• Company Incentive Plan
• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
• Family Cover Private Medical Insurance (Bupa) - will automatically be at single cover level but can opt into family option within first month of joining
• Simply Health Care Cash Plan
• WeCare 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing
• Death in Service
• Critical Illness Cover
• PHI/Income Protection (Private health insurance)
• Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer
• Cycle to Work Scheme*
• Tech Scheme*
• Season Ticket Loan*
• Gym Flex*
• Access to Online Discount Sites
• Discounted Gourmet Society Membership
• Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide
• Discounts at local retail outlets

* after successfully completing probation

Working Hours: 35 hours per week. Monday Friday 9am 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch. Primary location for this role is Belfast Office.

Applying For Your New Role: Does this position sound of interest? Please submit your CV confidentially and we will be in touch shortly to discuss the opportunity in further detail. Or, if you prefer to chat about the role confidentially before submitting a CV, please get in touch via the contact details provided.