Litigation Solicitor (September 2026 Trainees Considered)

A leading UK law firm that continues to grow in Northern Ireland is seeking a litigation solicitor for their Belfast office. This excellent law firm is recognised in the Legal 500 and Chamber Directories and offers employees a people-centric culture with superb benefits such as BUPA private medical insurance, critical illness cover, hybrid and flexible working.

The firm specialises in defence litigation working in partnership with insurance companies.

You will join the Property, Risks and Coverage team who work closely with insurers, loss adjusters, brokers and specialist experts on High Court cases. The work could involve property damage claims, recoveries, policy advice, coverage and indemnity dispute, advice on fraud, subsidence and geotechnical, construction and engineering, farming & agriculture, product liability and household and commercial insurance issues.

In your role as a defence litigation solicitor you will:

• Handle your own caseload of claims predominantly in the High Court.
• Communicate with sophisticated insurer clients, dealing with their queries and updating them as the matter progresses.
• Carry out analysis of voluminous quantum evidence, preparing chronologies, identifying anomalies and other relevant information across various sources and categories of evidence.
• Use 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.
• Carry out critical analysis of sources of liability evidence and identify any gaps.
• Draft concise technical advice on all aspects of claim handling to include advice on indemnity, liability, quantum and causation issues.
• Proactively identify next steps required, taking action as agreed.
• Interview witnesses and draft statements.
• Liaise with parties involved in claims including the insured, insurer, witnesses etc.
• Draft pleadings and applications.
• Instruct counsel and attend conferences, joint consultations, mediations both remotely and in person.
• Attend court in person or by telephone, attend trials, settlement conferences etc as required.
• Deliver agreed performance targets and quality standards.
• Delegate assigned tasks to a Legal Assistant and/or Paralegal and be fully engaged in their development in terms of technical ability and achievement of objectives.
• Maintain case management systems with up to date management information for clients.
• Ensure compliance with the LSNI regulations.
• Have hands-on supervision and development of more junior team members.
• Participate in Business Development activities.

What You Need To Succeed:

• Qualified litigation solicitor with NQ-3 years+ PQE.
• 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.
• 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.

What You'll Receive In Return:

• There is a great team ethos within the Northern Ireland office, encouraging personal development and wellbeing.
• Offering hybrid working, a relaxed dress code and opportunities for flexible working hours.
• The team is friendly, supportive and there are opportunities to become part of the social committee, participate in charity events and to get involved in client development initiatives.
• Taking pride in the 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.

Working Hours:

• Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
• Primary location for this role is Belfast Office.
• Hybrid Working arrangements.

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.