Legal Counsel - Construction & Insurance Disputes in Cheltenham

LEGAL COUNSEL

Cheltenham | Hybrid Working Available | Permanent, Full Time

The Opportunity

Marley Risk Consultants is a market-leading specialist in the management of complex building and latent defect insurance claims. Working at the intersection of insurance, construction and dispute resolution, we help insurers, businesses and consumers navigate technically challenging matters and achieve fair, effective and commercially sound outcomes.

As our business continues to grow, we are looking to appoint an experienced lawyer to join us as Legal Counsel.

Legal Counsel

This is a distinctive opportunity for a lawyer who enjoys solving complex legal problems and wants to apply those skills in a strategic, commercially focused environment.

Unlike a traditional litigation role, your focus will not be on conducting formal proceedings. Instead, you will work as a trusted adviser to our Claims team, providing clear and pragmatic legal advice on potential recovery opportunities involving developers and other responsible third parties. You will analyse liability, assess legal and evidential issues, advise on recovery strategy and support constructive engagement intended to achieve timely and commercially sensible resolutions.

Alongside your principal focus on insurance recoveries, you will also play an important role in the continued development of our wider dispute resolution offering. Working with established dispute resolution schemes and their stakeholders, you will support the investigation and resolution of consumer and commercial disputes, helping parties reach fair, balanced and pragmatic outcomes through effective dispute resolution processes. As this area of the business continues to develop, it will become an increasingly significant part of the role.

You will work alongside some of the market's most experienced claims professionals, combining legal expertise with deep technical and commercial knowledge to resolve complex matters.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to support the wider business on corporate and commercial legal matters. This will suit a lawyer who enjoys variety and is willing to broaden their contribution by assisting with contracts, projects and other legal issues arising within a growing specialist business.

Key Responsibilities

Insurance Recoveries and Claims Advisory

• Advise the Claims team on potential recovery opportunities arising from building and latent defect insurance claims.
• Analyse potential causes of action against developers, contractors, consultants, professional advisers and other third parties, including claims arising in contract, statute and tort.
• Work closely with individual claims handlers to develop legally robust and commercially effective recovery strategies.
• Advise on legal merits, limitation, causation, recoverable loss, evidential issues and litigation risk.
• Identify the most appropriate legal and commercial avenues through which to secure meaningful engagement from potentially responsible parties.
• Draft and review correspondence intended to advance recovery discussions and promote early resolution.
• Support negotiations with developers and other third parties, including without prejudice discussions, mediation and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
• Provide clear recommendations that enable claims professionals and senior stakeholders to make informed commercial decisions.
• Monitor relevant legal developments and share practical guidance with colleagues where appropriate.

Dispute Resolution

• Investigate and analyse consumer and commercial disputes referred through dispute resolution schemes.
• Review contracts, technical evidence, expert reports and other relevant material to identify the key legal and factual issues in dispute.
• Engage directly with consumers, businesses and other stakeholders to facilitate constructive dialogue and resolution.
• Apply legal principles, regulatory requirements and established dispute resolution processes to support fair, balanced and well-reasoned outcomes.
• Prepare clear, concise and legally robust written determinations, recommendations and other dispute resolution documentation.
• Promote negotiation, mediation and other appropriate methods of dispute resolution where appropriate.
• Contribute to the continued development of Marley's dispute resolution services and wider strategic offering.

Corporate and Commercial Support

• Assist, on an ad hoc basis, with the drafting, review and negotiation of commercial agreements.
• Provide practical legal support on business initiatives, projects and operational matters.
• Assist with wider corporate, commercial and governance matters as required.
• Work flexibly and collaboratively in support of the business’s continued growth.

Essential Requirements

• Qualified as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (FCILEX) and authorised to practise in England and Wales.
• A minimum of five years’ post-qualification experience.
• Substantial experience of insurance recovery litigation, construction disputes or other complex commercial disputes.
• Strong knowledge of contractual, statutory and tortious causes of action.
• Experience advising on recovery or dispute strategy before the commencement of formal proceedings.
• Experience investigating, analysing and resolving complex disputes.
• A sound understanding of the Civil Procedure Rules, relevant Pre-Action Protocols and litigation strategy.
• Demonstrable experience of negotiation, mediation and other methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to translate legal analysis into practical recommendations.
• The confidence and independence to take ownership of legal issues and express a clear, reasoned view.
• The ability to build trusted relationships with claims professionals, technical specialists, senior stakeholders and external advisers.
• Excellent legal analysis, drafting and communication skills.
• The ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and concisely to non-lawyers.
• A proactive and organised approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work with limited supervision.

Desirable Experience

• Experience of building insurance, latent defect insurance or construction-related claims.
• Experience pursuing recoveries against developers, contractors, consultants, professional advisers or other participants in the construction process.
• Experience of consumer or commercial dispute resolution, ombudsman services or other independent dispute resolution schemes.
• Experience preparing written decisions, recommendations or legally reasoned determinations.
• Familiarity with construction contracts and the legal framework governing construction liability.
• Experience gained within an insurer, MGA, claims management business or other insurance environment.
• Experience working closely with claims handlers or other operational teams.
• Exposure to corporate and commercial legal work, particularly the drafting and negotiation of commercial agreements.
• An understanding of the UK insurance market and claims environment.

The Individual

You will be an intellectually curious and commercially minded lawyer who enjoys applying legal expertise to achieve practical outcomes.

You will be comfortable exercising independent judgement, taking ownership of complex issues and providing clear advice, including where the legal or factual position is uncertain. You will combine attention to legal detail with an understanding of the wider commercial context.

You will also be collaborative and approachable, able to develop trusted relationships with colleagues from a range of professional disciplines and to communicate complex legal principles in a practical and accessible way.

Above all, you will be motivated by the opportunity to influence the resolution of complex claims, contribute to a highly experienced multidisciplinary team and play a broader part in the continued growth of a specialist business.

Reward and Benefits

We recognise the importance of rewarding our people competitively and providing an environment in which they can thrive, both professionally and personally.

Salary and Bonus

• Competitive salary of £70,000–£80,000, depending on experience.
• Discretionary performance-related bonus.

Benefits

• Hybrid working (Tuesday to Thursday office-based).
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Private Medical Insurance.*
• Life Insurance.*
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• PureGym membership.
• Enhanced Company Pension Scheme.
• Enhanced family leave.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Technology Purchase Scheme.

*Available following successful completion of probation.

Professional Environment

Joining Marley means becoming part of a collaborative and highly respected specialist business where expertise is valued and professional development is encouraged. We offer:

• A professional, supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Ongoing professional and career development opportunities.
• Exposure to technically challenging and rewarding work.
• The opportunity to work alongside some of the insurance market’s most experienced claims professionals.