Vacancies

Location:              Westminster, London

Department:         Dispute Resolution

Contract:              Permanent, full time

Salary:                  Competitive depending on experience and up to 10% bonus

Reporting to:       Partner

About us

Our Dispute Resolution team acts for businesses, institutional and charity clients, and private individuals across a broad chancery litigation caseload, with a particular emphasis on property, commercial and probate disputes. We regularly act in cases in the FTT, County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

The team is led by two partners with excellent reputations in their fields of expertise, yet small enough that you will have real ownership of your files and direct contact with clients from the outset, with a steady flow of high-quality, often complex work.

The role

We are looking for a solicitor with approximately one to two years' post-qualification general and/or chancery litigation experience gained in a London or Regional firm. You will run your own caseload under partner supervision and assist on larger, more complex matters.

The work is varied, but you can expect a mix of:

Property litigation: landlord and tenant disputes, possession claims, dilapidations, service charge disputes, boundary and easement disputes, restrictive covenants, adverse possession, TOLATA and FTT claims and Land Registry applications.

Commercial disputes: contractual claims, debt recovery, partnership and shareholder disputes, and professional negligence.

Probate and trusts disputes:  will validity challenges, Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims, executor and trustee disputes, and claims involving charitable legacies.

Key responsibilities

• Managing your own caseload of litigation matters from initial instructions through to trial or settlement, with appropriate supervision.
• Drafting statements of case, witness statements, applications, instructions to counsel and experts, and correspondence.
• Advising clients on the merits, costs and risks of their position, including funding options and costs budgeting.
• Complying with the CPR, pre-action protocols and court directions, and managing case deadlines effectively.
• Advising on and participating in ADR, including mediation and without prejudice negotiation.
• Attending court hearings, conferences with counsel and client meetings.
• Meeting billing and time recording targets, and managing work in progress and disbursements.
• Contributing to business development, including client seminars, articles and networking, and supporting the wider team's marketing efforts.

Essential requirements

• Qualified solicitor of England and Wales with a current practising certificate, with 1 -2 years' PQE (or equivalent experience gained before qualification).
• Demonstrable property litigation experience.
• Sound working knowledge of the Civil Procedure Rules and their practical application.
• Strong drafting and analytical skills, with close attention to detail.
• Team player.
• Confident client-facing manner and the ability to explain complex issues clearly.
• Well organised, with the ability to prioritise a varied caseload and work to deadlines.

Desirable

• Experience of contentious probate or trusts work.
• Experience acting for charities, institutional clients or SMEs.
• Advocacy experience in the County Court.
• Familiarity with case and practice management systems and e-filing (CE-File / MCOL).

What we offer

• A broad, high-quality chancery caseload with early responsibility and client contact.
• Close supervision and mentoring from experienced partners, with a clear route to progression.
• Funded ongoing training and CPD.
• Pension, private medical insurance, life assurance, generous annual leave, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme.
• A friendly, collegiate working environment in a prestigious location in central Westminster.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a short covering letter setting out your relevant experience to the Practice Manager, Michelle Pineda at Michelle.Pineda@lbmw.com. Closing date is 30 September.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply.