Construction Solicitor - Tier 1 International Law Firm

CapeClarke; Slough; On-site; GBP 135,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CapeClarke in London seeks a Contentious Construction & Engineering Associate (2+ PQE) to join its market-leading team. You will advise on live projects, manage disputes, and contribute to high-value matters across diverse sectors, including adjudication, High Court litigation, and arbitration.

You will develop client relationships and help grow the practice in a collaborative environment. The role offers real responsibility, tight-knit team collaboration, and a pathway to further progression

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ PQE in contentious construction and engineering.
• Experience in both project advisory work and formal dispute resolution.
• Strong knowledge of construction contracts and related rights across the supply chain.
• Exposure to adjudication and High Court litigation procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide advisory support on live construction and engineering projects.
• Manage formal dispute resolution including adjudication, litigation, arbitration and mediation.
• Supervise trainees and contribute to business development and client relationships.

Skills

Dispute resolution

Contract knowledge

Stakeholder management

Organisational skills

Tools

Document review platforms

Bundling platforms

Witness/expert prep

Job description

Contentious Construction Lawyer

London | 2+ PQE | Leading City International Law Firm | £135k-180k

We are working with a highly regarded City law firm seeking a talented Contentious Construction & Engineering Associate (2+ PQE) to join its market-leading London team.

This is an outstanding opportunity to join one of the City’s preeminent specialist Construction & Engineering practices, advising on high-quality contentious matters across a diverse range of sectors.

The Role

Due to continued growth and an increasing volume of instructions, the team is looking to recruit a specialist contentious lawyer to advise on:

• Project advisory work on ‘live’ construction and engineering projects, assisting clients in managing risk and mitigating disputes
• Formal dispute resolution including adjudication, High Court litigation, arbitration, and mediation

You will play a central role in complex, high-value matters while developing strong client relationships and contributing to the continued expansion of the practice.

The Team

The Construction & Engineering team sits within the firm’s Real Estate Group and comprises both contentious and non-contentious specialists. It is a high-performing, cohesive and busy team with an excellent reputation for:

• Providing early responsibility
• Offering meaningful client exposure
• Supporting career progression within a collaborative and ambitious environment

You will work closely with non-contentious construction lawyers, transactional real estate

colleagues, and projects teams on a broad range of domestic and international mandates.

The Work

The practice advises clients across the full supply chain and a variety of sectors, including:

• Living sector (with particular focus on building safety)
• Industrial engineering
• Transport & infrastructure
• Energy & waste
• PFI projects

The work spans early-stage advisory support through to formal dispute resolution proceedings.

You will also:

• Supervise and mentor trainees and paralegals
• Assist with business development initiatives and pitches
• Take an active role in managing and developing key client relationships

Candidate Requirements

To be considered, you will have:

• 2+ years’ PQE in contentious construction and engineering
• Experience of both project advisory work and formal dispute resolution
• Strong knowledge of construction contracts and the contractual, tortious, and statutory rights arising across the supply chain
• Experience handling issues such as delay, extensions of time, liquidated damages, additional costs, and defects
• Experience of adjudication and High Court litigation procedure(Arbitration and mediation experience advantageous but not essential)
• Experience managing large-scale document review and disclosure exercises, including familiarity with document management, and bundling platforms
• Exposure to preparing witness and expert evidence
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Excellent organisational and diary management capabilities

The successful candidate will be commercially aware, inquisitive and motivated to understand clients’ businesses in order to deliver high-quality, strategic advice.

This is a superb opportunity to join a top-tier team offering genuine responsibility, high-quality work and excellent long-term career prospects in the London market.