Contentious Construction Solicitor - Tier 1 Law Firm

CapeClarke; Greater London; On-site; GBP 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

CapeClarke is partnering with a leading City firm in London to recruit a Contentious Construction & Engineering Associate (2+ PQE). The role involves advising on high-value disputes across sectors, handling project advisory work and formal dispute resolution, including adjudication, High Court litigation, arbitration and mediation.

You will mentor trainees, contribute to business development, and develop strong client relationships within a top-tier Real Estate practice.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Excellent organisational and diary management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Advise on live construction and engineering projects, helping clients manage risk and mitigate disputes.
• Lead formal dispute resolution, including adjudication, High Court litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
• Supervise and mentor trainees and paralegals.
• Assist with business development initiatives and pitches.
• Develop and manage key client relationships within the practice.

Skills

Contentious construction & engineering

Dispute resolution

Client relationship management

Job description

London | 2+ PQE | Leading City Firm | £120k+

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)
• 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
• 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.