Defendant EL/PL Associate / Senior Associate

Cape Clarke; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits package

Job summary

Cape Clarke is recruiting for a Defendant EL/PL Associate/Senior Associate in Newcastle with hybrid working. The role covers a broad defendant personal injury caseload, working for insurers and large organisations, with exposure to liability and duty of care issues.

You will manage matters, advise on settlement strategy, draft substantive reports and liaise with witnesses and experts. Salary ranges £60,000–£80,000 depending on experience, with bonus and benefits.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with 3+ years PQE in defendant personal injury.
• Strong EL/PL or public liability experience.
• Comfortable with a varied caseload and direct client contact.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own matters, assess liability and quantum, and advise on strategy.
• Draft reports and court documents, and coordinate with witnesses, experts and counsel.
• Provide clear advice on prospects and next steps to clients.

Job description

Defendant EL/PL Associate / Senior Associate

Newcastle | Hybrid working | £60,000–£80,000

I'm recruiting an Associate or Senior Associate for a defendant personal injury team in Newcastle. The work is broader than a conventional accident-only EL/PL caseload, making this an interesting move for a litigator who wants exposure to a wider range of liability disputes.

The team acts for insurers, public sector bodies and large self-insured organisations. Alongside employers' liability and public liability claims, the work can involve abuse, human rights, data protection, Equality Act and duty of care issues. That breadth calls for careful factual investigation and the ability to consider the wider consequences of litigation for the client.

The role

You will manage your own matters, assess liability and quantum, direct the collection of evidence and advise on the appropriate defence and settlement strategy. You will draft substantive reports and court documents, work with witnesses, experts and counsel and maintain clear advice on prospects, costs and next steps.

At Senior Associate level, the appointment will draw more heavily on your independence and ability to contribute to technical discussions and the development of colleagues.

Your experience

I'm interested in qualified solicitors with around three or more years' PQE and relevant defendant personal injury litigation experience. Strong EL/PL or public liability experience is particularly relevant. You should be comfortable with a technically varied caseload, clear written advice and direct client contact.

This would suit someone looking to develop beyond a narrow injury caseload while remaining within defendant litigation and insurance work.

The salary range is £60,000–£80,000, depending on experience and the level of appointment, plus bonus and benefits. Newcastle base with hybrid working.