In-House Litigation Lawyer

South West Water Limited; Bristol; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the water and renewables industries is seeking an In-House Litigation Lawyer to join its Legal team for a fixed term of 12 months. The role involves managing legal disputes, providing legal counsel, and ensuring compliance with water regulations. Ideal candidates will be UK qualified solicitors with a proven track record in litigation management and strong negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience.
• Strong knowledge of dispute resolution and civil litigation process.
• Ability to communicate complex legal issues to non-legal colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee legal disputes and contentious matters.
• Provide legal advice on risk management and mitigation.
• Negotiate and draft settlement terms and agreements.

Skills

Dispute Resolution

Litigation Management

Negotiation

Problem Solving

Strategic Thinking

Education

UK Qualified Solicitor

Job description

At Pennon Group, we’re proud to be leading the way in the water and renewables industries. Alongside our subsidiaries - South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power - we’re committed to delivering a sustainable future of our region. Because we know that by continually driving up our standards today, we’ll build a better tomorrow for our communities.

We currently have a fixed term opportunity available to join our Pennon Legal team for 12 months as anIn-House Litigation Lawyer. Based out of either our Exeter or Bristol office, you will receive a salary of £55,000 - £65,000 depending on experience.

The role

As part of our litigation team, you will be responsible for managing and overseeing legal disputes and contentious matters.

During this fixed term contract, you will have opportunity to be representing the company in civil disputes managing external counsel, providing legal advice on risk management and helping the company to identify and mitigating legal risk arising from its operations.

What you’ll be doing

• Litigation management – oversee and manage civil litigation matters, including dealing with nuisance and negligence claims, property and commercial disputes.
• Advising the business on its legal rights and responsibilities (including its statutory duties and powers and on water regulations)
• Risk Assessment – Provide legal counsel to internal departments advising to help mitigate risks to related business operations
• Legal Research – stay updated on legal development and trends that may impact the company operations.
• Supporting the Company in dealing with customer complaints through the Consumer Council for Water’s mediation and adjudication processes.
• Working with the Company’s Insurance team in responding to third party recovery actions.
• Acting for the business in defended debt recovery litigation and in bringing property damage claims against third parties.
• Negotiating, drafting and advising on settlement terms and agreements.
• Helping with the development of precedents and standardisation of legal precedent bank and resources.

What we’re looking for

• UK qualified solicitor with a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience
• Strong knowledge on dispute resolution and the civil litigation process
• ability to assess complex legal issues and develop creative solutions
• Ability to communicate complex legal issues and risks in terms that non-legal colleagues can understand
• Problem solver - ability to assess complex legal issues and develop creative solutions
• Strategic thinker to align litigation considerations with business objectives
• Negotiation skills – proven track record of successful negotiation and settlement of disputes
• Previous experience in interpreting regulations and advising internal stakeholders on changes is preferable
• experience of providing legal advice to businesses in regulated industries is preferable (not necessarily the water industry)

Closing date: 25th June 2025

Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values which are essential to our success are:

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