Solicitor - 0-3 PQE - Motor & Casualty

Keoghs; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Keoghs in Belfast seeks a Solicitor with 1–5 years PQE to manage a varied caseload of litigated motor injury, fraud and credit hire cases within the County Court. You will work within a cooperative team focused on delivering strong client outcomes.

The role offers hybrid working and a supportive environment with opportunities for professional development and involvement in client development initiatives.

Qualifications

• Law Degree & qualified Solicitor (0-5 years PQE).
• Defence insurance litigation experience is desired but not essential.
• Credit Hire experience desired but not essential.
• Good telephone advocacy skills.
• Positive, confident and enthusiastic.
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and client care skills.
• Understanding of case law, litigation practice/process and Court Rules.
• Ability to prioritise work, meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Confidence to take initiative and adapt to changing situations.
• Ability to work to targets and service level agreements.
• Excellent research skills.
• High level of analytical skills.
• Excellent IT skills.

Responsibilities

• Work within the Motor team as an insurance defence litigation specialist to progress files in line with client instruction.
• Communicate with colleagues, clients and third parties in person, over the phone and in writing.
• Identify next steps and handle cases within your authority.
• Interview witnesses and draft statements.
• Liaise with insured, insurer, witnesses and others.
• Draft pleadings and applications.
• Instruct counsel and attend conferences, both remotely and in person.
• Attend court in person or by telephone, attend trials and conferences as required.
• Deliver agreed performance targets and quality standards.
• Maintain case management systems with up-to-date information for clients.
• Ensure compliance with LSNI regulations.

Skills

Telephone advocacy

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Analytical thinking

Research skills

IT skills

Case management

Education

Law Degree

Solicitor qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Case management systems

Job description

Department: Legal

Location: Belfast

This role offers an excellent opportunity for a Solicitor with 1-5 years PQE to handle a varied caseload of litigated motor injury, fraud and credit hire cases within the County Court jurisdiction.

Keoghs is the leading provider of legal and claims solutions to insurers, businesses and other suppliers to the insurance sector. Keoghs Northern Ireland has grown year on year since inception in the local market in 2019 and now has over 50 staff solely dedicated to defendant insurance litigation services.

The strong and well-respected reputation of our experienced team has been recognised in the Legal 500 and Chambers Directories.

We work in partnership with our insurance clients and their policyholders, providing a supportive team focused approach, resulting in excellent outcomes. There is a great team ethos within our Northern Ireland office, where we encourage personal development and wellbeing. We offer hybrid working and a relaxed dress code, and we pride ourselves on our agile working policy. Our team is friendly and supportive, and there are opportunities to become part of our social committee, participate in charity events and to get involved in client development initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Work within the Motor team as an insurance defence litigation specialist, to pursue completion of files in line with client instruction to the commercial benefit of Keoghs and clients.
• Communicate, build and utilise relationships with colleagues, clients and third parties in a professional and knowledgeable manner; including all methods of communication: in person, over the phone and written.
• Proactively identifying next steps required and handling cases within your agreed handling authority.
• Interviewing witnesses and drafting statements.
• Liaising with parties involved in claims including the insured, insurer, witnesses etc.
• Drafting pleadings and applications.
• Instructing counsel and attending conferences, consultations, mediations both remotely and in person.
• Attend court in person or by telephone, attend trials, settlement conferences etc as required.
• Delivery of agreed performance targets and quality standards.
• Maintaining case management systems with up to date management information for clients.
• To ensure compliance with the LSNI regulations.

Working Hours

• 35 hours per week
• Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch.
• Whilst the core working hours are 9.00 am to 5.00 pm the Fee Earner will be expected to work such hours as are necessary to achieve their targets and it is expected that if the demands of work require it, longer hours will be worked to achieve these expectations.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Law Degree & qualified Solicitor (0-5 years PQE).
• Previous experience in defence insurance litigation is desired but not essential.
• Previous experience of Credit Hire desired but not essential.
• Good telephone advocacy skills.
• Positive, confident and enthusiastic.
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and client care skills.
• Understanding of case law and litigation practice and process, and Court Rules.
• Ability to prioritise work, keep to deadlines and work under pressure.
• Confidence to take initiative and adapt to changing situations.
• Ability to work to agreed targets and service level agreements.
• Excellent research skills.
• High level of analytical skills.
• Excellent IT skills.