Solicitor/Chartered Legal Executive – Civil Litigation

Bury & Walkers LLP; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Discretionary bonus scheme

Career development opportunities

Supportive team culture

Job summary

A reputable law firm in Barnsley is seeking an experienced Contentious Probate & Civil Litigation Solicitor with 1-3 years’ PQE. The ideal candidate will manage their own caseload of disputes related to Wills, Trusts, and Estates, while collaborating with experienced colleagues in a supportive environment. Responsibilities include drafting legal documents, providing legal advice, and engaging in negotiations. This role offers a competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a supportive team culture.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years’ PQE in contentious probate and civil litigation.
• Experience with TOLATA claims.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload.

Responsibilities

• Managing own caseload of disputes from start to finish.
• Drafting legal documents and correspondence.
• Providing clear legal advice to clients.
• Conducting negotiations and alternative dispute resolution.
• Maintaining high standards of client care and professionalism.
• Dealing with TOLATA claims, including beneficial ownership, sale of property, and occupation rights.

Skills

Contentious probate

Civil litigation

Negotiation skills

Client handling

Communication

Education

Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales

Job description

As our firm continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced and passionate Contentious Probate & Civil Litigation Solicitor for our Barnsley office. This is an exciting opportunity for a solicitor with 1-3 years’ PQE and a genuine interest in civil litigation and contentious probate to take the next step in their career and develop the department.

You will play a key role in the continued development of our contentious probate offering, managing your own caseload of disputes arising from Wills, Trusts, and Estates, while working closely with experienced colleagues in a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

The Role

You will be responsible for managing a varied caseload of contentious probate and related civil litigation matters from start to finish, including:

• Will challenges and validity disputes
• Inheritance Act claims
• Executor and trustee disputes
• TOLATA (Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996) claims

Key Responsibilities

• Managing your own caseload of contentious probate and civil litigation matters
• Drafting legal documents, correspondence, pleadings, and witness statements
• Providing clear, practical, and commercially focused legal advice to clients at all stages of litigation
• Conducting negotiations and engaging in alternative dispute resolution where appropriate
• Maintaining high standards of client care, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Dealing with TOLATA claims, including beneficial ownership, sale of property, and occupation rights.

About You

• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales with 1–3 years’ PQE
• Experience in contentious probate, civil litigation and TOLATA claims.
• Confident communicator with excellent written and verbal skills
• Highly organised, proactive, and able to manage competing priorities
• Commercially minded, with strong negotiation and client-handling skills
• Empathetic and professional, with the ability to handle sensitive family disputes

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to develop your career within a growing and well-regarded practice
• Exposure to high-quality, complex contentious probate work
• Supportive team culture with genuine opportunities for progression
• Competitive salary and benefits package, including discretionary bonus scheme

Full time hours Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5.15 pm

Salary will be dependent on experience.

Please send your CV and a covering letter detailing the experience that you can bring to the role. Kindly forward this to Dawn Stones, Practice Manager - [e-mail]