Solicitor - Motor

Keoghs; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Keoghs in Belfast is seeking an experienced solicitor to handle a varied caseload of litigated motor injury and credit hire cases within the County Court jurisdiction. The role suits solicitors with 5+ years PQE and a solid grounding in defence insurance litigation.

Keoghs offers hybrid working, a supportive team ethos, and clear career progression toward Trainee Solicitor, Associate, Team Lead and Partner.

Qualifications

• Law Degree & qualified Solicitor (5+ years PQE).
• Previous defence insurance litigation experience is desirable but not essential.
• Strong telephone advocacy skills.
• Positive, confident and enthusiastic.
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and client care.
• 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.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Defence insurance litigation

Telephone advocacy

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Case management

Time management

Initiative

Analytical skills

Pressure handling

Education

Law degree & Solicitor qualification

5+ years PQE in NI

Job description

Description

You will handle a varied caseload of litigated motor injury and credit hire cases within the County Court jurisdiction.

The role will suit solicitors with 5 + years PQE.

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.

We have ambitious growth plans for our future. We have a clear Career Progression Pathway, and each team member engages in a Continuing Conversation with our Leadership Team to ensure we support you in developing your talent with internal promotions to Trainee Solicitor, Associate, Team Lead and Partner, as we celebrate and reward our successes. We are fully committed to recognising contribution and rewarding high performance, making Keoghs a great place to develop your career.

The cases you will work on will be varied and exciting, with opportunities to develop into specialisms of particular interest to you, as we play to the strengths of each team member.

Department

Legal

Location

Belfast

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

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Law Degree & qualified Solicitor (5 + years PQE).


• Previous experience in defence insurance litigation is 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.