Solicitor - Motor Team. Team 1

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Relaxed dress code

Social events and charity activities

Job summary

Keoghs in Belfast is seeking a Solicitor to join the Motor Team in our Legal department on a permanent full-time basis. You will handle a varied caseload of motor injury and credit hire claims in the County Court, with 2–5 years PQE.

The role offers hybrid working, a supportive team, and clear career progression from Trainee Solicitor to Partner, with opportunities to engage in client development initiatives and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with 2-5 years PQE.
• Experience in defence insurance litigation is desirable but not essential.
• Good telephone advocacy skills.
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and client care skills.
• Understanding of case law, litigation practice and Court Rules.
• Ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Confidence to take initiative and adapt to changing situations.

Responsibilities

• Work within the Motor team as an insurance defence litigation specialist to pursue completion of files in line with client instruction.
• Communicate, build and utilise relationships with colleagues, clients and third parties in a professional and knowledgeable manner.
• 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 and witnesses.
• Drafting pleadings and applications.
• Instructing counsel and attending conferences and mediations both remotely and in person.
• Attend court in person or by telephone, attend trials and settlement conferences as required.
• Deliver agreed performance targets and quality standards.
• Maintain case management systems with up-to-date management information for clients.
• Ensure compliance with LSNI regulations.

Skills

Telephone advocacy

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Legal knowledge

Time management

Initiative

Client care

Research skills

Analytical skills

IT skills

Education

Law degree & qualified solicitor

Job description

Solicitor - Motor Team. Team 1

Department: Legal

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Belfast

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 2-5 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.

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 (2-5 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.
• Excellent IT skills.

Working Hours
35 hours per week

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch.