Transport Regulatory Solicitor 2 - 6 PQE

Weightmans; Manchester; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a qualified solicitor to join their rapidly growing transport regulatory team. This role offers the chance to develop expertise in a high-demand area of privately funded regulatory law, supporting major transport and logistics companies. As part of a dynamic team, you will manage a diverse caseload, advise clients on regulatory matters, and represent them in hearings. This position provides an excellent opportunity for professional growth and involvement in business development activities, making it ideal for someone passionate about regulatory law and client representation.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with 2-6 years of post-qualification experience.
• Strong advocacy and exceptional written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on transport regulatory matters and prepare cases for hearings.
• Represent operators at hearings and conduct compliance reviews.

Skills

Advocacy skills

Organisational skills

Time management

Teamwork

Written communication

Handling complex caseloads

Education

Qualified solicitor 2 - 6-year PQE

Tools

IT skills

Job description

About your new role

The Regulatory Department is very diverse, offering a broad range of expert advice to organisations and individuals facing Health & Safety, criminal, environmental, CQC and other regulatory prosecutions. The department also advises individuals facing possible criminal and professional regulatory sanctions, as well as individuals and organisations requiring advice and representation at inquests. The department is rapidly expanding and we are a busy team.

The role

The transport regulatory team is headed up by Chris Powell and sits within the wider Regulatory Core team. This is a rapidly growing team with an enviable client base of major transport and logistics companies and corporate fleet operators. The role will primarily be to support Chris and the team in growing this practice area and managing a heavy caseload of transport regulatory matters. Our clients include some of the largest companies and fleet operators across the UK and Europe.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop a specialism in a high-demand, high-consequence area of privately funded regulatory law.
With our diverse offering, inevitably there will both the scope and need for our lawyers to be involved in work for clients outside of their core caseload.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Advising clients on transport regulatory matters including all areas across the operator licensing regime regulated by the Office of the Traffic Commissioner.
2. Preparing cases for hearings, including taking witness statements, drafting submissions, overseeing the preparation of bundles, conducting investigations and similar.
3. Representing operators in PACE interviews with DVSA or other regulators.
4. Responding to DVSA investigations or desk-based assessments.
5. Supporting with training exercises for clients, including mock Public Inquiries and incident response training sessions.
6. Undertaking compliance reviews for clients.
7. Representing operators at hearings before the Traffic Commissioners including Preliminary Hearings, Public Inquiries and Senior Team Leader Meetings, and undertaking own advocacy.
8. Transport regulatory corporate due diligence support.

General

1. Undertaking business development activities, supporting the members of the team and public speaking events.
2. Achieve set financial and chargeable targets.
3. Ensure relevant deadlines, quality measures and KPIs are adhered to.
4. Comply with relevant policies and procedures.
5. Work in accordance with Weightmans’ values.

About You

Essential

1. Qualified solicitor 2 - 6-year PQE.
2. Advocacy skills or willingness to develop these.
3. Excellent organisational and time management skills.
4. Excellent collaborative and team working skills.
5. Exceptional written communication and drafting skills.
6. Experienced in handling complex caseloads under pressure.
7. Comfortable travelling nationwide to visit clients and to attend court hearings, including travel by car.

Desirable

1. Advocacy experience.
2. Comfortable advising and presenting to companies at board-level.
3. Transport Regulatory experience or willingness to be developed in this area.
4. Wider regulatory defence experience is desirable.
5. Excellent IT skills.
6. Ability to work to deadlines and targets.
7. Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
8. Flexible approach.
9. Passion for business development, including writing articles, presenting to industry bodies, and developing relationships.