LITIGATION SOLICITOR
(DEBT RECOVERY AND CONSUMER CLAIMS – INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS)
Our client is part of a group of companies, providing credit management and dispute resolution services to UK and international businesses. They are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The wider Group operates to established governance, data protection and information security standards, including ISO-accredited frameworks.
Role overview
They are expanding their litigation offering and opening new offices in Manchester M2, just 15 minutes’ walk from Manchester Piccadilly/Manchester Oxford Road stations.
The firm seeks a Litigation Solicitor (NQ–6 PQE) to manage and develop a caseload of debt recovery and consumer claims for regulated institutional clients. The solicitor will manage their own caseload and supervise the work of two paralegals. The role involves close day-to-day contact with Directors and Heads of Department and offers a clear progression path as the team and offices grow.
Key responsibilities
* Managing a caseload of defended and undefended debt recovery and consumer claims from pre-action through to enforcement.
* Acting for regulated institutional clients, understanding their regulatory, reputational and commercial priorities, and tailoring strategy accordingly.
* Drafting pre-action correspondence, letters of claim, claim forms, particulars of claim, defences, replies, applications (including set-aside and relief from sanctions where relevant), witness statements and consent orders.
* Conducting or overseeing compliance with relevant pre-action protocols, negotiation and settlement (including structured repayment arrangements) and ADR where appropriate.
* Handling small claims and fast track matters (and selected multi-track cases where appropriate), including directions, disclosure, witness evidence and trial preparation.
* Supervising and quality-controlling the work of two paralegals, including task allocation, training on CPR basics, drafting standards and time-recording discipline, and undertaking regular file reviews.
* Ensuring accurate and timely time-recording and effective use of case management systems, contributing to MI and reporting for institutional clients.
* Working closely with Directors and Heads of Department on refinement of processes, precedents and workflows for institutional portfolios, and contributing to operational improvements.
* Ensuring strict compliance with SRA Principles, AML and data protection requirements in a high-volume, data-rich practice.
* Contributing to client care and business development, including attending client review meetings, assisting with tenders and panel reviews, and supporting new initiatives as the firm grows.
* Where appropriate, instructing and liaising with counsel on more complex or high-value matters (including test cases), preparing clear instructions and bundles.
Essential criteria
* Qualified solicitor in England and Wales (NQ–6 years PQE). High-calibre final seat experience in litigation or debt recovery will be considered for NQs.
* Strong working knowledge of the CPR across small claims and fast track, with an appreciation of multi-track procedure, including experience of or exposure to strike out, default and summary judgment, relief from sanctions and enforcement.
* Demonstrable focus on procedural compliance, including reliable diary management, adherence to court orders and directions, and risk management around limitation and sanctions.
* Experience managing a litigation caseload (trainee experience acceptable for recently qualified individuals) with responsibility for progressing matters proactively under supervision.
* Experience of, or clear aptitude for, supervising and developing junior team members or support staff, including structured feedback and quality control.
* Experience or a clear desire to act for institutional or repeat-player clients, and an understanding of the need for consistency, reporting and MI.
* Strong drafting skills (correspondence, pleadings, applications and witness statements) and clear written communication.
* Commercially minded, able to advise on proportionality, settlement options and costs, with client care at the forefront of decision-making.
* Comfortable working in-office for most of the week and in close proximity with Directors and Heads of Department for supervision and training.
* High standards of professional ethics, confidentiality and regulatory compliance (SRA, AML, data protection).
Pre-qualification experience will be considered where relevant.
Desirable criteria
* Evidence of having run applications from drafting to advocacy (e.g. set-asides, relief from sanctions, summary judgment) in the County Court.
* Experience with higher volume debt recovery litigation, including portfolio management and structured settlement negotiation for regulated clients.
* Confidence with routine advocacy (e.g. small claims trials, directions hearings, set-aside and possession-related applications) and clarity about when to brief counsel.
* Appetite to contribute to process and system improvements, including precedent development, standardisation of time entries, and enhancement of case management and reporting for institutional clients.
Remuneration and progression
* Competitive, market-aligned salary, dependent on experience.
* Competitive performance-related bonus structure.
* Clear career progression opportunities within a growing firm, with scope to develop into a senior, team lead or specialist institutional client role as the practice and new offices expand