Solicitor

Weightmans is a Top 45 law firm with offices throughout the UK. Having been recognised as the leading legal employer at the annual Britain's Top Employers awards 2019 and achieved record rankings in Chambers UK, we are immensely proud of the work we carry out for our clients and the culture we provide to our people.

PLEASE NOTE: This role will be based on permanent secondment to Surrey Police, based in Guildford

Our Casualty team provides a full, expert service in defending public and employers' liability claims, particularly workplace, public sector and claims against the emergency services. Weightmans' team is second-to-none in providing defendant litigation services in these specialist areas. We operate on a national basis with dedicated workplace, public and police teams.

PLEASE NOTE: This role will be based on permanent secondment to Surrey Police, based in Guildford

To advise, prepare and present cases in court including Sexual Harm Prevention Order, Sexual Risk Orders, Anti-Social Behaviour injunctions, closure orders, Domestic Violence Protection Orders, and Stalking Protection Orders.

To effectively manage a large caseload of non-litigated and litigated police claims and to provide support in the form of assisting in the preparation of witness statements, preparing witnesses for trial, attending conferences with counsel and attending trial.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Specialise in acting on behalf of various police forces, claims handlers and insurers, protecting their interests
• Manage a caseload of non-litigated and litigated claims including but not limited to property damage, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, assault, employers liability and motor claims
• Present cases in the Magistrates court
• Represent police forces and advocate in disclosure applications to the Family court
• Provide face to face training to groups of police officers
• Assist the TM and other team members with their cases, client development, client training, networking and potentially public speaking where required
• Liaise with various parties such as other solicitors, insurers, experts, counsel and clients
• Control Case Manager diary and action lists
• Attend at court hearings as appropriate
• Draft various documents such as letters and reports
• Satisfy standards of client care in accordance with TM guidelines and directions
• Complete Client MI procedures
• Achieve set financial and chargeable targets
• Comply with relevant rules, policies and procedures
• Keep up to date with legal developments
• Work in accordance with Weightmans’ values

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and you will be expected to perform other duties and have other responsibilities that fall within the wider remit of the role.

• Preferably experience of defending litigated claims but candidates who have Claimant litigation experience will also considered
• Willingness to present cases in the magistrates court
• Excellent knowledge of the CPR and litigation
• Ability to influence a broad range of people including key decision makers
• Excellent organisation skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent IT skills
• Ability to work to strict deadlines and targets
• Ability to work as part of a team or on own initiative
• Flexible approach to work and a willingness to travel
• Should be based in or near to Guildford

Please note:

• Any reference to experience or PQE in our adverts or job descriptions is to be used as a guideline only. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and with different levels of experience who can demonstrate that they fulfil the requirements of the role.

• The successful candidate appointed to this role will be subject to our standard background checking process, and any offer of employment made is conditional upon successful completion of those checks. Further details can be obtained from the Recruitment team.