Job Description
Job Title: Solicitor – Defendant Motor
Department: Defendant Motor
About KLS Law
Established for over 25 years, KLS Law is a niche law firm committed to achieving and providing a first-rate legal service. We specialise in Clinical Negligence, Insurance Litigation, Professional Negligence, Casualty, Property and Personal Injury claims.
Our head office is based in Warrington, Cheshire, with excellent links to the M56 and M62 and close to both Warrington Bank Quay and Warrington Central train stations.
Main Purpose of Role
As a Defendant Motor Solicitor, you will manage and progress a caseload of defendant motor insurance claims to an effective and satisfactory conclusion, ensuring high levels of service are delivered to clients, insurers and internal stakeholders.
The successful candidate will be responsible for handling litigated and pre-litigated motor claims, providing clear legal advice, assessing liability and quantum, managing risk, and ensuring cases are progressed in accordance with client requirements, court deadlines and service level agreements.
The right candidate must have excellent attention to detail, sound legal judgement and the ability to handle a busy caseload with minimal supervision.
Key Accountabilities
- Manage a caseload of defendant motor claims in line with company and client service standards, protocols and regulatory requirements.
- Handle litigated and pre-litigated claims, including liability disputes, repair and credit hire claims, MOJ and non-MOJ personal injury claims, OIC portal claims, indemnity disputes and allegations of fundamental dishonesty.
- Use the Proclaim case management system to proactively progress cases and ensure compliance with client requirements.
- Provide clear, practical and commercially sound legal advice to clients.
- Analyse liability, quantum, evidence and litigation risk to support effective case strategy and decision-making.
- Draft and review pleadings, correspondence, witness evidence, instructions to Counsel and other legal documentation as required.
- Conduct negotiations and pursue appropriate settlement opportunities while protecting the client’s position.
- Ensure all limitation dates, court deadlines, procedural requirements and client SLAs are met.
- Maintain accurate file records and ensure all case activity is properly documented.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, supervisors and clients to achieve the best possible outcome.
- Identify risk issues, fraud concerns, indemnity issues and potential fundamental dishonesty arguments at an early stage.
- Ensure compliance with internal policies, client protocols, SRA obligations and relevant legal and procedural requirements.
Experience
- Qualified Solicitor with experience in defendant motor claims.
- Previous defendant or claimant RTA experience essential.
- Experience handling repair and credit hire claims.
- Experience dealing with litigated motor claims.
- Experience with MOJ and/or OIC Portal claims desirable.
- Third-party intervention experience desirable.
- Experience dealing with liability disputes, personal injury claims, indemnity issues and fundamental dishonesty allegations preferable.
- Experience using Proclaim case management system desirable but not essential.
Personal Skills
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
- Strong analytical and legal reasoning skills.
- Excellent organisational skills and effective time management.
- Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Ability to manage a busy caseload with minimal supervision.
- Ability to comply with and exceed client Service Level Agreement requirements.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Commercial awareness and sound judgement.
- Self-starter with initiative and the ability to prioritise workload.
- Team player who supports colleagues and has a positive, can-do attitude.
- IT literate with good typing and case management skills.
- Aptitude, drive and determination to achieve the best outcome for clients.
Health and Safety
- Ensure your work area is kept tidy and safe.
- Report any incidents, hazards or potential risks in accordance with company procedures.
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Warrington WA1 1RU: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
Work Location: In person
