Defendant Motor Solicitor

Solicitor – Defendant Motor

Department: Defendant Motor

Location: Warrington, Cheshire

About KLS Law

KLS Law is an established niche law firm with more than 25 years’ experience delivering high-quality legal services to businesses and individuals.

We specialise in insurance litigation, clinical negligence, professional negligence, casualty, property and personal injury claims.

Our head office is based in Warrington, Cheshire, with excellent transport links to the M56 and M62 and convenient access to both Warrington Bank Quay and Warrington Central railway stations.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Solicitor to join our Defendant Motor team.

You will manage a varied caseload of pre-litigated and litigated defendant motor claims, providing clear, practical and commercially focused legal advice to insurers and other clients.

The role will involve assessing liability, quantum and litigation risk, developing effective case strategies and progressing claims efficiently through to settlement or trial. You will be expected to deliver a consistently high level of service while meeting court deadlines, client service level agreements and regulatory requirements.

The successful candidate will have sound legal judgement, excellent attention to detail and the confidence to manage a busy caseload with minimal supervision.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of defendant motor claims in accordance with client protocols, service standards and regulatory requirements.
• Handle both pre-litigated and litigated claims, including liability disputes, vehicle damage, repair and credit hire claims.
• Manage MOJ and non-MOJ personal injury claims and claims submitted through the Official Injury Claim Portal.
• Advise on indemnity disputes, fraud concerns and potential allegations of fundamental dishonesty.
• Analyse liability, quantum, evidence and litigation risk to develop appropriate case strategies.
• Provide clients with clear, practical and commercially focused legal advice.
• Draft and review pleadings, correspondence, witness statements, instructions to Counsel and other legal documentation.
• Conduct effective negotiations and identify appropriate opportunities for settlement while protecting the client’s position.
• Proactively progress cases using the Proclaim case management system.
• Ensure all limitation dates, court deadlines, procedural requirements and client service level agreements are met.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive file records, ensuring all case activity and advice is properly documented.
• Identify potential risks, indemnity concerns and fraud indicators at an early stage.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, supervisors, clients, experts and Counsel to achieve the best possible outcome.
• Comply with internal policies, client protocols, SRA obligations and all relevant legal and procedural requirements.

Experience and QualificationsEssential

• Qualified Solicitor with relevant motor claims experience.
• Previous defendant or claimant road traffic accident experience.
• Experience handling litigated motor claims.
• Experience dealing with vehicle damage, repair and credit hire claims.
• Strong knowledge of liability, quantum and civil litigation procedure.
• Ability to manage a busy caseload with minimal supervision.

Desirable

• Experience handling MOJ and/or Official Injury Claim Portal claims.
• Experience of third-party intervention.
• Experience dealing with personal injury claims, indemnity disputes, fraud concerns and allegations of fundamental dishonesty.
• Previous experience using the Proclaim case management system.

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong negotiation and dispute-resolution skills.
• Sound analytical ability and legal judgement.
• Excellent organisation and time-management skills.
• Ability to prioritise competing demands and work effectively under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of insurer-client priorities.
• Proactive and self-motivated approach to case progression.
• Ability to meet and exceed client service level requirements.
• Positive and collaborative approach to working with colleagues and clients.
• Good IT, typing and case management skills.
• Drive and determination to secure the best possible outcome for clients.

Health and Safety

All employees are responsible for maintaining a safe and tidy working environment and reporting any incidents, hazards or potential risks in accordance with company procedures.

Salary is from £45,000 per annum