Job Description

LITIGATION SOLICITOR (CIVIL / REAL ESTATE)

Title: Litigation Solicitor - Civil Litigation (Any PQE)

Firm: STA Legal

Location: Kent or Manchester (primarily office-based, with flexibility)

Reports to: Client Services Director

Role overview

STA Legal seeks a Litigation Solicitor (any PQE) to join its contentious practice in Kent or Manchester. The role is central to the firm's 2026 growth plan. The successful candidate will manage and support a mixed caseload of commercial and civil litigation, recovery actions, and real estate disputes, working closely with Directors and Heads of Department. The role includes supervising paralegals and contributing to trial and hearing readiness across the team as the firm expands its contentious offering.

Key responsibilities

- Managing a caseload of commercial and civil disputes

o Commercial and civil litigation

Contract claims, debt claims and performance disputes

Misrepresentation, fraud and warranty/indemnity disputes

Breach of supply and distribution agreements (UK and cross-border)

Carriage, freight, demurrage/detention and related logistics disputes

Cargo damage, shortage and delivery/acceptance disputes

o Real estate disputes

Landlord and tenant disputes (commercial and residential) including arrears and enforcement of lease terms

Boundary, title and property-related claims, including injunctions where required

Construction/development disputes and related contractual claims

o Insolvency and enforcement

Statutory demands and winding-up/bankruptcy processes (including contested petitions)

Judgment enforcement strategy, asset recovery and cross-border support

- Drafting pre-action correspondence, letters of claim, pleadings, applications, witness statements and draft orders.

- Handling claims across intermediate and multi-track matters, managing directions, disclosure, evidence and trial preparation.

- Conducting case management and interim hearings, and other routine advocacy where appropriate.

- Liaising with clients and stakeholders (including carriers, freight forwarders, insurers, brokers and overseas counterparts), providing clear advice on merits, risk, costs and dispute strategy.

- Working with enforcement officers/HCEOs and the court service in relation to warrants, writs of control and other enforcement mechanisms, and coordinating cross-border enforcement support where relevant.

- Supervising and overseeing the work of trainees and paralegals on drafting, disclosure, bundle preparation and court/tribunal filings, including structured training and regular file reviews.

- Maintaining accurate time-recording and effective use of case management systems, supporting MI and reporting for key clients.

- Contributing to the development and maintenance of precedents, checklists and internal guidance on commercial disputes, trade/transport claims, insolvency litigation and arbitration.

- Ensuring strict compliance with SRA Principles, AML and data protection obligations, including appropriate handling of client and counterparty data and cross-border transfers where relevant.

- Supporting business development for the commercial disputes practice, including client training sessions, presentations and written updates, and contributing to delivery of the 2026 growth plan.

Prequalification experience will be considered if relevant.

Essential criteria

- Qualified solicitor in England and Wales (any PQE) with demonstrable experience in commercial and/or civil litigation (including from seats or paralegal roles where applicable), and evidence of assisting with and/or undertaking trial preparation.

- Strong working knowledge of the CPR across claims tracks with practical experience of directions, disclosure, witness evidence and trial preparation.

- Demonstrable focus on procedural rigour, including compliance with court orders and directions, robust diary management and awareness of sanctions for default.

- Ability to manage a caseload of varying urgency, including time-sensitive applications and hearing preparation, alongside longer-running commercial disputes.

- Experience or clear aptitude for supervising and developing junior fee-earners or paralegals, including task allocation, feedback and quality control.

- Commercial awareness and a client-focused approach, particularly when advising trade, transport, logistics and supply chain clients on strategy, risk and costs.

- Comfortable working in-office for most of the week and engaging closely with Directors and Heads of Department for supervision and training.

- High standards of professional conduct and regulatory compliance (SRA, AML, data protection).

Desirable criteria

- Familiarity with enforcement procedures (including HCEO/writs of control/possession orders) and/or experience coordinating cross-border enforcement support.

- Confidence with routine advocacy and case management hearings, and understanding of when matters should be briefed to counsel.

- Willingness to contribute to embedding a litigation culture of high standards and effective supervision and to mentor more junior joiners as the team grows.

Remuneration and progression

- Competitive salary commensurate with PQE and experience.

- Competitive performance-related bonus scheme.

- Clear progression pathway in an expanding commercial disputes practice (including trade/transport/supply chain disputes, insolvency litigation and arbitration), with scope to move into senior, specialist or team lead roles as the firm and offices develop.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 45,000.00-60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension
Work Location: In person