Litigation Associate

Top International Law Firm | London | Five Days Per Week On Site | Contract

NQ-10 PQE

Accuflex is working with a top international law firm to recruit two Litigation Associates to support a Government client on a major public inquiry.

This is a strong opportunity for a litigation solicitor who has genuine substantive experience of public inquiry work, and who wants to spend the next six months and beyond on a single high-profile inquiry from the inside.

The successful candidates will work alongside the instructed law firm's inquiry team, effectively exclusively on the inquiry, with a particular focus on evidence analysis, disclosure strategy and witness evidence. This role will suit someone who already understands how inquiries operate procedurally, and who is ready to take ownership of workstreams rather than sit within a wider review team.

THE ROLE

The work is expected to include:

• Analysis of inquiry evidence and the issues arising from it
• Disclosure, including strategy, scoping and the handling of sensitive material
• Preparing and reviewing witness statements
• Drafting and settling responses to Rule 9 requests
• Legal analysis of inquiry material and advice on emerging issues
• Chronologies, case preparation and hearing support
• Client care, case preparation and strategic input on active matters
• Working closely with senior lawyers on the inquiry's core workstreams

There may also be the opportunity to supervise and take forward work currently being undertaken by the paralegal team.

THE CANDIDATE

Candidates must be qualified solicitors with substantive, hands-on public inquiry experience. This is not a role for someone whose only exposure to inquiry work has been a short-term disclosure or review project; the successful candidates will need to understand how an inquiry runs, what a Rule 9 request requires, and how disclosure obligations operate in practice.

Security clearance is required for this instruction. Candidates must be British nationals and hold a valid British passport. This is a non-negotiable condition of the role.

We are particularly interested in speaking with candidates who have:

• Qualification as a solicitor in England & Wales
• c.NQ-10 PQE, although directly relevant experience will be more important than PQE alone
• Substantive experience on a statutory public inquiry, whether for the inquiry itself, a Government department or a core participant
• British nationality and a valid British passport
• Availability to work on site in London five days per week
• Practical experience of disclosure and evidence analysis in a contentious or inquiry context
• Experience preparing or reviewing witness statements
• Strong client care skills, particularly on sensitive and high-profile matters
• Good drafting, analytical and case preparation skills
• The confidence to work closely with senior lawyers while also taking ownership of matters
• A calm, practical and commercially aware approach

HIGHLY DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

The following would be advantageous:

• Experience on the COVID-19 or Infected Blood Inquiries
• Experience on other major inquiries, including the Post Office, Grenfell Tower, Thirlwall or Undercover Policing Inquiries
• Current or previously held security clearance
• Experience working alongside or within a Government legal team
• Experience supervising paralegal or review teams

WHY APPLY?

This is an excellent opportunity to work at the centre of a major public inquiry, on the substantive legal issues rather than at the margins.

The role offers:

• Exposure to inquiry work of national significance
• Close working with experienced senior lawyers in a specialist inquiry team
• An initial six-month engagement with a strong likelihood of extension
• Strong technical development in public inquiry practice
• A defined workstream and genuine ownership of it
• A supportive team environment with realistic expectations around workload
• The opportunity to build a long-term specialism in public inquiries

LOCATION

London - five days per week on site.

Accutrainee and Accuflex, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in equal opportunities for all and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, ages, genders, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations and abilities. Our recruitment process is designed to be fair, transparent and free from discrimination.