Buckles Solicitors LLP is an award-winning firm, that provides world-class client experience and services on a comprehensive range of legal services to both businesses and individuals in the UK and internationally.

Delivering effective and cost-efficient legal solutions from our offices based in Cambridge, London, Nottingham, Peterborough, Stamford, Bristol, Swindon, with international presence in Paris and Milan.

We recognise that all this is possible due to our team of highly dedicated, enthusiastic professionals across our locations. We pride ourselves on providing a positive work environment where independent thinking and new ideas are actively encouraged and where every member of the team genuinely can make a difference.

Buckles carries the LawNet Mark of Excellence and is Investor in People Gold accredited.

As a result of continuing growth, we are looking to recruit a specialist Contentious Probate Solicitor to join our team. Ideally, we would like the successful candidate to have 5-10 years PQE and a strong understanding with extensive knowledge of Contentious Probate law.

This position is office based with some working from home options. Our new role in the Contentious Probate team is full-time – 37.5 hours per week. We are flexible on office location for the successful candidate. 

Contentious Probate Solicitor role:

The team is recognised for its expertise in the Legal 500 and the Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Guide to the World’s leading Private Wealth Advisers. As a dedicated Contentious Trusts and Probate Team, the Team has three Full Members of ACTAPS (the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists).

The team acts for individual clients both bringing and defending claims across a range of contentious trusts and probate issues such as I(PFD)A claims, will challenges (capacity, lack of knowledge and approval and so on), trust disputes, executor and trustee issues, construction and rectification, proprietary estoppel, court of protection and care fee disputes to name but some of our core areas.

Buckles has a strong international team which results in our involvement in some cross border claims with a European element.

The team continues to be very successful, providing a supportive and friendly team environment and the platform to develop both legal knowledge and career.

Responsibility of a Contentious Probate Solicitor:

• Work as part of the Dispute Resolution team to deliver on agreed cases and support the wider team as required.
• Engaged in a broad spectrum of contentious probate work including bringing and defending,
  • o I(PFD)A 1975 claims
  • o Construction and rectification claims
  • o Court of Protection disputes
  • o Executor disputes
  • o Trustee disputes
  • o Proprietary estoppel claims
• Challenges to Wills
• Attract work according to the needs of the firm and raise the profile of the firm within the chosen marketplace and conduct oneself in business and personal life in a manner which does not adversely affect the reputation of the firm.
• Take part in departmental meetings, appraisals and any other meetings as required.
• Be seen to deliver and support management, but not exclusively, in the following areas:
• Working with other team members on a variety of cases
• Delivery of individual targets with supervision
• Projecting the image that the firm wishes to project
• Identifying and undertaking practice development activity to promote the firm, specifically the contentious probate specialism, caseload and client base of the firm
• Ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and building appropriate relationships with clients.
• Adherence to agreed firm standards and quality procedures and management systems including the maintenance of neat and proper files on all matters to meet ISO standards, so that they can easily be picked up and dealt with by other members of the Department together with any other instructions set out by your Head of Department. Compliance with financial procedures and accounting rules.
• Undertake and deliver work in a commercially effective manner.
• Delegate and cross-refer work effectively to appropriate personnel.
• Continually develop technical and non-technical skills to meet client and firm requirements and demonstrate continuous improvement in all areas of work

Skills and experience required:

• You will preferably be an experienced Contentious Probate Solicitor but applications for less experienced candidates with an interest in and aptitude for this area also considered
• You will have good technical knowledge relating to the role or be capable of assimilating knowledge whilst undertaking the role
• You will be a team player with strong communication skills and attention to detail
• Pro-active and takes the initiative
• Personable and confident, able to build relations with people at all levels
• Ability to effectively manage own workload

Reward and development:

Buckles recognise the success of every employee; working with you to ensure you have what you need to maximise your potential and develop your career.

Alongside a host of development, professionally and personally, we offer an incredible benefits package for all roles, some of which are listed below.

• 30 days annual leave + all UK Bank Holiday + an additional day for your birthday each year (or closest working day to your birthday).
• Additional annual leave on Christmas Eve (1 full day) and New Years Eve (half day PM) if these days fall on a normal working day.
• Private healthcare options for you and your family – via Bupa.
• Free healthcare cash back plans for you and your family.
• Enhanced pension – 5% matched contribution by Buckles.
• Ability to buy additional holiday – up to 5 days per year.
• Group Life Assurance – 4 x your annual salary.

To apply:

Please submit an up-to-date CV demonstrating your skills and experience that are relevant for this role.

We are an equal opportunity and disability-inclusive employer, and value diversity across the firm. We do not discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or parental or caring status.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to the recruitment process. If you would prefer to discuss this confidentially, please email careers@buckles-law.co.uk and add the job title in the subject line of the email.