Defendant Personal Injury Associate / Senior Associate (3 PQE)
| Posting date: | 16 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £50,000.0 to £75,000.0 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Up to £75,000 + bonus |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 15 April 2026 |
| Location: | Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 6HY |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Hays Specialist Recruitment |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 4779943_1773656302 |
Summary
Your new company
Our client is an established national defendant practice that is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate with 3+ PQE to join its highly regarded personal injury department in Manchester or Leeds. The role involves handling a broad portfolio of complex liability and injury matters, with exposure to intermediate, multi‑track and catastrophic injury claims, working with a range of public sector clients. This role is open to all solicitors with defendant personal injury experience.
This is an excellent opportunity to work within a top‑tier defendant personal injury team, recognised for market-leading expertise across a wide spectrum of casualty work and known for managing high-profile, complex, and cross-border cases.
Your new role
As a Defendant Personal Injury Associate or Senior Associate, you will be responsible for:
- Manage a varied caseload of EL/PL and motor-related personal injury matters, including multi‑track and high‑value claims.
- Assist senior lawyers on catastrophic injury claims and complex liability disputes.
- Provide strategic, commercially focused advice to a diverse client base including insurers, construction, transport, retail and leisure sectors.
- Progress both pre‑litigation and litigated files, ensuring efficient management and excellent client service.
- Contribute to the delivery of practical, solutions‑driven outcomes in keeping with the team's modern, innovative approach to claims handling.
What you'll need to succeed
- Qualified solicitor or chartered legal executive with full litigation qualifications.
- Previous experience handling your own caseload of defendant personal injury matters (fast-track, multi-track or catastrophic injury experience will all be considered).
- Defendant catastrophic injury experience is beneficial but not essential.
- Policy coverage experience is desirable.
- Strong technical skills with an ability to apply commercial judgment and pragmatic problem‑solving.
What you'll get in return
This is a fantastic opportunity for qualified defendant personal injury specialists, where you can expect a mixed but challenging caseload of defendant personal injury matters. You will be working as part of a top-tier ranked department, working alongside market-leading, recognised individuals. A salary of up to £75,000 is available for senior associates and up to c. £60,000 for associates. The firm offers hybrid working of up to 3 days WFH per week and an annual bonus is available.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. Alternatively, email or call us now on 0161 228 7770.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk