Legal Counsel

LEGAL COUNSEL Cheltenham | Hybrid Working Available | Permanent, Full Time The Opportunity Marley Risk Consultants is a market-leading specialist in the management of complex building and latent defect insurance claims. Working at the intersection of insurance, construction and dispute resolution, we help insurers, businesses and consumers navigate technically challenging matters and achieve fair, effective and commercially sound outcomes. As our business continues to grow, we are looking to appoint an experienced lawyer to join us as Legal Counsel. Legal Counsel. This is a distinctive opportunity for a lawyer who enjoys solving complex legal problems and wants to apply those skills in a strategic, commercially focused environment. Unlike a traditional litigation role, your focus will not be on conducting formal proceedings. Instead, you will work as a trusted adviser to our Claims team, providing clear and pragmatic legal advice on potential recovery opportunities involving developers and other responsible third parties. You will analyse liability, assess legal and evidential issues, advise on recovery strategy and support constructive engagement intended to achieve timely and commercially sensible resolutions. Alongside your principal focus on insurance recoveries, you will also play an important role in the continued development of our wider dispute resolution offering. Working with established dispute resolution schemes and their stakeholders, you will support the investigation and resolution of consumer and commercial disputes, helping parties reach fair, balanced and pragmatic outcomes through effective dispute resolution processes. As this area of the business continues to develop, it will become an increasingly significant part of the role. You will work alongside some of the market’s most experienced claims professionals, combining legal expertise with deep technical and commercial knowledge to resolve complex matters. In addition, you will have the opportunity to support the wider business on corporate and commercial legal matters. This will suit a lawyer who enjoys variety and is willing to broaden their contribution by assisting with contracts, projects and other legal issues arising within a growing specialist business. Key Responsibilities Insurance Recoveries and Claims Advisory Advise the Claims team on potential recovery opportunities arising from building and latent defect insurance claims. Analyse potential causes of action against developers, contractors, consultants, professional advisers and other third parties, including claims arising in contract, statute and tort. Work closely with individual claims handlers to develop legally robust and commercially effective recovery strategies. Advise on legal merits, limitation, causation, recoverable loss, evidential issues and litigation risk. Identify the most appropriate legal and commercial avenues through which to secure meaningful engagement from potentially responsible parties. Draft and review correspondence intended to advance recovery discussions and promote early resolution. Support negotiations with developers and other third parties, including without prejudice discussions, mediation and other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Provide clear recommendations that enable claims professionals and senior stakeholders to make informed commercial decisions. Monitor relevant legal developments and share practical guidance with colleagues where appropriate. Dispute Resolution Investigate and analyse consumer and commercial disputes referred through dispute resolution schemes. Review contracts, technical evidence, expert reports and other relevant material to identify the key legal and factual issues in dispute. Engage directly with consumers, businesses and other stakeholders to facilitate constructive dialogue and resolution. Apply legal principles, regulatory requirements and established dispute resolution processes to support fair, balanced and well-reasoned outcomes. Prepare clear, concise and legally robust written determinations, recommendations and other dispute resolution documentation. Promote negotiation, mediation and other appropriate methods of dispute resolution where appropriate. Contribute to the continued development of Marley’s dispute resolution services and wider strategic offering. Corporate and Commercial Support Assist, on an ad hoc basis, with the drafting, review and negotiation of commercial agreements. Provide practical legal support on business initiatives, projects and operational matters. Assist with wider corporate, commercial and governance matters as required. Work flexibly and collaboratively in support of the business’s continued growth. Essential Requirements Qualified as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (FCILEX) and authorised to practise in England and Wales. A minimum of five years’ post-qualification experience. Substantial experience of insurance recovery litigation, construction disputes or other complex commercial disputes. Strong knowledge of contractual, statutory and tortious causes of action. Experience advising on recovery or dispute strategy before the commencement of formal proceedings. Experience investigating, analysing and resolving complex disputes. A sound understanding of the Civil Procedure Rules, relevant Pre-Action Protocols and litigation strategy. Demonstrable experience of negotiation, mediation and other methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Strong commercial judgement and the ability to translate legal analysis into practical recommendations. The confidence and independence to take ownership of legal issues and express a clear, reasoned view. The ability to build trusted relationships with claims professionals, technical specialists, senior stakeholders and external advisers. Excellent legal analysis, drafting and communication skills. The ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and concisely to non-lawyers. A proactive