Specialist Litigator (Employment)

Make UK; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading business support organization in the UK is looking for an experienced Employment Tribunal Litigator to join their Employment Law team. This role involves managing complex tribunal cases, providing strategic legal advice, and delivering excellent client service. Candidates should be qualified solicitors, barristers, or have equivalent experience with strong knowledge of UK employment law. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and benefits, including flexible hours and health cover.

Benefits

Free parking

Meal service on site

Flexible hours

Health cover

Matched pension contributions up to 8%

Life assurance

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor or equivalent experience required.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and tribunal procedure is essential.
• Excellent drafting, analytical and negotiation skills needed.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of Employment Tribunal claims.
• Draft pleadings and conduct advocacy at hearings.
• Provide strategic legal advice to members.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Drafting skills

Knowledge of UK employment law

Ability to manage diverse caseload

Education

Qualified solicitor, barrister or FCILEx

Job description

Overview

Home-based with weekly attendance at Bristol, Hook or Birmingham. Permanent. Full Time. Competitive salaries and excellent benefits. Make UK is seeking an experienced Employment Tribunal Litigator to join our Employment Law team. This is a hands-on litigation role for a technically strong employment lawyer who enjoys managing complex tribunal cases, advising employers pragmatically, and delivering excellent client service.

You will manage contentious employment matters from start to finish, provide strategic legal advice to our members, and represent employers in Employment Tribunal proceedings across a broad range of claims.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of Employment Tribunal claims from pre-claim stage through to final hearing
• Draft pleadings, witness statements, case management documents and tribunal bundles
• Conduct advocacy at preliminary hearings and, where appropriate, final hearings
• Liaise with ACAS on early conciliation and settlement negotiations
• Oversee disclosure, evidence preparation and overall litigation strategy
• Provide clear, practical advice on complex employment law issues including discrimination, unfair dismissal, whistleblowing, redundancy, contractual disputes and worker status
• Assess litigation risk and advise members on strategy, prospects and outcomes
• Work closely with HR, senior leaders and other business units to support member retention and recruitment
• Assist with identifying and supporting opportunities for additional fee-paying work
• Support the Head of HR & Legal and contribute to wider organisational objectives as required

Wider employment law support

• Provide timely advice to members on employment law and employee relations matters (by telephone, in writing and in person, including via the National Advice Line)
• Draft and review contracts of employment, policies, procedures and related documentation
• Maintain a high level of professional knowledge through ongoing research and training

Requirements

Qualifications & experience

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or FCILEx (or equivalent experience)
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and tribunal procedure
• Excellent drafting, analytical and negotiation skills
• Commercially aware with the ability to explain complex issues to non-lawyers
• Comfortable managing a diverse caseload under pressure

With over 125 years of experience, Make UK is a leading provider of essential business support and a champion for manufacturing industry in the UK. Make UK has the close ear of Government and is a trusted provider of essential services for world leading manufacturing companies across the country. Everything we do is designed to inspire British manufacturers to compete, innovate and grow.

Make UK staff enjoy a good benefits package and values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Benefits to include, but not limited to: Free parking, meal service on site, no bank holiday/weekend work, flexible hours, health cover, matched pension contributions up to 8%, and life assurance.

We are committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community and we recognise the contribution that Service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation and have pledged to support this by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

Our Values at Make UK: Inclusivity & Diversity, Integrity, Innovation, & Collaboration

How to apply

Apply if this position interests you, and you would like to learn more or explore other available jobs that could also match your skill set, please apply today or email [e-mail]

Make UK

UK [phone] [e-mail] See all Make UK's jobs

Bio

Make UK is a leading advocate for UK manufacturers, championing growth, innovation, and resilience in the sector. With a history spanning over 130 years, the organisation has supported businesses of all sizes, from ambitious start-ups to global industry leaders.Through campaigning, sector expertise, and a comprehensive range of business services, Make UK helps manufacturers navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Its extensive network fosters collaboration across regional and national communities, enabling businesses to share knowledge and drive industry progress.Make UK provides deep expertise in critical areas such as skills development, policy advocacy, and compliance. Its renowned apprenticeship training programs equip the next generation with the skills needed to support the sector’s future.Committed to shaping the landscape of UK manufacturing, Make UK continues to influence policy, support innovation, and empower businesses to thrive in an evolving industrial environment.