Solicitor - Contentious Probate & Civil Litigation

Bury & Walkers LLP; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable law firm in Barnsley is seeking an experienced Contentious Probate & Civil Litigation Solicitor to manage a varied caseload of disputes arising from Wills, Trusts, and Estates. The role involves drafting legal documents and providing clear advice throughout litigation while upholding high standards of client care. The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor with 1-3 years’ PQE, experience in civil litigation, and strong negotiation skills. This position offers career development within a supportive environment and a competitive salary package.

Benefits

Discretionary bonus scheme

Supportive team culture

Opportunities for progression

Qualifications

• 1-3 years’ PQE in contentious probate and civil litigation.
• Experience with TOLATA claims.
• Confident communicator with excellent written and verbal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of contentious probate and civil litigation matters.
• Draft legal documents, correspondence, and witness statements.
• Provide clear legal advice to clients.
• Conduct negotiations and engage in alternative dispute resolution.

Skills

Contentious probate

Civil litigation

Negotiation

Client handling

Written communication

Verbal communication

Organisational skills

Proactivity

Education

Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales

Job description

As our firm continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced and passionate Contentious Probate & Civil Litigation Solicitor for our Barnsley office. This is an exciting opportunity for a solicitor with 1-3 years’ PQE and a genuine interest in civil litigation and contentious probate to take the next step in their career and develop the department.

You will play a key role in the continued development of our contentious probate offering, managing your own caseload of disputes arising from Wills, Trusts, and Estates, while working closely with experienced colleagues in a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

The Role

You will be responsible for managing a varied caseload of contentious probate and related civil litigation matters from start to finish, including:

• Will challenges and validity disputes
• Inheritance Act claims
• Executor and trustee disputes
• TOLATA (Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996) claims

Key Responsibilities

• Managing your own caseload of contentious probate and civil litigation matters
• Drafting legal documents, correspondence, pleadings, and witness statements
• Providing clear, practical, and commercially focused legal advice to clients at all stages of litigation
• Conducting negotiations and engaging in alternative dispute resolution where appropriate
• Maintaining high standards of client care, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Dealing with TOLATA claims, including beneficial ownership, sale of property, and occupation rights.

About You

• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales with 1–3 years’ PQE
• Experience in contentious probate, civil litigation and TOLATA claims.
• Confident communicator with excellent written and verbal skills
• Highly organised, proactive, and able to manage competing priorities
• Commercially minded, with strong negotiation and client-handling skills
• Empathetic and professional, with the ability to handle sensitive family disputes

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to develop your career within a growing and well-regarded practice
• Exposure to high-quality, complex contentious probate work
• Supportive team culture with genuine opportunities for progression
• Competitive salary and benefits package, including discretionary bonus scheme

Full time hours Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5.15 pm

Salary will be dependent on experience.

Please send your CV and a covering letter detailing the experience that you can bring to the role. Kindly forward this to Dawn Stones, Practice Manager - [e-mail]