Arcadis is the world's leading company delivering sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets.
We are more than 36, people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life. Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can solve the worlds most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.
Role description:
In-house dispute resolution and claims handling for UK & Ireland businesses. This role will be based in the United Kingdom preferably in Bristol Office.
Reports to Senior Litigation Business Partner.
Role accountabilities:
1. Delivery of accurate, commercial, timely, and cost-effective legal advice to resolve complaints and disputes in order to avoid margin erosion and to minimize reputational risk
2. Managing a portfolio of claims and disputes: Professional negligence / professional indemnity claims arise in all areas of the business but in particular from design and engineering, project management, programme management, and cost management services. Fee claims, debt recovery, and project disputes. Procurement issues especially under public sector contracts. Insurance coverage disputes. Contentious health and safety and other regulatory matters including prosecutions and other forms of enforcement
3. Claims handling will typically involve some or all of the following: Initial project review. Assembling and leading an internal claims team with colleagues from project and bid teams, business unit management, and enabling functions (Finance, People Services, Risk) Securing documents and identifying potential witnesses. Setting strategy for dispute resolution Notifications to insurers. Instructing and managing external solicitors, experts, and other consultants as required. Controlling external legal and other costs. Maintaining claims records. Reporting to management, brokers, and insurers. Managing litigation and other forms of dispute resolution.
4. Advice to project and bid teams on contractual and general legal issues
5. Provision of strategic and commercial advice on disputes to the UK&I businesses and management and to Global Business Area (GBA) and Global management.
6. Assisting the UK&I General Counsel to design and deliver the UK&I claims and disputes strategy including: Preparation and delivery of training. Preparation of internal guidance notes and materials. statistical claims analysis. advice on risk management
Qualifications & Experience:
7. First degree or equivalent, preferably in law
8. Solicitor with current practicing certificate in England and Wales
9. 2 years + PQE in dispute resolution ideally both private practice and in-house
10. Knowledge and experience of: Professional negligence and/or construction and engineering-related litigation, ideally in the Technology and Construction Court Construction Act adjudication Mediation Construction-related health and safety law and enforcement
11. Knowledge and experience of some or all of the following would be an advantage: Environmental law and enforcement Company law EU law and law of other UK and non-UK jurisdictions Advocacy
Main Working Contacts:
12. UK&I LCP team members;
13. GBA Legal Directors and members of other Countries and Global LCP teams
14. Global Insurance Director
15. UK&I GBA management
16. UK&I commercial and risk managers
17. UK&I project and bid teams
18. UK Company Secretary
19. External solicitors, counsel, and experts