Legal Counsel - Disputes & Commercial

Key Responsibilities:

• Assisting with Letters before Action and pre-action correspondence. 

• Advising on the merits of a legal dispute;

• Prepping for and/or attending mediation sessions;

• Drafting defences;

• Drafting witness statements;

• Preparing for and attending final hearings; directions hearings; case management conferences;

• Instructing and liaising with Counsel prior to a hearing; 

• Dealing with settlement agreements;

• Adhering to court deadlines;

• Resolving queries in relation to the Consumer Rights Act;

• Liaising with the business in relation to the legal claims.

In addition to dispute management, you will also provide support and advice to the Head of Legal and the business on a variety of commercial legal matters including contract drafting, negotiation and regulatory and compliance issues. 

You’ll need two years of experience which includes dispute resolution. You will ideally have some in-house retail experience, and you'll need to have a demonstrable desire to work in-house and a genuine commitment to be the very best you can.  You will have good experience of dealing with disputes and claims, including drafting documents and adhering to court deadlines. You will  preferably have a good understanding of data privacy and consumer laws. In addition you will be a ‘hands on’ self-starter and be able to operate at all levels within a fast paced but rewarding environment.

What can we offer you?

Wickes is one of the UK's favourite home improvement retailers. Having opened its first store in 1972 it now operates from around 240 sites across the UK.  It is currently owned by Travis Perkins but the strategy remains to demerge Wickes. 

The successful applicant will participate in the next stage of Wickes’ exciting journey to become a listed company and have the opportunity to help set up our in-house legal team and shape the legal team strategy.