Litigation Solicitor / Chartered Legal Executive (3+ PQE)

Salary: £50,000 - £65,000

Location:  Croydon Area | Hybrid Working & Career Progression

Are you an ambitious Litigation Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive looking to take ownership of a varied caseload whilst developing your career within a supportive and well-established legal team?

Our client is seeking an experienced litigation professional to join their growing Litigation Department. This is an excellent opportunity to work on a broad range of contentious matters, enjoy genuine autonomy, and build your expertise within a firm that places client service and professional development at the heart of everything it does.

If you're looking for a role that offers challenging work, long-term career prospects, and a collaborative working environment, this could be the perfect next step.

The Role

As a key member of the Litigation Department, you will be responsible for managing your own caseload across a diverse range of disputes while providing practical and commercially focused legal advice to clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing litigation matters from initial instruction through to conclusion
• Advising clients on a broad range of contentious legal matters
• Drafting pleadings, witness statements, legal correspondence and court documents
• Representing clients during negotiations, mediations and court proceedings
• Conducting legal research and providing strategic case advice
• Working closely with colleagues to achieve positive client outcomes
• Maintaining accurate case records and ensuring regulatory compliance
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships

Areas of Work

The team handles a varied caseload including:

• Commercial Litigation
• Property Disputes
• Debt Recovery
• Employment-Related Disputes
• Contractual Disputes
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

About You

Essential Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx) in England & Wales
• Minimum 3 years' Post Qualification Experience (PQE)
• Strong experience gained within a UK legal practice
• Excellent understanding of Civil Procedure Rules (CPR)
• Experience managing a litigation caseload independently
• Strong drafting, negotiation and advocacy skills
• Excellent client care and stakeholder management abilities
• Strong organisational and case management skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team
• Proactive, commercial and client-focused approach

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience handling commercial and property disputes
• Exposure to mediation and alternative dispute resolution processes
• Experience using legal case management systems
• Business development and networking experience

What's on Offer?

Salary & Benefits

• £50,000 - £65,000 salary, depending on experience and PQE level
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Company pension scheme
• Ongoing professional development and training
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• Exposure to a high-quality and varied caseload
• Opportunity to develop specialist litigation expertise
• Clear career progression opportunities
• Modern technology and case management systems
• Professional membership support where applicable

Location & Working Arrangements

Croydon Area

This position offers a flexible hybrid working model, combining office-based collaboration with home working, subject to business requirements.

Why Join?

This opportunity offers far more than just another litigation role. You'll join a respected legal team where your expertise will be valued, your professional development actively supported, and your career progression encouraged.

Whether you're looking to broaden your experience, increase your responsibilities, or take the next step towards seniority, this role provides the platform to achieve your goals.

Apply Now

If you are an experienced Litigation Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive seeking a new challenge, we would be delighted to discuss this opportunity with you in confidence.

David Hawthorne-Finch
H-FTS Recruitment

Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Apply today to learn more about this exciting opportunity and take the next step in your legal career.

All enquiries and applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. H-FTS will not disclose your details to our client or any third party without your prior consent.

Senior Accountant / Client Manager

Salary: £45,000 - £60,000 + Benefits

Location: Leeds | Clear Progression to Senior Leadership

Are you an ambitious ACA or ACCA qualified accountant looking for a role that offers more than just compliance work?

Our client, a highly respected independent accountancy practice based in Leeds, is seeking an experienced Senior Accountant / Client Manager to manage a diverse portfolio of owner-managed businesses whilst playing a key role in the continued growth of the firm.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded practice professional who enjoys building long-term client relationships, delivering high-quality advisory services and mentoring junior team members. You'll join a collaborative and forward-thinking environment where your contribution will be recognised and where genuine career progression opportunities exist.

The Opportunity

As Senior Accountant / Client Manager, you will take ownership of a portfolio of SME and owner-managed business clients across a variety of sectors.

You will act as a trusted adviser, providing technical expertise and proactive guidance whilst ensuring exceptional levels of client service.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing a portfolio of business clients and acting as their primary point of contact
• Preparing and reviewing statutory accounts
• Reviewing corporation tax returns and related compliance work
• Preparing and reviewing management accounts
• Providing business advisory and strategic financial guidance
• Supporting client meetings and presenting financial information clearly
• Ensuring compliance with UK accounting and taxation regulations
• Reviewing work completed by junior team members
• Coaching, mentoring and developing trainees and junior staff
• Identifying opportunities to add value and expand services within the client portfolio
• Supporting partners and directors with practice development initiatives

About You

To be successful in this role, you will ideally possess:

Essential Requirements

• ACA or ACCA qualified
• Minimum 4-7 years' UK accountancy practice experience
• Strong experience managing a portfolio of clients within an accountancy practice environment
• Proven experience preparing and reviewing statutory accounts
• Good working knowledge of corporation tax and personal tax compliance
• Excellent client relationship management skills
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities effectively
• Commercial awareness with a proactive problem-solving approach

Technical Skills

Experience with one or more of the following would be advantageous:

• Xero
• Sage
• QuickBooks
• IRIS
• Microsoft Excel (intermediate to advanced level)
• Cloud-based accounting systems

Career Progression

This role offers genuine opportunities for further advancement, including:

• Progression towards Senior Manager level
• Increased responsibility for larger and more complex client portfolios
• Exposure to advisory and business development projects
• Ongoing professional development and technical training
• Leadership and people management opportunities

Salary & Benefits

What's on Offer?

• £45,000 - £60,000 basic salary (depending on experience and qualifications)
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Flexible working options
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Company pension scheme
• Professional subscription fees paid
• Ongoing CPD and professional development support
• Structured career progression pathway
• Modern office environment in Leeds
• Employee wellbeing initiatives
• Regular team social events
• Supportive and collaborative culture
• Exposure to a diverse and interesting client portfolio

Apply Today

If you are an experienced practice accountant seeking a client-focused role with genuine progression opportunities, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion or to apply, please contact:

David Hawthorne-Finch
Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Senior Accountant / Client Manager

Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 + Career Progression + Comprehensive Benefits

Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire | Office-Based | Permanent, Full-Time

Are you an experienced practice accountant looking for a role where your expertise is valued, your client relationships matter, and your career progression is genuinely supported?

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is delighted to be partnering with our client, a well-established and highly regarded independent accountancy practice in Wakefield, to recruit an accomplished Senior Accountant / Client Manager. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded professional to manage a diverse client portfolio, mentor junior team members, and play a key role in the continued growth of a successful practice.

Offering a supportive environment, direct client exposure, and clear progression opportunities, this role is ideal for an ambitious accountant seeking their next long-term career move.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Accountant / Client Manager, you will be responsible for managing a portfolio of SME clients across a range of sectors, delivering high-quality accounting and advisory services while building trusted client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing a portfolio of limited companies, sole traders and partnerships
• Preparing and reviewing statutory accounts
• Preparing and reviewing management accounts
• Preparing corporation tax returns
• Overseeing VAT returns and compliance activities
• Providing proactive advice and support to clients
• Attending client meetings and building long-term relationships
• Reviewing work completed by junior members of the team
• Supporting, mentoring and developing trainee and junior accountants
• Identifying opportunities to add value and improve client service delivery

What We're Looking For

Essential Requirements

• ACA, ACCA qualified or Qualified by Experience (QBE)
• Minimum 5 years' UK accountancy practice experience 
• Strong experience preparing and reviewing statutory accounts
• Experience managing a client portfolio within a UK practice environment
• Good understanding of UK corporation tax and VAT requirements
• Excellent client relationship and communication skills
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines

Technical Skills

Experience with some or all of the following would be advantageous:

• Xero
• QuickBooks
• Sage
• Cloud accounting systems
• Microsoft Excel
• Accounts production software
• Tax compliance software

Career Development & Progression

Our client is committed to investing in their people and offers genuine opportunities for professional growth, including:

• Progression towards Client Manager, Senior Manager or Practice Management responsibilities
• Ongoing professional development
• Increased client advisory exposure
• Mentoring and leadership opportunities
• Involvement in business growth initiatives

Reward & Benefits Package

In addition to a competitive salary, our client offers:

• £45,000 - £55,000+ DOE salary depending on experience
• Clear career progression pathway
• Professional development support
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Company pension scheme
• Free on-site parking
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• Regular training and development opportunities
• Long-term career stability within a growing practice

Apply Today

If you are an experienced practice accountant looking for a rewarding opportunity with real progression potential, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion or to apply, please contact:

David Hawthorne-Finch
Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Confidentiality Notice

H-FTS respects your privacy. All applications and enquiries will be handled with the strictest confidence. Your details will not be disclosed to our client without your prior consent.

Employment Lawyer

Salary: £55,000 – £85,000 + Benefits

Location: Tonbridge Area

High-Growth Team with Clear Progression Path

Are you an Employment Lawyer looking to join a growing, highly respected team where you can shape your career, develop your expertise, and work on a diverse and interesting caseload? This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-regarded Employment practice advising a broad range of clients across multiple sectors.

Our client is expanding its Employment team and is seeking lawyers at all levels of PQE, offering a rare opportunity to grow within a supportive, partner-led environment that values technical excellence, commercial thinking, and long-term development.

The Role: Broad, Commercial Employment Law Practice

As an Employment Lawyer, you will work across a wide range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, primarily acting for employers while also handling complex employee claims.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advising employers on day-to-day HR and employment law issues
• Handling Employment Tribunal litigation, including discrimination, unfair dismissal, and whistleblowing claims
• Drafting and negotiating settlement agreements, contracts, and workplace policies
• Supporting corporate teams with employment aspects of transactions (TUPE, due diligence, etc.)
• Providing strategic and commercial HR advisory support
• Working across sectors including:
  • Agriculture
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Education
  • Healthcare
• Delivering clear, pragmatic, and solutions-focused legal advice
• Supporting business development, networking, and client growth initiatives

Team & Environment

You will join a highly regarded Employment team led by an experienced and respected Partner, known for its strong client relationships and commercial approach.

The team offers:

• A collaborative and supportive culture
• Exposure to a diverse range of sectors and clients (public, private, and not-for-profit)
• Strong emphasis on technical development and career progression
• Opportunities to work closely with senior lawyers on complex matters

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)
• Experience in Employment Law (all PQE levels considered)
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Employment Tribunal procedure
  • HR advisory work
  • Employment contracts and policies
• Excellent drafting, communication, and negotiation skills
• Ability to provide commercial, pragmatic legal advice
• Strong client-facing and relationship-building skills

Desirable:

• Experience in corporate support work (TUPE, transactions, etc.)
• Exposure to both claimant and respondent work
• Interest in business development and networking

Personal attributes:

• Proactive and commercially minded
• Strong team player with a collaborative approach
• Confident working with a wide range of clients and sectors
• Passion for delivering high-quality client service

Career Progression

• Clear opportunities for promotion and development at all levels of PQE
• Exposure to high-quality, varied employment work from day one
• Strong support from senior lawyers and leadership team
• Opportunity to build a strong personal client portfolio
• Active involvement in business development and firm growth

Salary & Benefits

• £55,000 – £85,000 salary (dependent on experience)
• Performance-related bonus
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Private healthcare
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Generous holiday allowance
• Structured training and professional development programme
• Supportive, friendly and career-focused environment

Location & Working Arrangements

• Tonbridge area office
• Hybrid working model with flexibility
• Full-time role, with openness to flexible arrangements

Next Steps

To discuss this opportunity in confidence, please contact:

David Hawthorne-Finch
Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Alternatively, apply now for further details and a confidential discussion.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. We will always obtain your express permission before sharing your details with our client.

Criminal Defence Lawyer

Salary: £45,000 – £70,000 + Benefits

Location: Tonbridge Area

Specialist Caseload with Private Client Work & Real Career Progression

Are you a Criminal Defence Lawyer looking to take the next step into a more specialist, high-quality and client-focused practice? This is an excellent opportunity to join a respected and well-established firm representing privately funded clients across a broad and often complex range of criminal and regulatory matters.

Our client offers a rare opportunity to develop specialist expertise in niche areas of criminal law while working within a supportive, growing team that values autonomy, client care, and long-term development.

The Role: Diverse and Specialist Criminal Defence Work

As a Criminal Defence Lawyer, you will advise and represent clients from investigation through to prosecution across a varied caseload.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advising and representing clients at all stages of the criminal justice process
• Managing a caseload of privately funded criminal defence matters
• Handling a broad range of offences from minor to serious criminal allegations
• Working on regulatory and specialist criminal matters, including:
  • Wildlife offences
  • Firearms and licensing matters
  • Animal welfare cases
  • Environmental offences
  • Agricultural and farming-related prosecutions
  • Country sports-related matters
• Handling firearms licensing appeals and related advisory work
• Providing clear, strategic, and client-focused legal advice

Team & Working Environment

You will join a well-regarded and established legal team with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality defence work.

The environment is:

• Supportive and collaborative
• Client-focused and commercially aware
• Professionally structured with strong leadership support
• Growing and open to specialist development

This is a unique opportunity to develop expertise in a highly specialist area of criminal law while building a strong personal caseload.

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive
• Experience in Criminal Defence Law (all levels of PQE considered)
• Strong understanding of criminal procedure and case management
• Ability to handle client-facing work under pressure
• Excellent communication, advocacy, and advisory skills
• Strong organisational and case handling ability

Desirable:

• Experience or interest in regulatory and rural crime work, including:
  • Firearms law
  • Wildlife offences
  • Environmental or agricultural crime
• Experience with privately funded criminal defence work
• Interest in developing a specialist niche practice area

Personal attributes:

• Calm and resilient under pressure
• Strong client care focus, particularly with vulnerable or high-profile clients
• Proactive and detail-oriented approach
• Able to work independently while contributing to a team environment

Salary & Benefits

• £45,000 – £70,000 salary (dependent on experience)
• Competitive benefits package
• Opportunity to develop a specialist criminal defence practice
• Exposure to high-quality privately funded work
• Supportive and collaborative team culture
• Structured professional development and career progression
• Central office location in Tonbridge area
• Strong leadership and mentoring support

Location & Working Arrangements

• Tonbridge area office
• Full-time, office-based role with flexibility where appropriate
• Access to a varied regional and specialist client base

Next Steps

To discuss this opportunity in confidence, please contact:

David Hawthorne-Finch
Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Alternatively, apply now for further details and a confidential discussion.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. We will always obtain your express permission before sharing your details with our client.