Hays Specialist Recruitment
Shipping Solicitor/Associate
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3DX
Key information
- Pay
- £52,000 to £62,000 a year
- Hours
- Full-time
- Contract
- Permanent
- Workplace arrangement
- Hybrid - 2 days remote
- Posted date
- 21 Oct 2026
- Closing date
- 20 Nov 2026
About this role
Your new company
An excellent opportunity has arisen to join the Newcastle office of a leading national law firm within its highly regarded Shipping and Marine practice.
The team advises a broad range of clients across the shipping sector, including P&I clubs, vessel owners and operators, and handles a mix of contentious and commercial maritime matters.
Due to continued growth, the firm is looking to recruit a Shipping Solicitor / Associate to join its Newcastle team.
Your new role
You will work alongside experienced shipping lawyers on a varied caseload, with particular exposure to disputes involving vessels, tankers and liquid and gas cargoes.
Your work will include
- Charterparty disputes
- Bill of Lading disputes
- Cargo contamination and shortage claims
- Unpaid hire and demurrage claims
- Off-spec bunker disputes
- Vessel arrests
- Ship sale and purchase matters
- Sanctions checks and related advice
- Preparing and reviewing standard contractual terms and conditions
- Broader contentious and commercial shipping matters
The position provides the opportunity to work directly with established clients within
What you'll need to succeed
You will be a qualified solicitor or legal executive with relevant litigation or shipping experience.
Previous maritime and contentious experience would be preferred, although candidates with strong transferable disputes experience and a genuine interest in developing within shipping law may also be considered.
You will ideally demonstrate
- Strong litigation and dispute resolution skills
- Experience managing matters independently as well as collaboratively
- Good drafting and analytical skills
- Excellent organisational and time-management abilities
- Strong client-facing and communication skills
- The ability to manage competing deadlines
- Commercial awareness
- An interest in networking, business development and growing client relationships
What you'll get in return
You will join a well-established shipping practice offering exposure to specialist and varied maritime work and an impressive client base.
The role offers
- Salary of up to £62,000, depending on experience
- Hybrid working with 3 days per week in the Newcastle office
- Exposure to specialist shipping and maritime disputes
- A mix of contentious and commercial work
- Direct contact with P&I clubs, vessel owners and operators
- Strong scope for continued technical and career development
- The opportunity to develop within an established national marine practice
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. Alternatively, email or call us now on 0161 228 7770.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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