Charles Russell Speechlys
NQ - 1 PQE Associate - Construction, Engineering & Projects
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NQ - 1 PQE Associate - Construction, Engineering & Projects
We have an opportunity for an NQ to 1 PQE Associate to join our Construction, Engineering & Projects team in London.
The team is a highly reputable full-service construction law team, providing transactional advice through to dispute avoidance and dispute resolution advice relating to large-scale construction and engineering projects in the UK and internationally. The team is well-regarded when it comes to acting for clients across a wide range of business sectors with a particular emphasis on real estate developers, housebuilders, property investment companies, contractors, sub-contractors and major engineering consultancies. Our transaction advice includes advising on the procurement of construction projects, all forms of domestic and international construction contracts, and ancillary documentation such as consultant appointments, trade contracts, collateral warranties, parent company guarantees and performance bonds. Core dispute avoidance and dispute resolution services include advising on all forms of dispute resolution (adjudication / arbitration / litigation / mediation / expert determination) and giving strategic advice to clients to ensure that their dispute is resolved as cost effectively as possible whilst maintaining the best possible outcome.
This is a great opportunity to work across a wide variety of contentious and non-contentious work streams, with current growth in the contentious work space. We are particularly interested in experience of working on both UK adjudications and Technology and Construction Court (TCC) Litigation. The new joiner can be expected to have a significant level of responsibility and client contact.
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I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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Roles and Responsibilities
Acting for a wide range of national and international clients on complex and high value construction disputes, including UK adjudications, arbitrations and TCC litigation.
Undertaking dispute advisory work including ADR (for example, mediation).
Dealing with a wide range of matters, such as final account and delay claims, quality of build claims, construction insolvency, bond claims, ACM cladding, professional indemnity and other insurance-related claims.
Advising government bodies, sponsors, funders, developers, employers, operators, constructors, subcontractors and professional teams in relation to dispute avoidance and resolution mechanisms, together with project procurement techniques (including facilities management).
Working closely with existing clients to maintain and develop relationships, acting as a trusted advisor capable of providing timely and quality advice whilst managing expectations.
Working collaboratively as a cohesive team, to execute large-scale, high-value, client matters to the highest standard.
Assisting with drafting, negotiating and advising on construction contracts, consultant appointments, collateral warranties, financial securities (including bonds and guarantees), letters of intent and reliance letters.
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Contributing to group knowledge and know-how initiatives.
Complying with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations, and Principles.
Skills and Experience
Be an England and Wales qualified solicitor at 1 PQE or be due to qualify by September 2026 (NQ).
Experience of contentious construction work, and of particular interest, exposure to working on both UK adjudications and/or TCC litigation in the context of fire safety related litigation and/or arbitration or any other forms of dispute avoidance.
Confidence in both verbal and written communication with a diverse range of clients.
Demonstrate excellent time management skills and stakeholder management.
Have the ability to develop effective working relationships at all levels, being able to fit in with the Firm’s culture and the existing team.
Able to work effectively, both autonomously and as part of a team as needed.
Have a flexible approach and willing to go the extra mile.
Competencies
· Client service
· Integrity and respect
· Interpersonal skills
· Inclusive
· Delivery focus
· Client-centric
For a detailed specification please download the job description in the documents section of this page.
Please note we are not currently accepting agency CVs for this position. If you would like to make an application, please do so directly. Clicking 'apply' will direct you to the application tracking system, hosted for us by Reach-ATS.com.
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