Junior Lawyer

Junior Lawyer

Contract Type: Permanent | Full – Time

Location: London, Bradford, Chatham or Petersfield. Occasional travel to other locations may be required.

Working Pattern: Hybrid—typically a couple of days a week in the office. Part-time or flexible arrangements are considered to support work-life balance. A fear of losing your current working flexibility shouldn't hinder you from applying for new opportunities, which is why we aim to match your existing flexible working arrangements where possible.

What We Offer

• Holidays: 25 days, increasing to 30 days with service
• Pension: Up to 10% employer contribution
• Family Leave: Enhanced maternity (post-probation) and 4 weeks paternity leave
• Workations: Work abroad for up to 20 days a year (approved countries)
• Volunteering: 2 paid days to support a charity of your choice
• Learning & Development: Access to LinkedIn Learning for all colleagues
• Financial Wellbeing: Free Snoop Premium subscription
• Connection & Culture: Quarterly socials, in-person and virtual company updates
• Healthcare: Option to join Private Medical Insurance
• Bonus: Discretionary annual bonus

The Role

Are you a newly qualified solicitor or early-career lawyer with a passion for financial services law? This is your opportunity to step into a dynamic, fast-paced environment where your legal expertise will directly support innovative product launches, digital customer journeys, and regulatory compliance. As Legal Counsel, you’ll play a key role in reducing legal risk across the Group, advising on everything from consumer credit agreements to commercial contracts and litigation. You’ll work closely with stakeholders across the business—product, compliance, marketing, and more—helping shape the future of financial services while growing your legal career in a supportive, collaborative team.

You and your Team

A high-performing legal team at the heart of a purpose-driven financial services group. Led by the Head of Legal – Financial Services, we combine deep regulatory knowledge with a commercial mindset to deliver practical, business-focused legal solutions. We thrive on collaboration—within our team and across the business—and we’re passionate about mentoring, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other’s growth. Whether we’re advising on cutting-edge digital products or navigating complex regulatory landscapes, we do it with integrity, curiosity, and a shared commitment to excellence.

As a Junior Lawyer, you will:

• Give technically accurate advice on financial services law and regulation.
• Provide timely, cost-effective legal support for new digital product launches, existing offerings, and closed books.
• Draft amendments to consumer credit agreements including notices of variation.
• Assist the Head of Legal and Senior Lawyer in implementing any remediation activity, for example relating to post contractual consumer credit documentation.
• Advise on financial services law and regulation in respect of third-party commercial contracts such as debt sale arrangements and Consumer Duty repapering.
• Advising on disputes and managing litigation.
• Work alongside key stakeholders in particular the product’s team, compliance, complaints, operations (collections and recoveries), marketing, data protection and financial crime.
• Risk reporting, other team reporting and horizon scanning.
• Attendance at trade body forums (UK Finance, FLA) and supporting the business with formal feedback to trade bodies on financial services related matters such as new proposed legislation or regulatory consultations.
• Escalating significant risks to team, line management and the business where appropriate in a timely manner.
• Participating in team discussions and collaborating with the wider Legal and Company Secretarial team.

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Excellent analytical skills with close attention to detail.
• Solicitor or Barrister holding practicing certificate
• NQ to 3 years PQE of consumer credit and financial services practice; familiarity with FCA regulation. .
• Knowledge of UK laws, regulations and regulatory guidance affecting the Group’s operations and experience of advising on consumer credit law, regulatory perimeter issues, and broader financial services regulation.
• Excellent drafting and written advocacy skills.
• Experience in broad problem analysis, validated through engagement with operational stakeholders to ensure accurate issue identification

Desirable:

• Experience of payment services, mortgages, savings and financial crime

Offers are subject to satisfactory background checks, including credit, fraud, and employment references.

Who we are

At Vanquis, we have a simple purpose: to deliver caring banking so our customers can make the most of life’s opportunities. Established in 1880, we’re now a FTSE All Share company and leading specialist bank. We lend responsibly, providing tailored products and services to over 1.69 million UK customers. We see ourselves as the bank that’s got your back.

Vanquis has been named one of the Financial Times UK’s Best Employers 2025, ranking in the top 50 nationwide and seventh in Banking and Financial Services. This recognition is based on independent employee feedback, reflecting our strong workplace culture, career growth opportunities, and commitment to our people.

We take care of our colleagues as well as our customers, working hard to create a rewarding and supportive work environment. That means competitive salaries, benefits, and a Group-wide recognition scheme. Everyone can enrol in our pension and after six months, you can join our ‘Buy as You Earn’ scheme.

We’re about more than financial rewards though. We give everyone a voice in the business and room to be their authentic self. And we know you’re here to build your career, so we help every colleague with training and development opportunities. Making sure there’s always something new to learn.

Equal Opportunities

Vanquis Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We embrace everyone’s unique strengths and identities. No matter your background, identity, or experience, you are welcome here. We believe diversity enriches our teams and helps us better support our customers.

If there’s anything we can do to support you during the recruitment process—whether that’s a different format of the application or additional assistance—please contact us at [email protected].