Role: Action Against Public Authorities Solicitor - Nationwide opportunities
A leading Legal 500 firm is seeking a dedicated and driven Solicitor to join its Action Against Public Authorities team on a permanent basis.
Gemini Recruitment is currently partnering with a large and well-established law firm that serves both corporate entities and private individuals across more than 25 practice areas, with offices throughout London and across England and Wales. The firm is recognised and recommended by The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as a top-tier practice.
About the role:
The candidate will undertake a mixed caseload of complaints and civil claims against the police and other public authorities, judicial reviews, inquests and injustices. The department has been expanding within the firm steadily for a number of years and attracts high profile and interesting work.
The successful candidate will conduct supervised casework and also support other lawyers in the department. You will be involved with case preparation generally and, as part of that role, will be expected to conduct legal research, take proofs of evidence from clients and witnesses, attend both court hearings and conferences
It is imperative that you can demonstrate an unwavering commitment to protecting individual citizens' civil liberties and a preparedness to fight hard to enforce their human rights. Previous experience in this specific area is highly desirable but all applications will be considered.
Duties and responsibilities
- Report directly to the Department Director
- Professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills and a sensitive and sympathetic understanding of client needs
- Responsible for mixed caseload of inquest work, complaints against public authorities and pre and post-issue claimant litigation.
- Ability to manage appropriate caseload types and supervision of a small team.
- Making CCMS applications to the LAA.
- Attending clients, taking instructions and briefing and liaising with counsel, negotiating with defendants, the IOPC and other legal professionals.
- Dealing with correspondence.
- Identifying the funding options and advising on the most appropriate one.
- To run the caseload of varied, challenging and interesting work.
- Ability to help in marketing the department and the firm through social media.
- Assisting in expansion of the department.
Experience and qualifications
- Qualified Solicitor with 5+ years' PQE.
- Proven supervisory experience, including managing legal teams or departments.
- Experience handling publicly funded matters, including CW1/Legal Help and Licensed/Certificated Work.
- Practical experience using the Client and Cost Management System (CCMS).
- Demonstrable experience across claimant litigation matters.
- Strong working knowledge of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR).
- Experience and understanding of judicial review applications.
- Excellent legal research, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
- Strong organisational and time-management abilities, with the capacity to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines.
- Ability to meet LAA Supervisor Criteria for Legal Aid contract purposes.
- Commitment to protecting individual rights, civil liberties, and access to justice.
Benefits
The Company offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee wellbeing, professional development, and career progression.
Benefits include:
- Clear salary review procedures
- Automatic enrolment on to the company's pension scheme.
- 22 days annual leave which increases with length of service
- Additional birthday leave
- 7 days paid occupational sick pay
- Full payment towards annual renewal of Practising Certificate (SRA, CILEX)
- Full payment of Law Society Registration Fee for Panel Membership
- Full payment of Panel membership courses mandatory for Law Society Accreditation
- Individual access to company's e-library resources and training webinar library
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Wellbeing support - Mental Health First Aiders available
- Employee Referral/Introduction Scheme
- Eyesight test vouchers
- Maternity gift/vouchers
- Full payment of employment related DBS checks
- Temporary working from abroad (in exceptional circumstances)
- Part-time working considered
- Flexible working arrangements considered, such as Hybrid-Working and Compressed Hours
- Internal training contract intake - apply to train as a solicitor as authorised by the SRA and delivery of training. Successful retention, where appropriate and in accordance with business need, as a newly qualified solicitor
- Support for SQE1 exams
- Clear promotional opportunities (to Supervisor or Director) subject to business needs.
- Company support in becoming more prominent in field of practice through national industry award nominations, national legal directory submissions, media appearances and press releases.
- Enrolment on to Company Medical Cash Plan
subject to terms and conditions.
Company culture
The firm offers a supportive and collaborative working environment where professional development and career progression are actively encouraged.
What's on Offer:
- Competitive salary package.
- Supportive team environment.
- Clear opportunities for career growth and progression.
- Hybrid working arrangements in line with company policy.
Our Commitment:
The firm is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities, ensuring its workforce reflects the communities it serves. The recruitment process is conducted in accordance with GDPR and all relevant legislation. Any required CRB/DBS checks will be undertaken to confirm eligibility to work in the UK and suitability for the role.
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