Actions Against Public Authorities Solicitor - Newcastle

Gemini Recruitment; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Newcastle upon Tyne seeks a Solicitor for Action Against Public Authorities. You will handle civil claims against public authorities while supporting a dedicated team. The ideal candidate has 2-5 years PQE in civil liberties work and strong client care skills. Attractive salary and hybrid working offered.

Benefits

Attractive salary package

Supportive team environment

Real prospects for promotion

Hybrid working policy

Qualifications

• Solicitor with experience in civil liberties work.
• Ability to demonstrate experience in claimant litigation.
• Effective organisational ability under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a mixed caseload of complaints and civil claims against public authorities.
• Support other lawyers and conduct legal research.
• Attend court hearings and client meetings.

Skills

Civil liberties work

Client care skills

Research and analytical skills

Civil Procedure Rules knowledge

Judicial review applications

Education

Solicitor with 2 - 5 years PQE or Legal Executive with 2+ years PQE

Job description

Role: Action Against Public Authorities Solicitor

A leading law firm is seeking committed and driven Solicitors to join its team in a permanent capacity.

Gemini Recruitment are currently partnering with a large and established law firm. Our client serves corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 practice areas from offices throughout London and across England and Wales. Our client’s accomplishments are acknowledged and recommended in The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, as a top tier firm.

Our client holds the Investors in People Gold Accreditation Quality Standard Mark and is LEXCEL, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001-2013 accredited and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

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.

Main Responsibilities of the Role

• Report directly to 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.

Key Skills Required

• Solicitor with 2 - 5 years PQE or Legal Executive with 2+ years PQE in Civil Liberties work
• Experience working on publicly funded cases (CW1/Legal Help and Licensed/Certificated Work) and working with CCMS
• Ability to demonstrate experience in all areas of Claimant litigation
• Strong theoretical knowledge and demonstrable practical experience of the Civil Procedure Rules
• Strong research, analytical and critical thinking skills
• Knowledge and practical experience of applications for judicial review
• Effective organisational ability, able to work to tight deadlines under pressure
• Must meet LAA supervisor criteria for Legal Aid contract purposes

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other duties as reasonably required.

On offer is an attractive salary package, a supportive team environment and real prospects for promotion. The Company will allow hybrid-working in accordance with the company policy.

The company is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity and inclusivity of its staff and strives to ensure that their workforce reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.

About Gemini Recruitment

Gemini Recruitment is a leading recruitment agency specialising in legal recruitment. We provide a highly focused service specialising in placements for Solicitors, Legal Executives, Trainee Solicitors, Paralegals and Legal Support Staff. We have intimate knowledge of specific opportunities in the legal market across the UK.

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