Advocate (Qualified Barrister or Lawyer)

Positive Employment; England; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A legal services firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a qualified Barrister or Lawyer to join their Social Care and Education Legal Team. The role involves conducting trials, providing high-quality advocacy primarily in child care matters, and representing clients in Family and High Courts. Ideal candidates will have a strong understanding of child protection laws, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to operate effectively within a corporate context. This position offers competitive hourly pay and the potential for ongoing development in legal advocacy.

Qualifications

• Qualified Barrister or Lawyer with right of audience.
• Good knowledge and experience of advocacy and attending hearings.
• Specialised knowledge of English law related to child protection and adoption.
• Highly developed negotiating and listening skills.
• Awareness of current issues relevant to local authorities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct trials and advocacy primarily in child care matters.
• Represent in Family Court and High Court child care and adoption proceedings.
• Incorporate changes to practice due to statutory or policy changes.
• Provision of advocacy in complex contested child care proceedings.
• Prepare and process complex documents relevant to care proceedings.

Skills

Advocacy

Negotiation

Legal research

Drafting legal documents

Child protection knowledge

Special education law knowledge

Education

Qualified Barrister or Lawyer

Job description

Duties and Responsibilities

• Deal with analysis, research, drafting, advice and advocacy arising within the Social Care and Education Legal Team. To have the conduct of trials ranging from 1 to 10 days in duration. Under the strategic direction of the Practice Lead, Social Care and Education Team to undertake all advocacy primarily in child care matters and to ensure the provision of a high quality, efficient, cost effective and customer focused service. To contribute to the financial and business management of the Social Care and Education team.
• Appear as the organisation’s advocate at preliminary, unopposed and complex contested hearings ranging from 1 day to 10 days duration in the Family Court and High Court in child care and adoption proceedings and at other tribunals and courts as required in non-child care proceedings with minimum supervision.
• Incorporate changes to practice within the Social Care and Education team as a result of statutory, policy or other changes and in so doing to recognise and report any budgetary or resource implications and to ensure value for money is achieved.
• Responsible for the provision of advocacy in complex contested child care proceedings, including representation at short notice in emergency hearings, ensuring that work is reflective of best practice, is of a high professional standard and is cost effective.
• Develop and obtain knowledge in Special Education Needs Tribunals and Adult Social Care and be responsible for the provision of advocacy if appropriate.
• Be able to enter complex negotiations, provide innovative, creative advice to clients in a pressurised environment.
• Prepare and process the more complex and sensitive documents relevant to care proceedings before all levels of court, including the evaluation of evidence and to provide advice and guidance in respect of complex areas of law and practice to other team members and client departments as appropriate.
• Advising on complex policies and procedures relating to the Councils’ child care functions.

Personal Requirements

• Qualified Barrister or Lawyer with right of audience.
• Good knowledge and experience of advocacy and attending hearings on behalf of the SLLP.
• Specialise knowledge of English law and practice in relation to child protection and adoption. An ability to acquire and maintain knowledge in relation to community care and education.
• Highly developed negotiating and listening skills with various groups of people and in a variety of different settings, including some of which may potentially end in conflict.
• Awareness of current issues relevant to local authorities, ability to assist in delivering the Council’s corporate objectives and to operate effectively within a corporate context.

Working Hours

35 hrs / 9:00am - 17:00pm / Monday - Friday

Pay

£50.00 per hour

Please note this role is within the scope of IR35.