Children Panel Solicitor

Novap HR; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Novap HR is seeking a Senior Children Panel Solicitor to join our Family Law team in Reading. The role combines high‑level care proceedings expertise with mentoring junior staff and delivering client‑focused representation.

You will handle complex cases, manage files, draft applications and CCMS matters, with hybrid working and on‑site two days per week. England & Wales solicitor with Children Law Accreditation is required.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales.
• Children Law Accredited.
• Experience with Legal Aid and CCMS.
• Experience in children proceedings and advising courts on outcomes for children.
• Team player able to support colleagues and supervisees.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality client care in children matters, including representing parents, grandparents and relatives in care or supervision proceedings.
• Prepare court applications, statements, bundles and briefs for counsel.
• Manage files using Leap case management system.
• Advise clients and progress cases before courts and other professionals.
• Navigate CCMS for legal aid applications and ensure compliance.
• Meet monthly billing targets and contribute to firm financial goals.
• Supervise and support junior paralegals and admin staff.

Skills

England & Wales Solicitor

Children Law Accredited

CCMS experience

Team leadership

Client advisory

Education

Law degree (LLB/LLM)

Tools

Leap case management

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a senior Children Panel Solicitor, to join our collaborative team and demonstrate their expertise in managing sensitive and complex cases, while mentoring their supervisees.

Job Title: Children Panel Solicitor

Pay: £70,000 per annum + Bonus

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Location: Hybrid; On-site in Reading - 2 days per week

The Role

We are looking for a Children Panel Solicitor to join our growing Family Law team, providing expert legal representation in complex care proceedings while delivering exceptional support to vulnerable children and families. This senior role combines hands-on case management with mentoring junior team members, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a collaborative, client-focused firm.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality client care to vulnerable individuals and families, specifi-cally in children matters. This could include represent parents, grandparents, and relatives in care or supervision proceedings.
• Prepare legal documents: court applications, witness statements, bundles, and briefs for counsel.
• Efficiently manage files using our case management system, Leap.
• Advise clients in relation to their legal issues and progress cases with courts and other relevant professionals.
• Navigate legal aid applications via CCMS and ensure compliance.
• Meet or exceed monthly billing targets and contribute to the firm’s financial ob-jectives.
• Prior experience of managing a team of paralegals and admin team.
• The roles and responsibilities are not exhaustive and reasonable changes may be made depending on business requirements.

Essential Skill and Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales
• Children Law Accredited
• Prior experience working in Legal Aid (CCMS)
• Experience in children proceedings – must be confident in advising the court on the best outcomes for the child, which may involve arranging expert assess-ments
• Team player that is willing to help other team members
• Confident in using IT and different software