Criminal Defence Solicitor

Brittontime; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing law firm in Brighton is seeking a private Criminal Defence Solicitor from NQ to 10+ years' PQE to join their Criminal Defence team. The role involves managing a diverse caseload, ensuring exceptional client service and, if desired, potential career advancement into management roles. The firm promotes a supportive working environment and offers hybrid working arrangements, private medical insurance, and development opportunities.

Benefits

Hybrid working (up to 3 days remote)

Private medical insurance

Group life cover

Enhanced annual leave

Development opportunities

Online learning resources

Quarterly team-building events

Modern offices near beaches

Excellent public transport links

Qualifications

• Experience in private criminal defence or legal aid work.
• Full, clean driving licence and ability to travel across Sussex and South East.
• Strong client focus and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Managing your own caseload with support.
• Delivering billing targets and maintaining client relationships.
• Handling varied caseload in driving, violent and sexual offences.

Skills

Client-handling skills

Communication

Organisational skills

Education

NQ to 10+ years’ PQE

Job description

We are currently recruiting a talented private Criminal Defence Solicitor from NQ to 10+ years’ PQE to join our growing Criminal Defence team based in our Hove office.

Candidates must have good technical knowledge, excellent client-handling skills, and enthusiasm for business development. You should be willing to work as part of a team, maintain a strong client focus, and possess exceptional communication and organisational skills.

The responsibilities include managing your own caseload with support from the wider criminal defence team. The main areas of work are driving offences, violent and sexual offences, drug offences, investigations, and fraud matters.

You’ll be trusted with:

• Autonomy to deliver your billing targets
• Long-term career prospects, including directorship, management roles, and share ownership
• Managing client relationships
• A varied caseload across litigation areas

Role requirements

• Experience in private criminal defence, either exclusively or alongside legal aid work (note: the firm does not handle legal aid matters)
• NQ to 10+ years’ PQE
• Full, clean driving licence and ability to travel across Sussex and the South East

About the firm

Britton and Time Solicitors, established in 2020 in Brighton and Hove, is one of Sussex’s fastest-growing law firms, with a second office in Mayfair, London.

Our Litigation team, led by Paul Britton, covers several practice areas and has been recognized nationally, notably for the Rea vs Rea case, which clarified will dispute law.

The firm has also received awards, including the ‘Rising Star’ at the STEP Private Client Awards 2024 and was a finalist for ‘Outstanding Partner to the Legacy Sector’ at the Legacy Giving Awards 2024.

We value diversity and inclusion, fostering a workplace where everyone is valued regardless of background.

What we can offer you

We believe in supporting our staff to perform their best through comprehensive benefits, rewards, and perks, including:

• Hybrid working (up to 3 days remote, 2 days in-office)
• Private medical insurance
• Group life cover (death in service)
• Enhanced annual leave based on service length
• Development opportunities as we grow
• Online learning resources
• Networking and industry event invitations
• Quarterly team-building and social events
• Modern offices in Hove and Mayfair, near cafes and restaurants; Hove office is within a 5-minute walk of the beach
• Excellent public transport links and cycling options
• Staff engagement activities and local discounts

Please note: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available.

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