Criminal Defence Solicitor – NQ+

Legal Southwest Ltd; Taunton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Legal Southwest Ltd. is seeking a newly qualified or junior Solicitor to join its busy Criminal Defence team in Taunton. You will receive comprehensive training toward police station and duty solicitor accreditations while developing within a supportive, close-knit department.

The role offers a clear long-term path with a varied workload and the chance to work with experienced fee earners and paralegals on cases involving vulnerable clients.

Qualifications

• Newly qualified or junior Solicitor with a passion for criminal law.
• Willing to undertake training towards police station and duty solicitor accreditations.
• Previous duty solicitor or police station accreditation is not essential, training will be provided.

Responsibilities

• Support vulnerable clients with resilience and sound judgement.
• Work as part of a busy Criminal Defence team with training towards accreditations.
• Be available for on-call responsibilities and 9:00–17:30 hours.

Skills

Criminal defence

Team player

Empathy

Education

Solicitor qualification

Job description

Our client is seeking a qualified Solicitor to join its busy and supportive Criminal Defence team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified or junior Solicitor with a genuine passion for criminal law. Previous duty solicitor or police station accreditation is not essential, as the firm will provide full training and support to help the successful candidate work towards the necessary accreditations.

The Opportunity:

The firm has a thriving criminal practice with a substantial and consistent workload. Its established team currently comprises four fee earners, supported by experienced paralegals and administrative staff.

This appointment forms part of the firm’s long-term succession planning, with one of its duty solicitors due to retire in 2027. The successful candidate will therefore have the opportunity to join an experienced team, receive comprehensive training and gradually develop into a key member of the department.

The work is exciting, varied and highly rewarding. It will involve supporting clients who may be vulnerable or facing extremely difficult circumstances, so resilience, empathy and sound judgement will be essential. In return, you will join a close-knit team with a strong sense of camaraderie and a supportive working environment.

The Successful Candidate:

You will be:

• A qualified Solicitor, from NQ level upwards
• Genuinely enthusiastic about criminal defence work
• Keen to build a long-term career within this area of law
• Willing to undertake training towards police station and duty solicitor accreditation
• Compassionate, resilient and able to communicate effectively with vulnerable clients
• A strong team player with the right attitude and aptitude to develop within the role

Candidates do not need to be police station accredited or currently registered on the duty solicitor rota.

Working Arrangements:

The usual working hours are 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. The position also includes some on-call responsibilities, with the successful candidate expected to take calls when required.

Once appropriately accredited, the role will include police station attendance and participation in the broader duties associated with criminal defence work.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to enter or develop within one of the most varied and engaging areas of legal practice. You will benefit from:

• Full training towards the relevant accreditations
• A clear and genuine long-term opportunity
• An established caseload and strong flow of work
• Experienced fee earners, paralegals and administrative support
• A friendly team with an excellent sense of camaraderie
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to clients during some of the most challenging periods of their lives

The firm is focused on finding the right person rather than simply filling the vacancy. For a qualified Solicitor with a genuine passion for criminal defence and the motivation to learn, this represents an exciting opportunity to build a rewarding and sustainable career.