Criminal Solicitor

Eventus Recruitment Group; Leigh on Sea; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible salary above market rate

Generous holiday package

Remuneration for out-of-hours work

Training and supervision towards duty


Office-based Westcliff office

Job summary

Eventus Legal is seeking a Criminal Solicitor to join its established criminal defence team in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. This full-time, permanent role offers a market-rate starting salary from £45,000, with pay scales dependent on experience, and a clear path for advocacy development within a Legal 500-recognised practice.

You will handle a varied criminal and motoring caseload, undertake police station work, and participate in out-of-hours rotas, with supervision and progression opportunities in

Qualifications

• Qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales with current police station accreditation.
• Experience in criminal defence, police station attendances and Magistrates’ Court advocacy.
• Strong organisation and ability to work under pressure.
• Full clean UK driving licence and ability to travel across Essex.
• Willingness to work evenings/weekends on-call rota.

Responsibilities

• Manage criminal defence caseload and represent clients from police station to court.
• Provide police station advice and attendances across South Essex.
• Advocate in Magistrates’ Court and prepare Crown Court matters.
• Take witness statements and draft legal documents.
• Participate in on-call rota approximately once a week.

Skills

Criminal defence

Police station attendance

Magistrates' Court advocacy

Case management

Client communication

Education

Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)

Job description

Eventus Legal are seeking a Criminal Solicitor to join the established, Legal 500-recognised criminal defence team of a multi-disciplinary law firm in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. This is a full-time, permanent, office-based job with flexible, above-market-rate pay starting at £45,000, depending on experience. Offering a varied criminal and motoring caseload, paid out-of-hours work, a generous holiday package and structured supervision, this is an excellent opportunity for a solicitor looking to develop their advocacy and build a long-term career in criminal law.

Role Responsibilities

Working within a busy crime team, you will manage criminal defence matters and represent clients from police station attendance through to court proceedings. Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing a varied criminal defence caseload, including general crime and motoring offences, with appropriate supervision.
• Providing police station advice and representation across South Essex, including Southend, Grays and Chelmsford.
• Conducting advocacy on behalf of clients in the Magistrates’ Court.
• Preparing and progressing Crown Court matters, including liaising with Counsel and clients.
• Taking witness statements, preparing case papers and drafting legal documents.
• Participating in the evening and weekend on-call rota, expected to be approximately once a week.

Person Specification

The firm welcomes applications from newly qualified solicitors as well as more experienced criminal practitioners. You should also be able to demonstrate the following:

• Qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales and current police station accreditation.
• Experience or demonstrable ability in criminal defence casework, police station attendances and Magistrates’ Court advocacy.
• Confidence managing files, preparing Crown Court cases and communicating effectively with clients and Counsel.
• Strong organisation, sound judgement and the ability to work under pressure as part of a team.
• A full, clean UK driving licence, access to your own car and the ability to travel promptly to courts and police stations throughout Essex.
• Availability to work from the firm’s Westcliff office, with possible attendance at its Benfleet or Billericay offices, and to take part in the out-of-hours rota.
• Duty solicitor accreditation is desirable but not essential; support to work towards it is available. Higher Rights of Audience would also be welcomed but are not required.

Benefits and Rewards

Alongside a competitive salary, the firm offers practical development and additional earning opportunities. The successful Criminal Solicitor will also benefit from:

• Flexible, above-market-rate salary starting at £45,000, with the final package dependent on experience.
• Additional remuneration for qualifying out-of-hours work and police station attendances, with the payment arrangements confirmed during recruitment.
• A generous holiday package, with the precise entitlement confirmed during the recruitment process.
• Ongoing training, supervision and support towards duty solicitor accreditation where required.
• Opportunities to develop advocacy skills and progress within an established criminal defence practice.
• A full-time, office-based working arrangement, principally at the Westcliff office.

About the Law Firm

Our client is an established, multi-disciplinary law firm with a Legal 500-recognised criminal defence practice and Lexcel accreditation. Its experienced team advises on a broad range of criminal and motoring matters, representing clients at police stations and in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. The firm offers a personable team environment, continued training and a clear opportunity to build specialist criminal litigation and advocacy experience.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances.

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