Criminal Solicitor - Head of Motoring

Anakin Seal Legal; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Hybrid working

Modern offices

Free gym

Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing initiatives

Career progression

Job summary

Anakin Seal Legal in Manchester offers a Head of Motoring role for an ambitious solicitor to lead and grow a renowned motoring practice within a leading criminal defence firm. The firm values passion for the role and the development of the practice area, with a focus on strategic growth and client service.

The role involves managing a high-quality motoring caseload, developing business, and mentoring junior lawyers, with hybrid working and a competitive salary plus bonus prospects.

Qualifications

• Significant experience handling motoring law matters.
• Strong client care and advocacy skills.
• Experience representing clients in the Magistrates' Court and Crown Court.

Responsibilities

• Attend police stations for motoring-related interviews.
• Prepare and advise on pre-charge motoring cases.
• Handle SJPNs and written plea representations.
• Manage Magistrates' Court matters including drink and drug driving offenses.
• Manage Crown Court cases including fatality/serious injury and dangerous driving.
• Handle appeals from Magistrates' Court to the Crown Court.
• Advise clients and take instructions, providing strategic guidance.
• Prepare cases for trial in Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court; attend Crown Court hearings.

Skills

Motoring law

Advocacy

Client care

Leadership

Job description

Head of Motoring (Partner / Senior Associate / Associate Solicitor)

Manchester | Hybrid Working | Competitive Salary + Bonus

Our clientis seeking an ambitious and experienced motoring law specialist to join its highly regarded team at its Manchester based office. This is a unique opportunity for a talented solicitor to lead and grow the firm's motoring practice while working within one of the UK's leading criminal defence firms. The firm is open minded as to level - what is more important is your passion and enthusiasm for the role and development of the practice area.

This role is ideal for a solicitor with a strong background in motoring law who is looking to develop their profile, expand a department, and play a key role in the future growth of the practice.

The Role

You will manage a varied and high-quality caseload of motoring law matters, including:

• Attending police stations for motoring-related voluntary interviews.
• Preparing and advising on pre-charge motoring cases.
• Handling Single Justice Procedure Notices (SJPNs) and written plea representations.
• Managing Magistrates' Court matters, including:
• Drink driving offences
• Drug driving offences
• Exceptional hardship applications
• Conducting Crown Court cases involving:
• Fatality and serious injury matters
• Dangerous driving cases
• Other serious motoring offences
• Handling appeals from the Magistrates' Court to the Crown Court.
• Advising clients, taking instructions and providing strategic legal guidance.
• Preparing cases for trial in both the Magistrates' Court and Crown Court.
• Attending Crown Court hearings alongside counsel.

Department Growth & Business Development

This role offers significant opportunities to shape and develop the firm's motoring practice. Responsibilities include:

• Growing and developing the motoring law department.
• Producing content for the firm's website, videos and social media channels.
• Building your personal profile as a recognised specialist motoring lawyer.
• Working closely with the firm's marketing team and external PR support.
• Training and mentoring colleagues and trainees who wish to develop motoring law expertise.

About You

Applications are welcomed from Associate Solicitors, Senior Associate Solicitors and Partners with demonstrable experience in motoring law.

You will ideally have:

• Significant experience handling a broad range of motoring law matters.
• Strong client care and advocacy skills.
• Experience representing clients in the Magistrates' Court.
• The ability to manage complex and sensitive cases.
• A commercial approach and enthusiasm for developing a specialist practice area.
• A desire to contribute to training, mentoring and business development initiatives.

Some advocacy will be required, including:

• First appearances
• Exceptional hardship hearings
• Guilty plea hearings
• Case management hearings

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary with a generous bonus scheme.
• Flexible hybrid working (typically 2-3 days in the office per week).
• Modern Manchester city centre offices.
• Free on-site gym.
• Employee Assistance Programme for employees and family members.
• Regular wellbeing initiatives and activities.
• Ongoing professional development
• Clear opportunities for career progression and leadership development.