Duty Solicitor

Vincere; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Enhanced out-of-hours rates

CPD funding

Membership fees paid

Career progression

Job summary

Vincere in London seeks a Qualified Duty Solicitor to join a top-tier criminal defence team. Manage a diverse caseload from police detention to Crown Court prep, delivering strategic legal advocacy with HRA exposure.

Approved for hybrid working, with a clear progression path, competitive salary (£45k–£60k+ DOE/PQE), and enhanced out-of-hours rates. Comprehensive CPD funding and membership fees covered.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor with England & Wales registration and appropriate accreditation.
• Minimum 1+ years PQE in criminal defence within a reputable UK private practice.
• Experience at police stations under PACE and rota duty schemes.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients from police detention through Magistrates' Court to Crown Court prep.
• Provide robust legal advice and strategic advocacy for high-profile matters.
• Prepare witnesses and briefs for Counsel; Higher Rights of Audience desirable.

Skills

Police station advocacy

Court advocacy

Client care

Rota work

Education

Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)

Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation

Duty Solicitor Status

Job description

Qualified Duty Solicitor

Location: London

Salary: c.£45,000 – £60,000+ DOE/PQE

Lucrative Out-of-Hours Rates & Hybrid Flexibility

Are you an accredited Duty Solicitor looking to elevate your advocacy career within a top-tier, Legal 500-ranked criminal defence practice across London? Our client is a premier, well-established law firm with an outstanding reputation for handling complex, high-profile criminal matters across multiple Central London locations. Experiencing sustained expansion, they are seeking a driven Duty Solicitor (1+ PQE) to manage a diverse criminal caseload, deliver robust representation, and step into a transparent progression pathway with exceptional financial rewards.

The Opportunity

In this key fee-earning position, you will join an elite, highly collaborative criminal defence department representing clients across the full spectrum of criminal offences. Managing matters from initial police station detention through to Magistrates' Court trial representation and Crown Court preparation, you will deliver strategic legal advice to individuals facing serious allegations. Designed for a practitioner committed to justice and legal aid advocacy, this role offers direct exposure to high-value instructions, generous rota enhancements, modern hybrid flexibility, and structured support to obtain Higher Rights of Audience (HRA).

Key Responsibilities & Requirements

• Qualifications & Accreditation: Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) holding active Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation / Duty Solicitor Status (essential).

• Experience Level: Minimum 1+ years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) managing a busy criminal defence caseload within a reputable UK private practice.

• Police Station & Rota Work: Extensive experience conducting police station attendances under PACE procedures, advising clients during interviews under caution, and actively participating in local police station and court duty rotas.

• Court Advocacy & Litigation: Confident advocacy skills in Magistrates' Courts, combined with meticulous case preparation, witness drafting, and brief preparation for Counsel in complex Crown Court trials (Higher Rights of Audience is highly desirable).

• Client Care & Resilience: Outstanding interpersonal skills with the resilience to provide empathetic, clear, and decisive legal representation to vulnerable clients under high-pressure conditions.

Package & Working Structure

• Competitive Remuneration: £45,000 – £60,000 base salary per annum (commensurate with PQE, court experience, and HRA status).

• Enhanced Financial Rewards: Highly lucrative performance bonus scheme alongside enhanced out-of-hours rates for police station duty rotas.

• Agile Working: Flexible working arrangements supported by modern, well-connected office locations across Central London with hybrid options.

• Comprehensive Benefits: Workplace pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance plus bank holidays, payment of professional membership fees (SRA, Law Society Panel renewals), and full CPD funding.

• Career Trajectory: Meritocratic progression pathways to Senior Associate and Partner roles, alongside fully funded training for Higher Rights of Audience.

• Culture & Wellbeing: Supportive, inclusive working environment with regular team-building events, firmwide socials, and dedicated peer support.