Duty Solicitor - Criminal Defence

Vincere; Witham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Out-of-hours bonuses

Flexible working

Pension and insurance benefits

Travel allowances

Job summary

Vincere is seeking a qualified Duty Solicitor or accredited Criminal Defence Solicitor to advance advocacy across Essex. You will manage cases from police stations to court, delivering robust advocacy in Magistrates’ Courts and assisting Crown Court work.

The role supports High Rights training and a transparent progression toward Partnership, with flexible hours and an out-of-hours bonus structure.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with appropriate accreditations.
• Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation or Duty Solicitor Status.
• Police Station Qualification / PSAS accreditation actively working toward Duty status.
• Experience handling police station attendances and PACE representations.
• Full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle for Essex coverage.

Responsibilities

• Manage files from police station detention through court representation.
• Advocate in Magistrates' Courts and prepare for Crown Court proceedings.
• Provide clear legal advice to vulnerable clients under high pressure.
• Cover out-of-hours rota duties and attendances.

Skills

Court Advocacy

Police Station Representation

Client Care

Communication Skills

Education

England & Wales Solicitor Qualification

Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation

Police Station Qualification / PSAS accreditation

Duty Solicitor Status

Job description

Duty Solicitor / Criminal Defence Solicitor

Location: Essex

Salary: £35,000 – £55,000 + DOE /PQE

Out-of-Hours Bonus Structure & Direct Partnership Track

Are you a Qualified Duty Solicitor or accredited Criminal Defence Solicitor seeking to advance your advocacy career within a Legal 500-ranked criminal defence practice across Essex? Our client is a prestigious, specialist criminal law firm with multiple strategic offices throughout Essex. Experiencing continued expansion due to sustained caseload demand, they are seeking a dedicated Duty Solicitor (or ambitious NQ Solicitor with Police Station Accreditation) to join their award-winning team, handle complex criminal matters, and step into a transparent progression framework.

The Opportunity

In this key fee-earning position, you will join an elite team of criminal defence practitioners representing clients across all aspects of criminal law. Managing files from initial police station detention through to court representation, you will deliver robust advocacy at Magistrates' Courts and prepare complex Crown Court proceedings. Designed for a practitioner committed to legal aid and private client defence, this role offers high operational autonomy, mentorship from recognized Partners, and structured financial support to obtain Higher Rights of Audience (HRA) or progress toward Partnership.

Key Responsibilities & Requirements

• Qualifications & Accreditation: Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) holding Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation / Duty Solicitor Status (or an NQ Solicitor with full Police Station Qualification / PSAS accreditation actively working toward Duty status).

• Police Station & PACE Representation: Extensive experience managing police station attendances, advising clients during PACE interviews, making bail representations, and handling out-of-hours rota duties.

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

• Client Care & Crisis Management: Outstanding communication skills with the resilience to manage sensitive, high-pressure criminal cases and deliver clear, decisive legal advice to vulnerable clients.

• Full UK Driving Licence: Must hold a valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle to cover police stations and courts across Essex.

Package & Working Structure

• Competitive Base Remuneration: £35,000 – £55,000 base salary per annum (commensurate with Duty qualification, HRA status, and overall criminal fee-earning experience).

• Out-of-Hours & Performance Bonuses: Generous, transparent bonus payments for out-of-hours police station attendances and performance-related outcomes.

• Flexible Working & Hours: Full-time or part-time options available, supported by flexible working practices across modern Essex office locations.

• Comprehensive Benefits: Enhanced employer pension scheme, full professional indemnity insurance cover, season ticket loans, legal expenses insurance, and travel/mileage allowances for court travel.

• Career Trajectory & HRA Support: Meritocratic progression pathways to Partner level, alongside fully funded training for Higher Rights of Audience and specialist criminal sub-disciplines.

• Leave & Culture: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service), study leave allocation, and regular firmwide social events.