Duty Solicitor / Criminal Defence Solicitor

Bhatia Best Limited; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Overtime payments

Mileage payments

Career development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Bhatia Best Limited in Derby is seeking an experienced Criminal Defence Solicitor or CILEX Practitioner to join our busy Criminal Department.

The role involves litigation and advocacy across all areas of criminal defence, with work spanning the East Midlands and occasional travel to our other offices. We welcome applications from Duty Solicitors and practitioners progressing toward accreditation, offering support and progression.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor with current Practising Certificate or CILEX Practitioner with Advocacy Certificate.
• Experience in criminal defence and managing criminal cases.
• Strong advocacy and case preparation skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage criminal cases from instruction to conclusion.
• Provide client advice in person, by phone and via video.
• Prepare case files, documents and applications.
• Attend Magistrates' Court daily for appearances and hearings.
• Represent clients in Police Stations and Crown Court matters.

Skills

Advocacy skills

Case preparation

Oral communication

Written communication

Organisational skills

Negotiation skills

MS 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Client care

Education

Qualified Solicitor with Practising Certificate

CILEX Practitioner with Advocacy Certificate

Tools

Case Management System

Microsoft 365 Suite

Job description

Location: Derby
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience, plus overtime and mileage payments

Join Our Criminal Defence Team

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Criminal Defence Solicitor or CILEX Practitioner to join our busy and well-established Criminal Department based in Derby.

This is an excellent opportunity to become part of a highly regarded team providing representation and advice to clients across the East Midlands. Applications are welcomed from accredited Duty Solicitors, as well as experienced criminal practitioners who are actively working towards obtaining Duty Solicitor Accreditation and are looking to further develop their careers within a supportive and progressive environment.

The successful candidate will possess strong advocacy skills, excellent client care standards and a commitment to delivering high-quality legal services.

The Role

You will undertake a varied caseload involving litigation and advocacy across all aspects of criminal defence practice, representing clients from the earliest stages of proceedings through to conclusion.

Whilst the position is primarily based in Derby, our practice operates across the East Midlands and there may be occasional requirements to attend our other offices, Police Stations and Court Centres within the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing criminal cases from initial instruction through to conclusion.
• Providing advice and support to clients in person, by telephone and via video conferencing.
• Preparing case files, legal documents and applications.
• Attending the Magistrates' Court on a daily basis to represent clients in:
• First appearances and remand hearings
• Guilty and Not Guilty Anticipated Plea hearings
• Contested trials
• Providing Police Station advice and representation.
• Conducting litigation in Crown Court matters.
• Maintaining accurate records and compliance with internal procedures and quality standards.
• Participating in the out-of-hours rota, including Police Station attendances and Saturday/Bank Holiday Courts.

About You

• Qualified Solicitor holding a current Practising Certificate, or a suitably qualified CILEX Practitioner with the appropriate Advocacy Certificate.
• Experience practising criminal defence law and managing criminal cases.
• Strong advocacy and case preparation skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to provide clear, practical and client-focused legal advice.Strong analytical, organisational and negotiation skills.
• Experience using a computerised Case Management System.
• Understanding of Criminal Legal Aid procedures and applications.
• Commitment to maintaining professional standards, client confidentiality and regulatory compliance.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Word and Excel.

Duty Solicitor Accreditation

Applications are welcomed from:

• Solicitors and CILEX Practitioners who currently hold CLAS Duty Solicitor Accreditation; and
• Criminal practitioners who are actively working towards Duty Solicitor Accreditation and can demonstrate the experience, ability and commitment required to achieve accreditation.
• Current CLAS Duty Solicitor Accreditation.
• Working knowledge of SQM requirements and quality assurance procedures.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Support for Candidates Working Towards Duty Solicitor Accreditation

We recognise the importance of developing the next generation of Duty Solicitors and welcome applications from experienced criminal practitioners who are working towards accreditation.

For the right candidate, we can offer:

• Support and mentoring from experienced Duty Solicitors.
• Exposure to a broad range of criminal defence work across Police Stations and Courts.
• Opportunities to develop advocacy, client care and case management skills.
• Structured supervision and guidance to assist with progression towards accreditation.
• Career development opportunities within an established and growing criminal defence department.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary package.
• Overtime payments for out-of-hours work.
• Varied and interesting caseload.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
• The opportunity to work with an experienced team committed to providing first-class criminal defence representation.

Equality and Diversity

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are treated fairly and with respect. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process or interviews, please let us know in advance and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.