Family Law Solicitor

Belderbos Solicitors - Family Law Specialists; Oakham; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Belderbos Solicitors - Family Law Specialists in Oakham is seeking a full-time Family Law Solicitor. The role combines office-based work with some home-based tasks in a hybrid arrangement.

You will handle divorce, financial settlements, and child arrangements, while advising clients and exploring mediation, collaborative law, and arbitration as alternatives to court proceedings. The position requires solid experience in family law, strong drafting and negotiation skills, and a commitment to

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in family law including divorce, financial remedies, child arrangements, cohabitation, and prenuptial agreements.
• Excellent client care and communication skills with empathy and clarity.
• Negotiation and dispute resolution experience, including mediation or collaborative law.
• Legal drafting and case management skills with ability to prepare accurate documents and manage a busy caseload.
• Current practising certificate and experience within a family law department; membership of Resolution or similar bodies is beneficial.
• Strong analytical and judgment skills with attention to detail and ethical practice.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on all aspects of family law, including divorce and financial settlements.
• Draft correspondence and legal documents; manage a varied caseload.
• Negotiate settlements and represent clients in negotiations and, where needed, at court hearings.
• Utilize mediation, collaborative law, and other ADR approaches to avoid contested court proceedings where possible.
• Maintain accurate file records and ensure regulatory compliance; support business development and client care.

Skills

Family law

Client care

Negotiation

Dispute resolution

Legal drafting

Education

Solicitor (or equivalent)

Job description

Company Description

Belderbos Solicitors – Family Law Specialists is a dedicated family law firm providing bespoke advice and support to clients across Rutland, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and the wider East Midlands. The firm focuses on helping individuals and families facing relationship breakdowns to resolve matters amicably, wherever possible, through mediation, collaborative law, arbitration, and solicitor-led negotiation. Core services include divorce, separation, cohabitation, prenuptial agreements, and a wide range of family matters. Led by founder James Belderbos, who has over 27 years of legal experience and is a trained mediator and qualified collaborative lawyer, the firm is committed to delivering practical solutions in a stress-minimizing and cost-effective way. Client care and peace of mind are central to the firm’s approach, with a strong emphasis on clear guidance and constructive outcomes.

Role Description

This is a full-time Family Law Solicitor role based in Oakham with a hybrid working arrangement, combining office-based work with some work from home. Day-to-day responsibilities include advising clients on all aspects of family law, including divorce, separation, financial settlements, child arrangements, cohabitation issues, and prenuptial agreements. The role involves managing a varied caseload, drafting correspondence and legal documents, negotiating settlements, and representing clients in negotiations and, where necessary, at court hearings. The solicitor will work closely with clients to explore and utilize alternative dispute resolution options such as mediation, collaborative law, and arbitration, with a focus on avoiding contested court proceedings where possible. Additional duties include maintaining accurate file records, ensuring compliance with regulatory and firm standards, contributing to business development activities, and supporting the firm’s reputation for compassionate, clear, and solution-focused family law advice.

Qualifications

• Candidates should possess strong expertise in family law, including experience with divorce, separation, financial remedies, child arrangements, cohabitation, and prenuptial agreements.
• Candidates should possess skills in client care and communication, including the ability to provide clear, empathetic advice, manage expectations, and build trust with clients in emotionally challenging situations.
• Candidates should possess skills in negotiation and dispute resolution, including experience with mediation, collaborative law, arbitration, or other non-court pathways to settlement.
• Candidates should possess legal drafting and case management skills, including the ability to prepare accurate documents, maintain organized files, and manage a busy caseload efficiently.
• Candidates should possess professional qualifications as a solicitor (or equivalent), current practising certificate, and experience within a family law department; membership of Resolution or similar professional bodies is highly beneficial.
• Candidates should possess strong analytical and judgment skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to ethical practice and regulatory