Justice First Fellowship: Trainee Solicitor

GMIAU; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

GMIAU in Manchester invites applications for the Justice First Fellowship: Trainee Solicitor. You will undertake a recognised training period to qualify as a solicitor, assisting in immigration, asylum, human rights and public law cases under supervision.

The role offers the chance to develop a project, register with IAA and IAAS, build a caseload, learn about legal aid contracts, and work toward IAAS Senior Caseworker within the first year.

Qualifications

• Complete a period of recognised training to qualify as a solicitor.
• Register as an immigration adviser with the IAA and IAAS schemes within the first 12 months in post.
• Develop a caseload of appropriate cases once qualified.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the immigration/public law legal aid contract, including Exceptional Case Funding (ECF).

Responsibilities

• To assist in the conduct of immigration, asylum, human rights and public law cases under the supervision of experienced solicitors.
• To register as an immigration adviser with the IAA and with the IAAS accreditation scheme; achieve IAA level 3 asylum & immigration and IAAS Senior Caseworker within the first 12 months.
• To develop a case load of appropriate cases once qualified to do so.
• To carry out research to assist with cases, as directed by supervisors.
• To keep up-to-date with developments in UK immigration, asylum, human rights and nationality law and practice.
• To become familiar with and use GMIAU's case management software.
• To conduct casework in accordance with agreed office practice.
• To ensure compliance with SRA, IAA and IAAS requirements as required.

Job description

Do you want to use your skills to defend people’s rights, challenge injustice and support communities affected by immigration control?

You could be the next Justice First Fellowship Trainee Solicitor to join GMIAU in April 2027!

The main purpose of this post is to

successfully complete a period of recognised training with Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU

qualify as a solicitor

enhance and build GMIAU’s capacity to advise and represent people in their immigration, asylum, human rights and public law cases for the future.
The post carries with it the opportunity to develop a project which will develop your skills, knowledge and understanding of the wider context in which organisations such as GMIAU operate and where ‘access to justice’ is under threat for people in need.

In this role, your responsibilities will be:

To assist in the conduct of immigration, asylum, human rights and public law cases, under the supervision of experienced solicitors.

To register as an immigration adviser with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) and with the Law Society IAAS accreditation scheme. The trainee is expected to obtain IAA level 3 asylum & immigration and IAAS Senior Caseworker within the first 12 months in post

To develop a case load of appropriate cases once qualified to do so.

To develop a comprehensive understanding of the immigration and public law legal aid contract, including Exceptional Case Funding (ECF).

To carry out research to assist with cases, as directed by supervisors.

To keep up-to-date with developments and changes in UK immigration, asylum, human rights and nationality law and practice.

To become familiar with and use effectively the case management software used by GMIAU.

To conduct casework in accordance with agreed office practice.

To ensure compliance with SRA, IAA and IAAS requirements as required

Trainee Areas of Law: Immigration / Asylum;Human Rights;Public and administrative law

Interview Dates: 22 January 2027 and 29 January 2027. If successful, the fellowship will begin in April 2027.

Contact for Enquiries: David Pountney

Job Title: Justice First Fellowship: Trainee Solicitor

Reporting To: GMIAU supervisor

Responsible To: CEO

Location: Manchester

Salary Scale: Starting Salary: £27,709

Deadline: 14 December 2026