Public Law Solicitor

Gemini Recruitment; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Gemini Recruitment is partnering with a leading law firm to recruit a Public Law Solicitor in Manchester. The role covers civil liberties and judicial review work against HMRC, local authorities and NHS, with responsibilities spanning drafting, hearings, and funding applications.

The ideal candidate will have up to 3 years’ PQE, strong client care, and managerial potential. The department handles publicly and privately funded work and seeks a professional proactive team player with BD interest.

Qualifications

• Law Society Immigration Accreditation desirable
• Must have a clean, valid Practising Certificate at the time of applying
• Strong management skills
• Committed team player with ability to approach team concerns fairly, foster culture of positive change and encourage cross referrals
• Previous supervisory experience and working to key performance indicators
• Excellent client care skills and ability to deal with vulnerable clients in Public Law matters
• Excellent networking and communication skills and ability to market the Company and generate new business
• Experience in dealing with Public Law related work
• Advocacy experience is an advantage

Responsibilities

• Report directly to Department Director
• Responsible for all aspects of Public Law work including providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members
• Manage and supervise Solicitors, Trainee Solicitors and Caseworkers to handle various caseload types and complexities
• Assist with delivery of training and development in the department
• Handle a range of Public Law work including: Unlawful detention; False imprisonment; Bail decisions; NHS & Local Authority challenges; Data protection; Housing
• Prepare and manage funding applications to the Legal Aid Agency; Draft documents including witness statements and gather evidence
• Attend conferences and court; Prepare applications and index of documents
• Proactive client care and marketing to supplement high work volumes

Skills

Law Society Immigration Accreditation

Qualified Solicitor

Practising Certificate

Strong management skills

Team leadership

Client care

Networking

Marketing

Business development

Education

Solicitor qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Role: Public Law Solicitor | NQ to 3+PQE | Manchester

A Leading law firm looking to recruit dedicated and experienced Public Law Solicitors for highly sought permanent position.

Gemini Recruitment are currently partnering with a large and established law firm. Our client serves corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 practice areas from offices throughout London and across England and Wales. Our clients accomplishments are acknowledged and recommended in The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, as a top tier firm.

Public Law Department Background

Our clients Public Law department has experience in all aspects of civil liberties and judicial review against the HMRC, local authority, NHS, planning Judicial Review including obtaining emergency orders and other interim relief to prevent breaches of human rights. Their department regularly follow up judicial reviews with actions for damages in both the County and High Courts and successfully pursue matters to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

The quality of the department is repeatedly demonstrated by its high success rates, with award winning cases, many of which are recorded in the reported case journals, raising new and important issues, and creating legal precedents for the future.

Our client's Public Law Department is recognised as a leader in its field by Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 for its depth of experience in immigration and civil liberties challenges. As a well-established firm, our client is well known to the Legal Aid Agency (LAA), the Courts, and the Government Legal Department (GLD).

Our client also collaborates with other firms on funding and case management issues, and has a close working relationship with a number of barristers chambers with relevant expertise in public law.

Our client carries out both publicly and privately funded work.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Report directly to Department Director
• Responsible for all aspects of Public Law work including providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members
• Ability to manage and supervise Solicitors, Trainee Solicitors and Caseworkers to manage appropriate caseload types and complexities
• Assisting with delivery of appropriate training and development in the department
• Variety of duties including dealing with a range of Public Law work including: Unlawful detention; False imprisonment; Abuse by detention staff ; Conditions in detention; Age assessments; Asylum support; Challenging non-appealable decisions; Challenging removal notices; NHS & Local Authority challenges; Policies, practices and decisions made by the Immigration and Asylum Tribunals (First-tier Tribunal / Upper Tribunal) ; Bail decisions
• The work may also include challenging non-immigration issues such as data protection, housing etc
• Preparing and managing funding applications to the Legal Aid Agency,
• Preparing draft documents including witness statements and processing evidence
• Attending conferences and court
• Preparing applications (incl drafting application forms, index of documents and letters of representations)
• Attending conferences and court
• You will have a professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills and be interested in Business Development and Marketing to supplement the substantial work volumes brought in by the company

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other duties as reasonably required.

Key Skills Required:

• Law Society Immigration Accreditation desirable
• Qualified Solicitor, Committed and highly driven
• Must have a clean, valid Practicing Certificate at the time of applying
• Strong management skills
• Committed team player with ability to approach team concerns fairly, foster culture of positive change and encourage cross referrals
• Previous proven supervisory experience and working to key performance indicators
• Professional with a pro-active approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with client matters in a sensitive manner to deal with vulnerable clients and resolve complicated practicalities involved in Public Law issues
• Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business
• Working knowledge of the Legal Aid Guidance for Public Law matters and have the ability to service privately funded cases
• Have extensive experience in dealing with all Public Law related work
• Experience in own advocacy is an advantage
• Excellent IT Skills -familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills

About Gemini Recruitment and Equal Opportunities:

The company is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity and inclusivity of its staff and strives to ensure that their workforce reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.

The recruitment process will fully comply with GDPR and other applicable laws. Background checks including CRB / DBS checks will establish your eligibility to work in the UK and suitability to the role.