Solicitor - Education (SEN)

HCB Widdows Mason; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Holiday bonus scheme (up to 12 days)

Pension scheme

Parking (on a first come first served)

Training and development including pro

Cycle to work scheme

Eye tests provided

Medicash Plan

Job summary

HCB Widdows Mason is seeking a Solicitor to join its Education Law Department in Cardiff. The role is suitable for NQ to 4 years PQE with an interest in Education Law. Strong communication and organisational skills are essential, and collaboration within a team is important.

Training can be provided for those without Education Law experience. The role covers diverse Education Law work, including SEN cases, admission appeals, exclusions, and related disputes, with opportunities to develop

Qualifications

• NQ–4 years PQE with interest in Education Law.
• Excellent communication and proven organisational skills are essential.
• Ability to work within a team; training provided if Education Law experience is lacking.
• Desirable prior Education Law experience but not required.

Responsibilities

• Undertake work in Education Law focused on SEN cases, admissions appeals, exclusions, complaints, transport and university disputes.
• Liaise with clients, schools, experts, local authorities and the Tribunal/Court Service.
• Ensure day-to-day running of files in line with quality standards, Lexcel, and regulatory rules; maintain deadlines.
• Undertake advocacy; training can be provided in Education Law advocacy.
• Be aware of and adhere to firm policies, professional etiquette, and regulatory requirements.
• Draft documents and manage files and diary entries to meet deadlines and maintain case management records.
• Provide client information and documentation on the Case Management System.

Skills

Education Law

Advocacy

Drafting

Case Management

Communication

Education

Qualified Solicitor

Tools

Case Management System

Outlook

Excel

Job description

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated, hardworking and reliable Solicitor to join our busy Education Law Department based at our Cardiff Office at Cardiff Gate Business Park. Although we are happy to speak with individuals who maybe in the Bristol or Swansea area.

The successful candidate will be NQ – 4 years PQE, with an interest in Education Law. Excellent communication and proven organisational skills are essential, as is your ability to work within a team. It is desirable that you will have previous experience of Education Law but applicants without experience will be considered as full training can be provided.

This opportunity would provide an excellent steppingstone for a newly qualified Solicitor, or someone wishing to change practice areas, and looking to continue their career in a leading Education Law Team.

• To undertake work in any area of Education Law, taken on by the Firm, with a particular focus on SEN cases, covering both cases within and outside of the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability). Work may also include and is not limited to admission appeals, school exclusions, school complaints, home to school transport and university disputes.
• You will be required to liaise with various parties on cases including clients, schools, experts, local authorities and the Tribunal/ Court Service.
• Ensure the day-to-day running of files in accordance with firm’s quality standards, Lexcel compliance, and regulatory rules, whilst exercising a high level of competence, skill, care and management.
• You will be required to undertake advocacy, and training can be provided regarding advocacy in Education Law cases if needed.
• To be aware of and comply with the Firm’s policies and procedures including training requirements.
• To be aware of and adhere to the standard of behaviour and professional etiquette expected by the Law Society.
• As part of the general day-to-day running of cases drafting of documents will be necessary, and therefore excellent drafting skills are required. You will also need to have excellent file and diary management skills to ensure compliance to all Tribunal deadlines and limitation dates.
• You will ensure client information and documentation are saved and maintained on the firm’s Case Management System.

The work is extremely varied and candidates will be required to evidence that they can work on their own initiative and to strict deadlines. You will have strong communication skills.

• A methodical approach to planning and organising your tasks to ensure they are carried out in a timely manner and to an accurate and high standard.

• Time management is key.
• You will need to work independently and efficiently, whilst also working as part of a busy team.
• To be able to work under pressure
• Confidence in dealing with clients in a caring and professional manner both on the telephone and in person, is essential.
• Prioritising tasks/duties within expected given case deadlines.
• You will have strong drafting skills and an ability to understand complex points of law
• You will have a desire to develop your advocacy skills
• IT literate with good typing skills and the ability to use; Outlook/ Microsoft Excel/ *Case ManagemenTt system.

Competitive salary dependent on experience

• 26 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Holiday bonus scheme (up to 12 additional days leave)
• Pension scheme
• Parking (on a first come first served basis)
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities including support to study for professional qualifications
• Cycle to work scheme
• Firm funded eye tests
• Medicash Plan