Solicitor or Duty Solicitor – Criminal

Tilly Bailey & Irvine LLP; Sunderland; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Tilly Bailey & Irvine LLP in Sunderland seeks a motivated Solicitor to join our established Criminal team. You will represent clients at police stations and courts, and manage a varied caseload with clear, practical legal advice.

The ideal candidate will have broad criminal experience, strong advocacy and client-care skills, and excellent organisation. Duty Solicitor accreditation is desirable but not essential. The firm offers a supportive culture and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience handling a broad range of criminal matters.
• Duty Solicitor accreditation is desirable but not essential.
• Strong advocacy, communication and client care skills.
• Excellent organisational and case management abilities.
• Experience using case management systems.
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• A proactive, professional and client-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Managing your own caseload of criminal matters
• Advising and representing clients in criminal proceedings
• Attending police stations, Magistrates' Courts and Crown Courts
• Interviewing clients and witnesses
• Preparing legal documentation, trial bundles and instructions to Counsel
• Applying for legal aid and assessing client eligibility
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, Counsel, experts and external agencies
• Supporting the wider Criminal team and assisting with supervision where appropriate
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory and professional obligations

Skills

Advocacy

Communication

Client care

Organization

Teamwork

Professionalism

Education

Solicitor qualification

Tools

Case management software

Job description

Weare seeking a motivated and experienced Solicitor to join our well-established Criminal team in Sunderland.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a busy department handling a varied caseload of criminal matters. The successful candidate will represent clients at police stations and court, provide expert legal advice, and play an active role in delivering a high-quality service to clients across the region.

Key responsibilities:

• Managing your own caseload of criminal matters


• Advising and representing clients in criminal proceedings


• Attending police stations, Magistrates' Courts and Crown Courts


• Interviewing clients and witnesses


• Preparing legal documentation, trial bundles and instructions to Counsel


• Applying for legal aid and assessing client eligibility


• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, Counsel, experts and external agencies


• Supporting the wider Criminal team and assisting with supervision where appropriate


• Ensuring compliance with regulatory and professional obligations

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience handling a broad range of criminal matters


• Duty Solicitor accreditation is desirable but not essential


• Strong advocacy, communication and client care skills


• Excellent organisational and case management abilities


• Experience using case management systems


• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team


• A proactive, professional and client-focused approach

This is an exciting opportunity to join a respected and supportive firm with a longstanding reputation for excellence in criminal law. Applications are welcomed from both Duty Solicitors and Solicitors with criminal law experience who are looking to further develop their careers.

Please refer to the start of our Careers page for the excellent range of employee benefits we offer.

No agencies please.

Limited Liability Partnership Registered in England Number OC315000

Tilly Bailey & Irvine LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England (number OC315000) and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

The Legal Ombudsman is an independent and impartial scheme set up to help resolve legal service disputes. Their website can be viewed at WWW.LEGALOMBUDSMAN.ORG.UK