Trainee Solicitor

Shelter; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization dedicated to housing justice is seeking a Trainee Solicitor to join their team. In this role, you will develop essential legal skills while advocating for clients in housing crises, supporting solicitors in legal work, and engaging with communities to promote awareness of housing rights.

Qualifications

• LPC or SQE1 completion is essential.
• Ability to support legal cases and advocate for housing rights.
• Strong communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Support solicitors in legal cases addressing housing injustice.
• Assist in client care and practice support.
• Conduct legal research and communication with stakeholders.

Skills

Advocacy

Client care

Legal research

Dispute resolution

Negotiation

Education

Completed LPC or SQE1

Job description

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8th December Interview period: 15th January – 2nd February

About Shelter

A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people’s lives across the country are blighted by homelessness, soaring rents, deplorable conditions, discrimination, and the threat of eviction. Shelter exists to defend the right to a safe home. Each year through our expert advice and support services, we help millions of people struggling with bad housing or homelessness – and we campaign to prevent it in the first place. Through our helpline, online services, and network of local hubs, we provide expert information, advice, and support to people in housing crisis. Alongside this, we are committed to tackling the root causes of the current housing emergency. We do this through our wider campaigning and policy work which is always informed by the experiences we’re seeing on the frontline. We’re here so no-one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

About the role

We have a rare opportunity, funded by the Legal Education Foundation, for a high-calibre, adaptable Trainee Solicitor to join the team. You will have completed your LPC or SQE1 and will work under the housing and public law legal aid contracts, with opportunities to support Shelter’s test cases and interventions. During training, you’ll develop and apply skills such as:

• advocacy and oral presentation
• case and transaction management
• client care and practice support
• communication skills
• dispute resolution
• drafting
• interviewing and advising
• legal research
• negotiation

The Trainee Solicitor will support solicitors within our hub to address housing injustice and unfair practices by using the law to assist our communities. You’ll gain skills through independent work, assisting others, and observing experienced practitioners. The role involves supporting legal cases that defend housing rights, challenge discriminatory practices, and aim for systemic change. You'll work with colleagues to ensure communities are aware of their rights and are represented by legal professionals. The work will be under Legal Aid Agency funding and meet quality standards. You may also undertake work funded by Shelter Voluntary Income or other sources. The role may include court representation support, shadowing legal professionals, and working across various community locations and external stakeholders such as Local Authorities and community partners.