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Actions Against Public Authorities Director - Newcastle

Job Description:

Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Ltd):

Regulated by the Solicitor's Regulation Authority, Duncan Lewis Solicitors was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in the City of London (Fenchurch Street EC3M), with offices nationwide. We are recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK independent legal directories as a top-tier law firm in all of our key practice areas - "a diligent and professional team that is prepared to go the extra mile for its clients". A paperless law firm with over 500 personnel that embraces hybrid-working, we service both corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 areas of law across 60 languages. We give people a voice - that is our ethos.

Recognised among The Times 200 Best Law Firms, we have been awarded Law Firm of the Year at the 2024 Lexis Nexis Awards and 2023 Modern Law Awards, reflecting our dedication to legal expertise and client service. We hold Investors in People Gold Standard accreditation for over 15 years, showcasing our commitment to professional development. Duncan Lewis is also Law Society Lexcel, Cyber Essentials Plus, and ISO 27001 certified, ensuring excellence in practice management and data security.

We are committed to recruiting dedicated and talented professionals and welcome applications from exceptional candidates. At Duncan Lewis, we value training and diversity, and we take pride in our inclusive workforce.

The role:

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is looking for an experienced Director to lead its renowned Claims Against Public Authorities and Inquest department.

This role demands significant supervisory experience and a strong command of public law and civil liberties. The successful candidate will be entrusted with strategic oversight of departmental operations, ensuring excellence in casework and mentoring across the legal team.

You will spearhead the preparation and execution of complex litigation matters, conduct high-level legal analysis, supervise evidence gathering, and represent the firm in critical hearings and external forums. As Director, you will also drive the success of key departmental initiatives, including a major outsourcing project, while championing the protection of civil rights and individual liberties..

It is imperative that you can demonstrate an unwavering commitment to protecting individual citizens'civil liberties and a preparedness to fight hard to enforce their human rights.

Main Responsibilities of the Role

• Report directly to and collaborating with the Board to ensure performance targets are met
• Professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills and a sensitive and sympathetic understanding of client needs
• Lead and manage the Claims Against Public Authorities and Inquest department
• Responsible for mixed caseload of inquest work, complaints against public authorities and pre and post-issue claimant litigation.
• Ability to manage appropriate caseload types and supervision of a small team.
• Making CCMS applications to the LAA.
• Attending clients, taking instructions and briefing and liaising with counsel, negotiating with defendants, the IOPC and other legal professionals.
• Dealing with correspondence.
• Identifying the funding options and advising on the most appropriate one.
• To run the caseload of varied, challenging and interesting work.
• Ability to help in marketing the department and the firm through social media.
• Assisting in expansion of the department.

Key Skills Required:

• Solicitor with 5+ years PQE
• Proven Supervisory experience managing legal teams or departments
• Experience working on publicly funded cases (CW1/Legal Help and Licensed/Certificated Work) and working with CCMS
• Ability to demonstrate experience in all areas of Claimant litigation
• Strong theoretical knowledge and demonstrable practical experience of the Civil Procedure Rules
• Strong research, analytical and critical thinking skills
• Knowledge and practical experience of applications for judicial review
• Effective organisational ability, able to work to tight deadlines under pressure
• Must meet LAA supervisor criteria for Legal Aid contract purposes

What we offer

• Highly competitive salary
• A dynamic and committed team culture
• Excellent progression opportunities
• Opportunities for sector recognition and legal awards

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.

Equal Opportunities:

Duncan Lewis is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity of its staff. The Company strives to ensure that our staff reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, which is reflective at all levels within our workforce.

We guarantee an interview for candidates that disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the post. Please provide additional details in your covering letter if this applies.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THE ABOVE VACANCY