Solicitor

Legal Aid Board; Galway; On-site; EUR 46,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

The Legal Aid Board is inviting applications from fully qualified Solicitors with an interest in public service and the capacity to provide high-quality legal advice and representation to the Board’s clients. Following a competition, a Panel will be established from which temporary and permanent positions may be filled in Galway over the next 12 months.

Salary ranges €45,651 to €81,946 by increments, with two long service steps to €84,348 and €86,953.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified solicitor appointment with capacity to advise and represent clients.
• Eligibility to admission to the Roll of Solicitors by 2 November 2026.
• Desirable experience in civil/legal aid contexts and mediation settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal services within Civil Legal Act and regulations.
• Deliver legal services in a timely and professional manner.
• Engage with stakeholders to promote the Board as a legal and mediation service provider.

Skills

Legal advice

Client representation

Public service

Timely service

Education

Roll of Solicitors

Tools

EOS

Job description

The Legal Aid Board is an independent, publicly funded organisation which provides family mediation, civil legal aid & advice and vulnerable witness related services. We are also responsible for the administration of a number of ad hoc criminal legal aid schemes.

Applications are invited from fully qualified Solicitors with an interest in public service and the capacity to provide high-quality legal advice and representation to the Board’s clients.

Following a competition, a Panel will be established from which temporary and permanent positions may be filled in the 12 months following the Panel’s establishment. The competition is confined to positions in Galway.

The salary for Solicitor Grade III ranges from €45,651 to €81,946 via annual increments (which are subject to satisfactory service). Two long service increments, payable after a further 3 and 6 years, bring the salary scale to €84,348 and €86,953

Entry point will be at the minimum of the scale, different pay and conditions may apply subject to Government pay policy procedures. For the purposes of this competition, candidates may be offered up to point 3 (i.e. €56,067) at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer and based on post qualification experience.

Overview of the Role

The Key Features of the Role are:

• To assist in the provision of legal services to the Board’s clients to whom legal aid and/or advice has been granted, within the terms of the Civil Legal Act, 1995, and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations;
• Provide quality legal service to clients, in a timely and professional manner.
• Deliver legal services in compliance with the Board’s policies, procedures and supervisors’ instructions
• Actively contribute to ensuring the law centre delivers services in an efficient, effective and customer-oriented manner.
• Ensure effective use of the Board’s case management system (EOS)
• Ensure clients are given meaningful non-court-based options for resolving family disputes
• Engage with stakeholders to promote the role of the Legal Aid Board as a service provider both in relation to legal services and mediation services
• The role may involve assisting clients seeing international protection with particular emphasis the EU Migration Pact (EUMP).

Essential Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must, on or before the 2nd November 2026 be eligible for admission to the Roll of Solicitors and/or be admitted to the Roll of Solicitors. Where candidates are currently or were previously admitted to the Roll of Solicitors that they be entitled to hold a Practising Certificate issued by the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland (without any restrictions attached) and must continue to be so entitled to hold such a certificate.

It will be a matter for the Legal Aid Board to determine the eligibility of candidates having regard to their qualifications and experience. An invitation to interview is not an acceptance of eligibility.

The Board has family friendly policies and extensive opportunities for further training and education. Experience at professional level is desirable but not essential.

The Legal Aid Board is an equal opportunities employer. We promote inclusivity and diversity in the workplace and actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

If you require accommodations to be made during the recruitment process, please let us know in advance and we would be happy to assist.