Public Law Solicitor x3 - City of London / Nationwide

Duncan Lewis Solicitors (Ltd) is regulated by the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority and was founded in 1998, headquartered in the City of London 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 key practice areas. We are a paperless law firm with over 500 personnel that embraces hybrid-working, servicing both corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 areas of law across 60 languages.

Choosing a career with Duncan Lewis means joining the largest provider of publicly funded (legal aid) legal services in the country, with a growing private client practice. We have demonstrated unparalleled legal expertise and a commitment to justice, awarded Law Firm of the Year at both the 2024 Lexis Nexis Awards and 2023 Modern Law Awards. We are named as one of the Times 200 Best Law Firms and were celebrated by the Chambers Europe Award for diversity and inclusion.

Our Public Law team is applauded by the Legal 500 UK directory as a dynamic team, exceptional in ability and reach. The department undertakes both publicly (legal aid) and privately funded work, with experience in all aspects of civil liberties and judicial review claimant matters against the Home Office, HMRC, local authority, NHS, including obtaining emergency orders and other interim relief to prevent human rights violations. The department regularly follows up judicial reviews with actions for damages in both the County and High Courts and successfully pursues matters to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Main Responsibilities of the Role:

• Report directly to Department Director
• Responsible for all aspects of Public Law work including providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members
• Manage and supervise Solicitors, Trainee Solicitors and Caseworkers
• Assist with delivery of appropriate training and development in the department
• Deal with a range of Public Law work including unlawful detention, false imprisonment, abuse by detention staff, conditions in detention, age assessments, asylum support, challenging non-appealable decisions, NHS & Local Authority challenges, and bail decisions
• Prepare and manage funding applications to the Legal Aid Agency
• Prepare draft documents including witness statements and processing evidence
• Attend conferences and court

You will have a professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills, and be interested in Business Development and Marketing.

Key Skills Required:

• Must have a clean, valid Practising Certificate at the time of applying
• Be committed and highly driven to provide an excellent standard of service to clients
• Strong management skills
• Committed team player with ability to foster a culture of positive change
• Previous proven supervisory experience and working to key performance indicators
• Excellent networking and communication skills
• Working knowledge of the Legal Aid Guidance for Public Law matters
• Extensive experience in dealing with all Public Law related work
• Experience in own advocacy is an advantage
• Excellent IT Skills - familiar with Microsoft Office applications

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.

Duncan Lewis is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity of its staff. We guarantee an interview for candidates that disclose a disability and meet the essential requirements for the post.