Claims Against Public Authorities and Inquest Solicitor

A Legal500, leading national law firm is looking to recruit dedicated Solicitors for a highly sought permanent position. Training contracts available for those with relevant experience. Our client serves corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 practice areas from offices throughout London and across England and Wales. Our client's accomplishments are acknowledged and recommended in The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, as a top tier firm. Our client holds the Investors in People Gold Accreditation Quality Standard Mark and is LEXCEL, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001-2013 accredited and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

About the role: The candidate will undertake a mixed caseload of complaints and civil claims against the police and other public authorities, judicial reviews, inquests and injustices. The department has been expanding within the firm steadily for a number of years and attracts high profile and interesting work. The successful candidate will conduct supervised casework and also support other lawyers in the department. You will be involved with case preparation generally and, as part of that role, will be expected to conduct legal research, take proofs of evidence from clients and witnesses, attend both court hearings and conferences. 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. Previous experience in this specific area is highly desirable but all applications will be considered.

Main Responsibilities of the Role:

• Reporting directly to the Department Director
• Possessing a professional and pro-active approach, strong client-care skills and a sensitive and sympathetic understanding of client needs
• Responsibility for mixed caseload of inquest work, complaints against public authorities and pre and post-issue claimant litigation.
• An ability to manage appropriate caseload types and the supervision of a small team.
• Making online CCMS applications to the LAA (both for CAPA category work and for Exceptional Case Funding).
• Attending clients, taking instructions and briefing and liaising with counsel, negotiating with defendants, the PPO, IOPC and other legal professionals.
• Dealing with daily correspondence.
• Identifying funding opportunities and assessing options and advising on the most appropriate one.
• To run a caseload of often high profile, varied, challenging and interesting work.
• An ability and willingness to assist the Department Director in marketing the department and the firm through social media, attendance at seminars and conferences and elsewhere.
• To assist with the continued expansion of the department.

Key Skills Required:

• Qualified Solicitor with 2-5 years' PQE or Chartered Legal Executive with equivalent experience in civil liberties and human rights law.
• Substantial Claims Against Public Authorities (CAPA) litigation experience is essential; Inquest experience is desirable.
• Previous proven supervisory experience and working to key performance indicators.
• 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.
• Strong research, analytical, and drafting skills.
• Ability to meet KPIs and work under pressure to tight deadlines.
• Excellent IT Skills - familiar with Microsoft Office applications and document management skills.

Why Join Us?

• Work with one of the UK's leading law firms recognised for excellence.
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive, friendly and welcoming workforce committed to equal opportunities.
• Access ongoing professional development and training.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary.
• The opportunity to join a heavyweight civil liberties firm which promotes a healthy collegiate environment in which to do great work, grow, be supported and be yourself.
• Work within a friendly, collaborative and cohesive team.
• Excellent progression opportunities.
• Support for appropriate legal awards/recognition.

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other duties as reasonably required. On offer is an attractive salary package, a supportive team environment and real prospects for promotion. The Company will allow hybrid-working in accordance with the company policy. The company is committed to Equal Opportunities and embraces diversity and inclusivity of its staff and strives to ensure that their workforce reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.