At a Glance
- Tasks: Defend rights, challenge injustice, and support communities in immigration and human rights cases.
- Company: Join Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) and make a difference.
- Benefits: Gain recognised training, develop skills, and receive a competitive salary.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity starting in April 2027 with career growth potential.
- Why this job: Be part of a vital mission to ensure access to justice for those in need.
- Qualifications: Passion for social justice and willingness to learn about immigration law.
The predicted salary is between 32796 - 40084 £ per year.
Do you want to use your skills to defend people’s rights, challenge injustice and support communities affected by immigration control? You could be the next Justice First Fellowship Trainee Solicitor to join GMIAU in April 2027!
The main purpose of this post is to successfully complete a period of recognised training with Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) to qualify as a solicitor and enhance and build GMIAU’s capacity to advise and represent people in their immigration, asylum, human rights and public law cases for the future.
The post carries with it the opportunity to develop a project which will develop your skills, knowledge and understanding of the wider context in which organisations such as GMIAU operate and where ‘access to justice’ is under threat for people in need.
In this role, your responsibilities will be:
- To assist in the conduct of immigration, asylum, human rights and public law cases, under the supervision of experienced solicitors.
- To register as an immigration adviser with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) and with the Law Society IAAS accreditation scheme.
- The trainee is expected to obtain IAA level 3 asylum & immigration and IAAS Senior Caseworker within the first 12 months in post.
- To develop a case load of appropriate cases once qualified to do so.
- To develop a comprehensive understanding of the immigration and public law legal aid contract, including Exceptional Case Funding (ECF).
- To carry out research to assist with cases, as directed by supervisors.
- To keep up-to-date with developments and changes in UK immigration, asylum, human rights and nationality law and practice.
- To become familiar with and use effectively the case management software used by GMIAU.
- To conduct casework in accordance with agreed office practice.
- To ensure compliance with SRA, IAA and IAAS requirements as required.
Trainee Areas of Law: Immigration / Asylum; Human Rights; Public and administrative law.
Interview Dates: 22 January 2027 and 29 January 2027. If successful, the fellowship will begin in April 2027.
Contact for Enquiries: David Pountney
Location: Manchester
Salary Scale: Starting Salary: £27,709
Deadline: 14 December 2026
Justice First Fellowship: Trainee Solicitor in Manchester employer: GMIAU
GMIAU is an attractive employer due to its commitment to social justice and the opportunity for employees to engage in impactful legal work. The organization fosters a collaborative work environment where staff can develop their expertise in immigration and human rights law. Trainees benefit from structured training programs that prepare them for successful careers in the legal field.
