Public Law Solicitor - London

A Legal500, leading law firm is looking to recruit dedicated and experienced Public Law Solicitors for a highly sought permanent position. Gemini Recruitment is currently partnering with a large and established law firm that serves corporate entities and private individuals in over 25 practice areas from offices throughout London and across England and Wales. The firm's accomplishments are acknowledged and recommended in The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as a top tier firm.

The firm holds the Investors in People Gold Accreditation Quality Standard Mark and is LEXCEL, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO accredited and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Public Law Department Background

The Public Law department has experience in all aspects of civil liberties and judicial review against the HMRC, local authority, NHS, planning Judicial Review including obtaining emergency orders and other interim relief to prevent breaches of human rights. 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. The quality of the department is repeatedly demonstrated by its high success rates, with award-winning cases, many of which are recorded in the reported case journals, raising new and important issues, and creating legal precedents for the future.

The Public Law Department is recognised as a leader in its field by Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 for its depth of experience in immigration and civil liberties challenges. As a well-established firm, it is well known to the Legal Aid Agency (LAA), the Courts, and the Government Legal Department (GLD). The firm collaborates with other firms on funding and case management issues and has a close working relationship with a number of barristers' chambers with relevant expertise in public law. The firm carries out both publicly and privately funded work.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Report directly to Department Director
• Responsible for all aspects of Public Law work including providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members
• Ability to manage and supervise Solicitors, Trainee Solicitors and Caseworkers to manage appropriate caseload types and complexities
• Assisting with delivery of appropriate training and development in the department
• Variety of duties including dealing with a range of Public Law work including: Unlawful detention; False imprisonment; Abuse by detention staff and removal escorts; Conditions in detention; Age assessments; Asylum support; Challenging non-appealable decisions; Challenging removal notices; NHS & Local Authority challenges; Policies, practices and decisions made by the Immigration and Asylum Tribunals (First-tier Tribunal / Upper Tribunal); Bail decisions
• The work may also include challenging non-immigration issues such as data protection, housing etc.
• Preparing and managing funding applications to the Legal Aid Agency
• Drafting essential legal documents, including witness statements and processing evidence
• Preparing formal applications, including application forms, indexes of documents, and letters of representation
• Attending client conferences and court hearings

You will have a professional pro-active approach, strong client care skills and be interested in Business Development and Marketing to supplement the substantial work volumes brought in by the company.

Key Skills Required

• Must have a clean, valid Practicing Certificate at the time of applying
• Law Society Immigration Accreditation Level 2 & Supervisor NOT necessary but desirable
• Strong management skills
• Committed team player with ability to approach team concerns fairly, foster a culture of positive change and encourage cross referrals
• Previous proven Solicitor experience and working to key performance indicators
• Professional with a pro-active approach; excellent client care skills and ability to deal with client matters in a sensitive manner to deal with vulnerable clients and resolve complicated practicalities involved in Public Law issues
• Excellent networking and communication skills with the ability to successfully market the Company and generate new business
• Working knowledge of the Legal Aid Guidance for Public Law matters and have the ability to service privately funded cases
• 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 and document management skills

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.