Supervising Solicitor

Location: London

Salary: £40,000 - £50,000 DOE + Commission

Experience: 3+ years PQE

Job Type: Full-time

Salary & Benefits:

• £40,000 - £50,000 DOE
• Commission structure linked to fees generated from candidates bringing their own caseload/client following
• Standard annual leave entitlement
• Private medical insurance
• Professional development and training
• Opportunity to take on significant Supervising Solicitor and COLP responsibility
• Supportive and collaborative working environment

About the Role:

We are working with a growing specialist law firm looking to appoint an experienced Solicitor to join its Immigration and Family departments. This is a key appointment for the firm. The successful candidate will combine fee-earning responsibilities with Supervising Solicitor and COLP responsibilities, playing an important role in the firm's supervision, compliance and regulatory framework.

We are looking for a 3+ PQE solicitor with a strong background in either Immigration or Family Law. You do not need to be an expert in both disciplines; the firm is open to candidates with a strong specialism in one area alongside relevant exposure to, or an interest in developing experience within, the other. The successful candidate will manage their own caseload, work closely with clients and have the opportunity to develop their fee-earning practice across both departments. Candidates who can bring their own caseload or existing client following will have the opportunity to benefit from an attractive commission structure linked to the fees generated.

Supervising Solicitor & COLP Essential:

Taking on Supervising Solicitor and COLP responsibilities is an essential part of this role. This is not simply a future progression opportunity; the successful candidate will be expected to undertake these responsibilities as part of their appointment. The relevant SRA approval/application process will commence as soon as the successful candidate joins the firm. The firm is particularly interested in candidates who already hold, or have previously held, a Supervising Solicitor or COLP position. Candidates who have not previously held these roles but have the appropriate experience and are ready to take on the responsibility will also be considered, subject to meeting the relevant SRA requirements.

The role will include:

• Supervising and supporting members of the legal team
• Providing appropriate oversight of legal work and case management
• Supporting the firm's regulatory and compliance obligations
• Maintaining appropriate supervision and file management standards
• Supporting risk and compliance processes
• Assisting with the firm's wider regulatory responsibilities
• Supporting junior members of the team
• Working with management to maintain high professional and regulatory standards

Immigration Work:

Candidates with an immigration background will have the opportunity to handle a broad range of UK immigration and nationality matters, including:

• Entry clearance and leave to remain applications
• Skilled Worker and other Points-Based System routes
• Global Business Mobility and other work-based immigration matters
• Sponsor licence applications and compliance
• Family and partner immigration applications
• Settlement and Indefinite Leave to Remain
• British citizenship and nationality matters
• Complex immigration advisory work
• Immigration appeals and litigation
• Judicial Review and public law matters
• Preparation of legal representations, witness statements and supporting documentation
• Liaising with the Home Office, tribunals, courts, barristers and other professionals

Experience of immigration appeals, litigation or Judicial Review would be particularly advantageous.

Family Law Work:

The firm is developing its Family Law offering and is looking for a solicitor who can contribute to the growth of this area. Current Family work includes:

• Divorce and separation
• Financial remedy matters
• Children matters and arrangements for children
• Parental responsibility disputes
• Family disputes and relationship breakdown
• Family matters with an immigration or nationality element
• Negotiation, mediation and dispute resolution
• Family court proceedings and advocacy where appropriate

Experience of Family and Immigration crossover matters would be particularly beneficial.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage your own caseload with a high degree of autonomy
• Work across both Immigration and Family Law as appropriate
• Provide clear, practical and client-focused legal advice
• Prepare applications, legal submissions, pleadings, statements and correspondence
• Conduct negotiations and liaise with clients, courts, tribunals, barristers and other professionals
• Represent clients at hearings and proceedings where appropriate
• Maintain strong client relationships and manage expectations effectively
• Work towards agreed fee-earning targets
• Develop new business and build your own client base
• Take on Supervising Solicitor and COLP responsibilities
• Support and supervise junior members of the team
• Maintain high standards of compliance and case management

About You:

You will ideally have:

• Qualification as a Solicitor in England & Wales
• 3+ years PQE
• A strong background in either Immigration or Family Law
• Experience managing your own caseload with a good level of autonomy
• Previous COLP or Supervising Solicitor experience, or the appropriate experience and willingness to take on these responsibilities
• Strong client care and communication skills
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and organisational skills
• The ability to handle complex and sensitive matters professionally
• A commercially minded approach and confidence working towards fee-earning targets
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider team
• An interest in developing experience across both practice areas

Particularly Advantageous:

• Previous COLP experience
• Previous Supervising Solicitor experience
• Experience across both Immigration and Family Law
• Immigration appeals and litigation experience
• Judicial Review experience
• Advocacy experience
• Business immigration and sponsor licence experience
• Nationality and British citizenship work
• Family/Immigration crossover experience
• An established client following or ability to bring your own caseload
• Additional Asian or South Asian language skills

If you are a 3+ PQE Solicitor with a strong background in Immigration or Family Law and have the experience and ambition to take on Supervising Solicitor and COLP responsibilities, this is an excellent opportunity to take on a role with genuine responsibility and scope for progression. The firm is particularly interested in candidates who can combine strong legal expertise with supervision, compliance and regulatory responsibility, while developing their own fee-earning practice. Apply today for a confidential conversation about the opportunity.