Senior Caseworker

Refugee Legal Support is recruiting a Senior Caseworker to join our UK legal team in London. The role combines managing our family reunion pro bono project, with a caseload of asylum and immigration work under our legal aid contract, including appeals and judicial review.

About Refugee Legal Support

Refugee Legal Support (RLS) is a UK charity working with people on the move in the UK, France and Greece. RLS provides legal advice, casework, outreach and training, and works in partnership with law firms and community organisations to protect people's rights throughout the migration process.

Job title

Senior Caseworker

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time, 37.5 hours a week

Location

London

We are interviewing on a rolling basis and maintain the right to close when we have found a suitable candidate

Early December 2026

Key responsibilities

• Manage RLS's family reunion pro bono project day to day and act as the main point of contact for partner firms' pro bono teams.
• Assess and register referrals, carry out conflict checks, allocate cases to partner firms, and monitor progress, key dates and deadlines.
• Give pro bono lawyers technical guidance and case support on family reunion law, procedure and evidence.
• Review refusals, advise clients on challenges and reapplications, and take on appeals where appropriate.
• Design and deliver training for pro bono lawyers.
• Maintain project systems, record project data accurately and provide project updates for funder and partner reports.

2. Casework and representation

• Manage a varied caseload of asylum, protection, human rights, family reunion and related immigration matters, progressing cases efficiently, strategically and in the client's best interests.
• Prepare appeals to the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal
• Prepare judicial review work, including pre-action correspondence, evidence and claim documents, working with the UK Casework Lead and counsel.
• Instruct counsel and experts where appropriate, using RLS's approved provider list, and consult clients on their selection.
• Give clear, accurate and accessible advice, including to clients who need interpreters, have complex needs or have experienced trauma.

3. Legal aid, compliance and quality

• Open, progress, close and bill files in line with LAA contract requirements (controlled and licensed work), the Specialist Quality Mark (SQM) and the RLS Legal Aid Manual.
• Apply merits, means and evidence requirements correctly, and make funding applications, including Exceptional Case Funding, where needed.
• Work towards agreed billing targets.
• Keep accurate, up-to-date records on RLS's case management system, including key dates.

4. Team and wider contribution

• Share legal updates and case learning with the legal team, and support colleagues through case discussion.
• Run trainings for the wider sector, on a needs basis
• Identify policy issues arising from casework and the project, and contribute to evidence gathering and strategic work where appropriate.

5. General responsibilities

• Carry out the role in line with RLS's policies, including equality and diversity, safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection and health and safety.
• Take part in supervision, file reviews, legal team meetings and appraisals.
• Maintain your practising certificate and/or IAAS accreditation, and complete at least 6 hours of training each year, including at least 3 hours in immigration law.
• Undertake other duties reasonably required and in keeping with the nature and seniority of the post.

Person specification

• IAAS Level 2 Senior Caseworker accreditation or solicitor with a current practising certificate
• Experience of managing an asylum and human rights caseload, including initial claims and appeals to the First-tier Tribunal; experience of working within an LAA contract, including matter starts, merits and means tests, and billing
• Knowledge of refugee family reunion and Article 8 family routes, and experience of preparing family reunion applications
• Ability to manage a project alongside a caseload, including referrals, case allocation and monitoring
• Experience of coordinating pro bono projects or working with commercial law firms; experience of supporting, mentoring or supervising other lawyers (desirable)
• Strong knowledge of UK asylum, immigration and human rights law, Tribunal procedure
• Excellent drafting, legal research and case preparation skills; ability to instruct counsel and experts effectively
• Ability to deliver clear, practical training to lawyers
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise, manage deadlines and keep accurate records; excellent written and verbal communication in English; strong relationship management skills; good IT skills, including case management systems
• Experience of working sensitively with vulnerable and traumatised clients
• Commitment to RLS's mission, to the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum, and to equality and diversity
• Right to work in the UK; willingness to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate (RLS covers the cost)

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