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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic social justice team to enhance legal aid services and support community-focused work.
- Company: Join a mission-driven organisation dedicated to social justice and access to legal aid.
- Benefits: Opportunity for professional growth, collaborative environment, and meaningful community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills in legal services.
- Qualifications: 6+ years as a solicitor with strong legal aid expertise and management potential.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from underrepresented groups.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Working closely with your co-head, you will provide shared leadership to a dynamic social justice team, supporting excellent casework, nurturing staff development, and building strong, values-led partnerships. Your remit will include strengthening and growing our legal aid services, securing sustainable funding to support community-focused work, and influencing policy and practice to improve access to legal aid for the communities we serve.
Please Note: We do not expect the appointee to generate legal aid income at a multiple of their salary (although we do want to build this area of income initially to at least £25,000 to £30,000 per annum across the team). The role is focused on developing legal aid practice and income across the team, as part of a mixed-income organisational model.
As Joint Head of Legal Services, you will:
- Support Strategic Development: Contribute to developing the direction and priorities of Release’s legal services, including expanding legal aid work and strengthening access to justice.
- Provide Practice Leadership: Support a multidisciplinary team of solicitors, legal advisers and volunteers to deliver excellent, trauma-informed legal support.
- Ensure Quality and Compliance: Help ensure consistent regulatory compliance and quality assurance across legal casework, including legal aid requirements.
- Strengthen and Grow Services: Help develop and improve legal service delivery models, including responding to emerging needs and client priorities.
- Contribute to Systemic Change: Support Release’s wider mission by helping connect legal services with policy, research, and advocacy work.
This role is ideal for someone with strong legal aid expertise and management potential, who wants to take a meaningful step into senior leadership whilst continuing to centre client care, justice and harm reduction.
Person Specification
Essential
- Minimum 6 years + post qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate, and
- Minimum 4 years + substantial experience in legal aid casework, supervision and/or compliance, and
- Minimum 2 years + experience of supervising others and/or management experience and
- Substantial experience in public law, housing law, and/or community care law within legal aid practice, and
- Strong commitment to social justice, harm reduction, and trauma-informed practice.
Desirable
- Experience working in a charity or non-profit organisation.
- Experience supporting, contributing to, or developing test case work, policy-linked casework, or other legal work aimed at achieving wider systemic or community impact, including through indirect, collaborative, or emerging roles.
- Understanding of the impact of drug policy and criminalisation on marginalised communities.
- Experience in developing new services, partnerships, or funding-linked delivery models.
We are committed to building a legal services team that reflects the communities we work alongside and embeds equity, inclusion, and accessibility at every level of our organisation. We aim to support people to grow into leadership roles with confidence, recognising that talent and potential are developed through opportunity as much as experience. If you are motivated by community impact, collaboration, and strengthening access to justice through legal aid, we encourage applicants who meet the core requirements to apply, even if their experience does not align with every element of the person specification. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of marginalisation and from groups currently under-represented in senior legal leadership.
Joint Head of Legal Services - Legal Aid in London employer: Release - L.E.A.D.S
Contact Detail:
Release - L.E.A.D.S Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Joint Head of Legal Services - Legal Aid in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field and let them know you're on the hunt for a new role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's values and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in their mission, especially around social justice and legal aid.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Joint Head of Legal Services. Highlight your leadership skills and commitment to community-focused work to make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and contributing to meaningful change.
We think you need these skills to ace Joint Head of Legal Services - Legal Aid in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in legal aid and management. We want to see how your skills align with our mission and the specific role.
Showcase Your Passion: Let us know why social justice matters to you! Share your commitment to harm reduction and trauma-informed practice, as these values are at the heart of what we do at StudySmarter.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Release - L.E.A.D.S
✨Know Your Legal Aid Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your legal aid knowledge before the interview. Understand the current challenges and opportunities in the sector, especially around funding and access to justice. This will show your passion for social justice and your readiness to lead.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your management experience and how you've supported teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you've nurtured staff development or led a multidisciplinary team. This is your chance to demonstrate your potential as a Joint Head of Legal Services.
✨Connect with Their Mission
Familiarise yourself with the organisation's mission and values. Be ready to articulate how your personal commitment to social justice aligns with their goals. This connection can set you apart as a candidate who truly understands and cares about the work they do.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex legal scenarios. Think through some casework examples where you had to influence policy or improve service delivery. This will help you showcase your practical experience and strategic thinking.
