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- Tasks: Lead and supervise legal aid services focused on social justice and community care.
- Company: Join Release, a values-driven organisation dedicated to systemic change.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, 29 days holiday, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the lives of marginalised communities while growing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 4+ years as a solicitor with experience in legal aid and supervision.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a commitment to staff wellbeing and training.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Spitalfields London E1 5LJ – Hybrid – FTE/ PT applicants welcomed (For FT min. 3 days in office/2 days working from home/Part-time to be agreed)
Holidays: 29 days + public holidays/ Pro rata
Contract Type: Permanent / Part or Full-time
Release is seeking to appoint a Supervising Solicitor — with genuine flexibility for part‑time or full‑time working — to help shape and expand our legal services at the intersection of social justice, housing/public/community care law, and harm reduction. This role is particularly well‑suited to candidates seeking reduced hours, portfolio careers, or a position that allows for balance alongside caring responsibilities, studies, or other commitments.
The successful candidate will join a values‑driven organisation delivering high‑quality casework, innovative community‑based legal services, and strategic litigation aimed at systemic change. We also want to ensure this opportunity is open to people who are strongly committed to social justice and the legal rights of marginalised communities, and who have substantial experience of legal aid in housing, public and/or community care law. If this is you, and you meet the minimum criteria for the Supervising Solicitor – Legal Aid role, but you may not yet have built up a body of work, please do apply.
Please note: We do not expect the postholder to generate legal aid income at a multiple of their salary. While we do aim to grow legal aid income across the team to an initial target of £15,000–£25,000 per annum, the focus of this role is on developing high‑quality legal aid practice and building sustainable income collectively, as part of a mixed‑income organisational model.
Person Specification
- Minimum 4 years + post qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate
- Minimum 3 years + substantial experience in legal aid casework, supervision and/or compliance
- Minimum 1 year + experience of supervising others
- Experience in public law, housing law, and/or community care law within legal aid practice
- Strong commitment to social justice, harm reduction, and trauma-informed practice
- Approved legal aid supervisor with the Legal Aid Agency
- Experience working in a charity or non-profit organisation
- Experience supporting or contributing to strategic litigation or test case work
- Understanding of the impact of drug policy and criminalisation on marginalised communities
- Experience in developing new services, partnerships, or funding-linked delivery models
About the Role
The Supervising Solicitor – Legal Aid is a key role in shaping and strengthening Release’s legal services. Working closely with the Joint Head of Legal Services and Executive Director, and in collaboration with other colleagues, you will supervise the delivery of high-quality legal advice and representation, supporting the growth of legal aid practice whilst ensuring Release continues to train and develop social justice lawyers for the future.
We are looking for an experienced legal aid practitioner who is strongly committed to social justice and the legal rights of marginalised communities, and who wants to build leadership experience in a movement-led organisation. The role will combine hands‑on practice, leadership, supervision and compliance responsibilities.
As Supervising Solicitor – Legal Aid, 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 Supervision: Support a multidisciplinary team of solicitors, legal advisers and volunteers to deliver excellent, trauma‑informed legal support. Support and mentor team members on how to adhere to legal aid file compliance, time recording and CCMS applications.
- 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 legal aid expertise and management potential, who wants to take a meaningful step into leadership whilst continuing to centre client care, justice and harm reduction.
What We Offer
- A values‑driven, collaborative environment.
- Opportunities to grow leadership skills within a movement‑led legal services team.
- Commitment to staff wellbeing and professional development.
- Training in trauma‑informed leadership and harm reduction approaches.
- The opportunity to directly support systemic change and improve access to justice for marginalised communities.
- Opportunities for overseas travel.
Apply
To apply please send us your CV and up to 3 pages on why you want to apply for the position, work at Release and are suitable for the role addressing the person specification and job description. Once completed please email your documents to: leadership@release.org.uk using the reference Ref: SSOL0426 in the subject line. You will receive an automated receipt.
Closing date for applications: Monday 30 March 2026 at 5pm. Interviews: Commencing the week Monday 6 April 2026.
Release – Supervising Solicitor (London) employer: Young Legal Aid Lawyers
Contact Detail:
Young Legal Aid Lawyers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Release – Supervising Solicitor (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who are passionate about social justice. Attend events or webinars related to legal aid and community care law to meet potential colleagues and mentors.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Release and its mission. Understand their values and how they align with your own commitment to social justice. This will help you articulate why you're the perfect fit for the Supervising Solicitor role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! Be ready to discuss specific cases where you've made a difference in legal aid, housing, or community care law. Highlight your supervisory skills and how you've supported others in their legal journeys.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Release.
We think you need these skills to ace Release – Supervising Solicitor (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you and how your values align with our mission at Release. Don’t be afraid to share your passion for social justice and legal aid.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to address the person specification and job description directly in your application. Highlight your relevant experience in legal aid, supervision, and community care law. This shows us that you understand what we’re looking for!
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we love a good story, keep your application focused and to the point. Aim for clarity in your writing, and make sure to stick to the page limit. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to send your CV and application to us via email as specified! Using the reference in the subject line helps us keep track of your application. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Young Legal Aid Lawyers
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of legal aid, housing law, and community care law. Familiarise yourself with Release's mission and values, as well as recent developments in social justice. This will show your genuine interest and commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that highlight your experience in supervising others and managing legal aid cases. Be ready to discuss how you've contributed to systemic change or developed new services in your previous roles.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since this role involves working closely with a multidisciplinary team, be prepared to talk about your collaborative experiences. Share how you've supported and mentored colleagues in the past, especially in trauma-informed practices and compliance.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the future direction of Release’s legal services or how they measure success in their community impact. It shows you're engaged and thinking critically about the role.