We are a busy, friendly North London Firm with offices in Tottenham and near Chancery Lane. We are highly committed to both legal aid and also privately funded work. We currently have 3 Legal 500 recommended Family solicitors and we are ranked in Chambers & Partners for Public Children law.
We are pleased to announce that we are recruiting a Public Law Care Solicitor to join our Family Law team.
We require dynamic individuals who are efficient and experienced (0-3 years PQE desirable) with excellent oral and written communication skills. You should have requisite experience in working on public law children’s cases and be a confident Court Advocate who is computer literate and able to work to tight deadlines within a team environment.
We offer a competitive salary, 6 weeks holiday and flexible working arrangements.
We are particularly keen to receive applications which demonstrate experience of advocacy in both public and private law family work.
The person specification, job description, and diversity form are located on the current vacancies page at www.wilsonllp.co.uk.
Please email your CV and cover letter application to Aysen Soyer at jobs@wilsonllp.co.uk
Wilson Solicitors LLP
We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Closing date:
Download the Person Specification here
Essential requirements:
1. Qualifications and experience:
1.1 0-3 year qualified solicitor (or due to qualify within the next six months).
1.2 Experience of working on a publicly funded caseload
1.3 A strong interest in at least one or more of the following: divorce & financial remedies, public and private law children matters, international abduction and/or adoption, surrogacy, and domestic violence injunctions
1.4 Motivation for and a commitment to working in a mixed legal aid/private practice such as Wilson Solicitors.
1.5 A commitment to a long term career in legal practice.
2. Practice skills:
2.1 Interviewing skills – ability to interview clients, take their instructions and advise them.
2.2 Ability to communicate clearly & effectively inwritten English – so as to advise clients and make written representations.
2.3 Ability to prioritise own workload – in a busy and deadline driven environment
2.4 Ability to deal effectively with bureaucracy including the Legal Aid Agency
2.5 Ability to conduct research, both legal and evidential
2.6 Ability to use IT systems, be self-servicing in respect to document production and learn new IT skills as required
2.7 Time management skills – to manage your time effectively and record time spent so as to meet an annual time recording target.
2.8 Ability to understand and apply the Legal Aid Agency rules and practice pertaining to funding if doing publicly funded work.
2.9 The commercial awareness to understand the importance to a legal practice of meeting an annual billing target.
2.10 If undertaking privately funded work the ability to deal confidently with clients in respect to costs and the payment of fees.
2.11 Ability to network and promote the firm’s services to others and generate a client following and work referrals for yourself and for the team.
Desirable requirements:
1.1 Member of the Law Society Family or Children Panel.
1.2 Supervisor, or able to become a supervisor in next 12months, in the family law category
1.3 Advocacy experience in the County Court and Family Proceedings Courts.
1.4 Own client following.
Download the Job Description here
1. CASE CONDUCT
Definition:
Every case receives the optimum level of skill and level of professional competence.
Performance Standards:
Performance is satisfactory when:
a) advice and action is kept within the areas of competence as defined in the job description/person specification or the case is referred appropriately
b) the client’s case is attended diligently to achieve the best possible outcome
c) case deadlines are achieved.
2. CASE ADMINISTRATION
Definition:
All cases are efficiently administered.
Performance Standards:
Performance is satisfactory when:
a) a case (or files) is opened, all information accurately and systematically recorded and the database is kept up to date
b) for complex cases a case plan is devised and kept updated
c) appropriate funding for the case is advised identified and obtained
d) all time expended on a matter is accurately recorded
e) if using the services of others you ensure that they are on the firm’s approved list and that their performance is monitored
f) the post holder complies with the file review procedure
g) all correspondence and communications is attended to in a timely fashion
h) all time is accurately recorded on the file and on the office computerised time recording software
3. CLIENT CARE
Definition:
All legal issues of a case are identified and the client receives regular reports on those issues. The client is informed of the strategy to be followed on his/her behalf and this advice is confirmed in writing.
All clients are treated to the highest possible professional standards including; adhering to meeting times, level of respect, courtesy and quality of advice.
All clients are informed of the complaints procedure and cost implications of their cases.
Performance Standards:
Performance is satisfactory when:
a) at the outset of the case the legal issues are established
b) you ensure that the client is kept updated on case progress
c) the client is informed in writing of the firm’s complaints procedure and you ensure that any complaints are processed in accordance with that procedure
d) the client is advised in writing at the outset of the case of the cost implications. You should also keep the client updated every six months with regard to costs
e) client confidentiality is maintained at all times
f) you comply with the SRA Code of Conduct 2011.
4. SUPERVISION
Definition:
To lead, motivate and develop staff to maximise their performance in their jobs and ensure compliance with the professional standards set by the Law Society and the Firm.
Performance Standards:
Performance is satisfactory when:
a) your secretary and/or support person receives induction training, including office practices and professional conduct standards applicable to his/her job
b) Discipline, appropriate behaviour and productivity is maintained by your secretary and/or any other member of staff working on your cases
c) Trainee solicitors and/or any staff carrying out legal work on your cases are given tasks within their capability and provided with an appropriate level of support
5. COST MANAGEMENT
Definition:
Clients are advised of the most appropriate method of funding their cases, including public funding, conditional fees or on a private basis.
Where funded publicly, accurate claims for remuneration are made at the appropriate times in accordance with the Office Manual and LSC regulations.
Performance Standards:
Performance is satisfactory when:
a) the case is adequately funded
b) all internal financial controls and instructions are followed
c) files are given to admin support by the end of the week in which they conclude
d) private clients are asked for appropriate sums on account and interim bills are rendered at intervals agreed with the client
e) bills are checked for accuracy and not signed until you are satisfied that all is correct
f) all Legal Aid Agency returns are dealt with promptly
g) all disbursements are paid within 7 days of receipt of payment
h) reductions on bills submitted are considered and necessary appeals done in a timely fashion
6. OFFICE MANUAL
Definition:
Compliance from yourself and your staff with the issues outlined in the office manual where it affects your role.
Performance standards:
Performance is satisfactory when:
a) you are fully conversant with the Office Manual and its contents
b) you keep up-to-date with changes in the Manual
c) you communicate changes to the Manual to your staff and ensure that they understand the implications of those changes
7. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Definition:
Identification of education and training required to maintain professional and administrative skills, knowledge and competence.
Performance Standards
Performance is satisfactory when:
a) you identify your training requirements and request training through your supervisor
b) you achieve the CPD hours required by the Law Society
d) you report on courses attended to your departmental meeting
c) you comply with the requirements of the office manual regarding training
Saturday appointments are available at our Central London office with Ana Gonzalez by prior arrangement.
Wilson Solicitors LLP is a limited liability partnership, registered in England and Wales with registered no OC347380. The registered office is the above address. Wilson Solicitors LLP is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales with registered no 520695. The principal applicable professional rules are the Solicitors' Code of Conduct. We use the word 'partner' to refer to a member of the LLP, or an employee or consultant who is a lawyer with equivalent standing and qualifications. A list of members' names and a list of those non-members who are designated as partners are open to inspection at the registered office. The partners are solicitors of England and Wales. VAT no 553990412
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