SOLICITOR – PUBLIC LAW DEPARTMENT



Person Specifications and Job DescriptionPerson Specification - Family Law Solicitor page 1-2Person Specification - Public Law Solicitor page 3-4Person Specification – Immigration Senior Caseworker page 5-6Job Description – solicitor and caseworker page 7- 11WILSON SOLICITORS LLPSOLICITOR – FAMILY LAW DEPARTMENTPERSON SPECIFICATION ___________________________________________________________________Essential requirements:1 Qualifications and experience:0-3 year qualified solicitor (or due to qualify within the next six months).Experience of working on a publicly funded caseload 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 Motivation for and a commitment to working in a mixed legal aid/private practice such as Wilson Solicitors.A commitment to a long term career in legal practice.2.Practice skills:Interviewing skills – ability to interview clients, take their instructions and advise them.Ability to communicate clearly & effectively in written English – so as to advise clients and make written representations.Ability to prioritise own workload – in a busy and deadline driven environmentAbility to deal effectively with bureaucracy including the Legal Aid AgencyAbility to conduct research, both legal and evidentialAbility to use IT systems, be self-servicing in respect to document production and learn new IT skills as requiredTime management skills – to manage your time effectively and record time spent so as to meet an annual time recording target. Ability to understand and apply the Legal Aid Agency rules and practice pertaining to funding if doing publicly funded work.The commercial awareness to understand the importance to a legal practice of meeting an annual billing target.If undertaking privately funded work the ability to deal confidently with clients in respect to costs and the payment of fees.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:Member of the Law Society Family or Children Panel. Supervisor, or able to become a supervisor in next 12 months, in the family law category Advocacy experience in the County Court and Family Proceedings Courts.Own client following.WILSON SOLICITORS LLPSOLICITOR – PUBLIC LAW DEPARTMENTPERSON SPECIFICATION _____________________________________________________________________Essential requirements:Qualifications and experience:Qualified solicitor (or due to qualify within the next six months).Experience of working on a publicly funded caseload A strong interest in at least one relevant area of law which you have or would like to develop an expertise in; Public Law, Claims against Public Authorities or Community Care.Motivation for and a commitment to working in a mixed legal aid/private practice such as Wilson Solicitors.A commitment to a long term career in legal practice.Practice skills:Interviewing skills – ability to interview clients, take their instructions and advise them.Ability to communicate clearly & effectively in written English – so as to advise clients and make written representations.Ability to prioritise own workload – in a busy and deadline driven environmentAbility to deal effectively with bureaucracy including the Legal Aid AgencyAbility to conduct research, both legal and evidentialAbility to use IT systems, be self-servicing in respect to document production and learn new IT skills as requiredTime management skills – to manage your time effectively and record time spent so as to meet an annual time recording target. Ability to understand and apply the Legal Aid Agency rules and practice pertaining to funding if doing publicly funded work.The commercial awareness to understand the importance to a legal practice of meeting an annual billing target.If undertaking privately funded work the ability to deal confidently with clients in respect to costs and the payment of fees.Desirable requirements:Voluntary, paid or campaign work demonstrating a commitment to civil liberties Supervisor in or able to become a supervisor in next 12 months in any of Public Law, Community Care or CAPA legal aid categories WILSON SOLICITORS LLPSenior Immigration CaseworkerPERSON SPECIFICATION ___________________________________________________________________Essential requirements:Qualifications and Experience :Accredited as a Senior Caseworker under the Law Society Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme (or as an Assistant Caseworker with the intention of becoming accredited as a Senior Caseworker in the near future)Experience of conducting immigration or asylum caseworkAn interest in SIAC cases and at least one area of immigration or asylum law practice.A commitment to working in a mixed legal aid/private practice.A commitment to a long term career in legal practice.Practice skills:Interviewing skills – ability to interview clients, take their instructions, and advise themAbility to communicate clearly & effectively in written English – so as to advise clients and make written representations.Ability to prioritise own workload – in a busy and deadline driven environmentAbility to deal effectively with bureaucracy – such as UKVI and the Legal Aid Agency Ability to conduct research, both legal and evidentialAbility to use IT systems, be self-servicing in respect to document production and learn new IT skills as requiredTime management skills – to manage your time effectively and record time spent so as to meet an annual time recording target. Ability to understand and apply the Legal Aid Agency rules and practice pertaining to funding and the commercial awareness to understand the importance to a legal practice of meeting an annual billing target.Desirable requirements:Class 2:1 undergraduate degree (or a distinction in the GDL or LPC)Undergraduate or post graduate studies relating to immigration, refugee or human rights law.Voluntary, paid or campaign work concerning refugees, immigrant communities or human rights. __________________________________________________________________WILSON SOLICITORS LLPJOB DESCRIPTION – SOLICITOR and CASEWORKER1. CASE CONDUCTDefinition:Every case receives the optimum level of skill and level of professional competence.Performance Standards:Performance is satisfactory when:advice and action is kept within the areas of competence as defined in the job description/person specification or the case is referred appropriatelythe client’s case is attended diligently to achieve the best possible outcomecase deadlines are achieved.2. CASE ADMINISTRATIONDefinition:All cases are efficiently administered.Performance Standards:Performance is satisfactory when:a case is opened, all information accurately and systematically recorded and the database is kept up to datefor complex cases a case plan is devised and kept updatedappropriate funding for the case is advised identified and obtainedall time expended on a matter is accurately recorded if using the services of others you ensure that they are on the firm’s approved list and that their performance is monitored the post holder complies with the file review procedure all correspondence and communications is attended to in a timely fashionall time is accurately recorded on the file and on the office computerised time recording software3. CLIENT CAREDefinition: 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:at the outset of the case the legal issues are establishedyou ensure that the client is kept updated on case progressthe client is informed in writing of the firm’s complaints procedure and you ensure that any complaints are processed in accordance with that procedurethe 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 costsclient confidentiality is maintained at all timesyou comply with the SRA Standards and Regulations 2019.4. SUPERVISIONDefinition:(If employed in a supervisory role). 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:your supervisee receives induction training, including office practices and professional conduct standards applicable to his/her jobDiscipline, appropriate behaviour and productivity is maintained by your superviseeTrainee 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 support5. COST MANAGEMENTDefinition: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 Legal Aid Agency regulations.Performance Standards:Performance is satisfactory when:the case is adequately fundedall internal financial controls and instructions are followedfiles are given to admin support by the end of the week in which they concludeprivate clients are asked for appropriate sums on account and interim bills are rendered at intervals agreed with the clientbills are checked for accuracy and not signed until you are satisfied that all is correctall LAA returns are dealt with promptlyall disbursements are paid within 7 days of receipt of paymentreductions on bills submitted are considered and necessary appeals done in a timely fashion6. OFFICE MANUALDefinition:Compliance with the procedures outlined in the office manual where it affects your role.Performance standards:Performance is satisfactory when:you are fully conversant with the Office Manual and its contentsyou keep up-to-date with changes in the Manualyou communicate changes to the Manual to any supervisee and ensure that they understand the implications of those changesEDUCATION AND TRAININGDefinition:Identification of education and training required to maintain professional and administrative skills, knowledge and competence.Performance StandardsPerformance is satisfactory when:you identify your training requirements and request training through your supervisor and keep your training record and professional development plan up to date.b) you comply with the continuing competence requirements set by the SRAyou report on courses attended to your departmental meetingc) you comply with the requirements of the office manual regarding trainingTARGETSDefinitionYou will be set reasonable and achievable targets for fee income and chargeable hours. These are set to ensure that the firm generates sufficient fees from hours worked by fee-earners to cover the costs of the business.Performance StandardsPerformance is satisfactory when:a)the target for fee income is met.b) the target for chargeable hours is met. ................
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