Children’s Panel Solicitor

Our client is recruiting for an experienced Children’s Panel Solicitor to join their established Family Law team in Sunderland.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Public Children Law Solicitor to manage a varied and high-quality caseload within a supportive and progressive environment.

The role offers clear opportunities for career progression, including the potential to progress towards Associate level and take on greater supervisory and leadership responsibilities.

The Role

You will manage your own caseload of public children law and care proceedings matters, advising and representing children, parents and other family members.

• Managing a varied caseload of public children law and care proceedings matters.

• Handling care proceedings, child protection matters and emergency applications.

• Dealing with placement and adoption matters, Special Guardianship Orders and discharge applications.

• Advising and representing children, parents and family members in complex and sensitive proceedings.

• Acting through Children’s Guardians where appropriate.

• Managing matters from initial instruction through to conclusion.

• Reviewing evidence and preparing cases for hearings.

• Attending advocates’ meetings, professionals’ meetings and conferences with Counsel.

• Working closely with Children’s Guardians, Counsel, experts, local authorities, support services and court staff.

• Ensuring compliance with court directions, safeguarding requirements and Legal Aid Agency requirements.

• Maintaining high standards of client care, particularly when supporting vulnerable clients.

• Supervising and supporting trainees, paralegals, legal assistants and junior fee earners where appropriate.

• Contributing to business development, networking and the continued growth of the department.

• Building and maintaining relationships with key professional contacts and referrers.

The Candidate

• Be a qualified Solicitor with a minimum of 6 years’ PQE.

• Have substantial experience in Public Children Law and care proceedings.

• Be a current member of the Law Society Children Law Accreditation Scheme / Children Panel.

• Have experience managing their own children law caseload.

• Have a strong understanding of Legal Aid, court procedures, case management and safeguarding requirements.

• Be confident handling complex, sensitive and urgent matters.

• Have excellent client care and communication skills.

• Be able to manage a busy caseload, prioritise effectively and meet strict deadlines.

• Be comfortable working with vulnerable clients and handling highly sensitive matters.

• Have a collaborative approach and an interest in supporting more junior members of the team.

• Have an interest in business development and building professional relationships.

Should you have any questions or wish to apply please do not hesitate to contact Clear Legal and Financial.

Please Note: Due to the number of applications we receive we may be unable to respond to every application directly. If you have not heard from us within 3 working days please assume your application has been unsuccessful.