Coventry (with possibility of work also in Birmingham)
Grade/Salary
£20,932 £21,616 (in second year)
Hours
37 hours per week
Central England Law Centre is the largest Law Centre in the UK. We provide free specialist legal advice to people across Central England. We want to live in a society where people’s rights are upheld, their needs met and they are enabled to thrive. We provide advice and representation to people who cannot afford to pay for it in the following areas of social welfare law: Social Care and Health, Welfare Benefits, Housing, Public Law, Debt, Employment, Family and Immigration and Asylum.
Organisation Detail
We advocate for people, challenge unfair decisions, take cases to the highest courts and work in partnerships with other support services. As well as helping people move from crisis to stability, we deliver services that help people anticipate problems by acting early and tackling the root cause.
To provide the trainee with the opportunity to develop, practise and gain experience in the skills required to satisfy the Threshold Standard as set out by the Solicitor Regulation Authority to qualify as a Solicitor.
Responsibilities
To advise clients through a combination of appointments, home visits and telephone advice as appropriate
To identify clients’ objectives and undertake casework in a professional and ethical manner
To represent clients at court as appropriate
To work in partnership with other organisations who are supporting our client group
To work collaboratively with colleagues to provide a high quality, holistic service for clients that is able to address multiple legal needs
Carry out duties given to you by your Team Head or colleagues diligently and follow all reasonable instructions.
To keep up to date with current legislation, case law and policy
To maintain cases to standards required by Central England Law Centre
To conduct casework in compliance with your professional obligations and Legal Aid Agency requirements
To complete public funding forms via CCMS and paper applications where appropriate
To liaise with the Legal Aid Agency in respect of funding applications and claims
To assist with the prompt billing and costing of files
To record time spent on casework and ensure all client related work is recorded on the case management system
To attend training courses as appropriate
To comply with the requirements of the Legal Education Foundation including attending conferences and training events
Keep a proper record of all work done and training received and comply with all training requirements
General
To demonstrate commitment to the aims, principles and policies of the Law Centre and abide by policies and procedures as set out in the Office Manual and Staff Handbook
To attend staff meetings and external meetings and seminars when necessary
Any other task reasonably required within the context of this post
Person Specification
A demonstrable commitment to social justice and the ability to work in a sensitive, professional and compassionate way with a wide variety of clients.
An understanding of the importance of confidentiality and Data Protection
A non-judgemental attitude
Experience of using a case management systems and IT systems including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise multiple pending tasks and provide realistic timescales for completion, to ensure that key deadlines are met, and to work effectively when under time pressure.
The ability to learn quickly and develop new skills
Ability to get on with people and be polite under pressure and to work co-operatively as part of a team.
Attention to detail and sufficient numeracy to complete legal aid and costing forms.
Self-motivated, able to work independently and on own initiative and able to organise own workload.
Ability to work as part of a team and with partner agencies
