England and Wales Completed and passed (or expect to pass by 14 March 2024) the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or have an UG degree and completed and passed SQE Part 1.
Areas of Law
Housing, Immigration, Employment and Discrimination
Location
Oakwood House, St Patricks Road, Coventry, CV1 2HL
Starting Salary and Hours
£23,883 p.a. and 37 hours per week
Organisational Benefits
- 28 days holiday (rising by 1 day per year of service to 35 days after 5 years service) + 8 statutory days - Access to an employee assistance programme - Pension contribution
Interview Dates
Interview Date 1: Thursday 18 January 2024 Interview Date 2: Friday 19 January 2024
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Organisation Detail
Central England Law Centre is the largest Law Centre in the UK. We provide specialist legal advice to people across Central England. Our vision is for a fairer, more just society in which an understanding of rights and their power is embedded within communities. We provide advice and representation to people who cannot afford to pay for it in social care and health, welfare benefits, housing, public law, employment, family and immigration and asylum. We advocate for people, challenge unfair decisions, take cases to the highest courts and work in partnerships with other support services. We also deliver services that help people anticipate problems by acting early and tackling the root cause.
What can a trainee expect by training at Central England Law Centre?
Working within a multidisciplinary Law Centre covering 7 areas of social welfare law and project work means trainees will gain invaluable experience in social welfare law. We receive over 6,000 enquiries a year for legal advice and open 1200 legal cases a year and provide around 3,500 pieces of detailed legal advice on a one off basis. A trainee will be able to work alongisde fee earners in a variety of areas of law working on case files, assisting with research, interviewing clients, drafting legal documents, advice letters and attending court and representing clients in the Housing Duty Scheme. The traines will have a detailed training plan to ensure that they are exposed to the nexcessary skills required to become a successful solicitor. This plan will be devised with the aim of getting the trainee to a position whereby they can manage their own caseloads. They will be supported in this by having access to high quality IT systems and a case management system. Trainees are encouraged to become involved in the wider work of the Law Centre and in particular our Rights in the Community Strategy. They will therefore also have exposure to partnership working with other social welfare law providers, local universities, statutory organisations in delivering legal solutions and advice at the earliest opportuntity to prevent problems escalating. Working within a Law Centre environment means that a trainee would be able to work in a holistic wat when dealing with client issues which often include cross team working and recognising trends and public law challenges. We also encourage staff participation in setting the direction of the work the Law Centre does, trainees are able to input into strategic planning, operational and project management along with social and wellbeing activities within the Law Centre. We also hold monthly thematic meetings on particular areas of law that all staff can attend and contribute their insights into the latest trends they have identified from casework and contribute to developing new projects and services.
Main Responsibilities & Duties
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 needs
Carry out duties given to you by your Team Head or colleagues diligently and follow all reasonable instructions
To keep up 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 liase with 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, training events and assisting in implementing and managing a project throughout the training period
Keep a proper record of all work done and training received and comply with all training requirements
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 as appropriate
Person Specification
Essential
A demonstratable commitment to social justice and the ability to work in a sensitive, professional and compassionate waywith 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 system and IT systems including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
Excellent written and oral 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 effecitvely 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 skills 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
