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 and Welfare Benefits
Location
VNC Millenium Resource Centre, Blenheim Street, Liverpool, L5 8UX
Starting Salary and Hours
£24,496 p.a. and 35 hours per week
Organisational Benefits
- Cycle to work scheme - Medicash Health Cash Plan
Interview Dates
Interview Date 1: Wednesday 17 January 2024 Interview Date 2: Thursday 18 January 2024
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Organisation Detail
Vauxhall Law Centre has, since 1973, provided a specialist social welfare legal advice service in one of the top 1% most deprived areas in the country (surrounding areas also in this percentile). We are Lexcel accredited and recently awarded Legal Aid contracts in Housing, Welfare Benefits and Public Law. We offer a holistic and comprehensive advice service through to end-to-end casework on welfare benefits and housing advice for people ineligible for legal aid online, by phone or face-to-face.
What can a trainee expect by training at this organisation?
Vauxhall Community Law & Information Centre is a small community-based Law Centre and has been in existence since 1973 serving the community of the City of Liverpool.
Our Vision:
To provide free legal advice, assistance and representation on all legal matters particularly to the residents or those employed in the Vauxhall district of Liverpool.
To conduct and contribute to research into any area of law and to disseminate the results of such activities.
Provide public legal education to individuals or other such community organisations on legal matters concerned with the welfare of deprived communities.
Promote a better understanding of the role of the law and the legal rights and duties of individuals.
Sponsor research into the legal needs of deprived areas.
There will be an opportunity to work in the welfare benefits and housing teams which is led by a solicitor who was formerly a Justice First Fellow and winner of the LAPG, Legal Aid Newcomer of the Year award. The Centre has recently been awarded Legal Aid contracts to enable the post holder to run public law cases.
Candidates will need to demonstrate a strong interest in the work we do at Vauxhall Community Law & Information Centre, focusing on welfare benefits, housing and public law as well as the following qualities:
An evidenced interest in social justice, human rights, social welfare, asylum and immigration, civil liberties, family law, or public and administrative law.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to be diplomatic, compassionate, and empathetic. Willingness to take opportunities to build the skills and networks for a long career in social welfare law.
The desire to build a career using law as a tool for social justice.
Person Specification
Essential
Undergraduate degree at 2:1 or above (or equivalent qualification) and an aspiration to be a social welfare solicitor
Good understanding of social welfare law
Understanding of legal aid
Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities issues and its relevance to legal aid
Understanding of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory principles and be able to apply them when dealing with colleagues and clients
Knowledge and understanding of the importance of fundraising to the sustainability of Law Centres
Excellent communication skills (written, spoken and telephone)
Ability to prioritise own work, meet key date deadlines and targets.
Flexibility and willingness to work as part of a team.
Ability to conduct casework, organise and maintain files
Ability to act as an advocate at Tribunal/Court
Ability to use Case Management System
Willingness to work in line with policies and procedures as set down in the Quality Manual
Willingness to undertake a DBS check
Commitment to campaign on access to justice issues and social justice
Commitment to a high quality of client care and ability to work in a sensitive and professional way with clients from a wide variety of cultural, ethnic and educational backgrounds and with a range of different needs
