Community Care and Public Law Solicitor

About the Firm

Our client is a specialist legal aid and private law firm with offices across the UK, including London, Brighton, West Sussex, Cornwall, Somerset, Bristol, Nottingham, Cambridge and The Wirral.

The firm is committed to social justice and access to justice, with a particular focus on protecting the rights of vulnerable clients. Lawstop has established a strong reputation in legal aid work and is the UK’s largest provider of housing legal aid.

The Role

Due to continued success, our client is looking for an experienced and ambitious Community Care Solicitor to join its growing legal aid practice in London.

The successful candidate will specialise in challenging unlawful decisions made by Children’s and Adult Social Services, representing disabled and vulnerable adults, children and elderly clients where their rights or access to appropriate care and support are at risk.

This is an excellent opportunity for a solicitor who is passionate about public law, community care and social justice, and who wants to join a progressive firm where client care and achieving the best possible outcomes are at the heart of the work.

You will manage your own varied claimant caseload while working closely with colleagues specialising in housing and public law.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing a diverse community care and public law caseload from instruction through to conclusion.
• Advising vulnerable clients on their legal rights and the appropriate course of action.
• Challenging unlawful decisions, assessments and care plans.
• Advising on local authority safeguarding duties and potential breaches.
• Identifying and pursuing appropriate Judicial Review challenges.
• Dealing with potential Court of Protection matters where appropriate.
• Drafting correspondence, legal submissions and other documentation.
• Conducting negotiations and advocacy where required.
• Maintaining high standards of client care and communication.
• Ensuring all casework is progressed efficiently and in accordance with relevant procedures.
• Complying with Legal Aid Agency requirements and managing matters through CCMS.
• Accurately recording time, billing and concluding matters promptly.
• Keeping up to date with developments in community care, public law and legal aid.
• Providing supervision to colleagues where appropriate.

About You

We are looking for a committed and client-focused solicitor with at least 2 years’ experience working within community care, public law and/or Court of Protection.

You will ideally have:

• Strong experience managing a claimant caseload involving community care and/or public law.
• Good knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and current developments.
• Experience challenging social services decisions, assessments and care plans.
• Knowledge of Legal Aid funding and CCMS.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with vulnerable clients.
• Strong organisation and time-management skills.
• Experience working to targets and managing competing priorities.
• Excellent IT skills.
• A genuine commitment to access to justice and protecting the rights of vulnerable people.
• A current practising certificate.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to join a specialist, growing legal aid practice with a clear commitment to social justice.

You will benefit from:

• A varied and meaningful community care caseload.
• The opportunity to work alongside experienced housing and public law specialists.
• Ongoing training, development and support.
• A modern and flexible approach to delivering legal services.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• A genuinely client-focused and collaborative environment.
• The opportunity to develop your career within a specialist legal aid firm.

Inclusion & Diversity

Our client is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. The firm welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances and is committed to providing equal opportunities throughout the recruitment process.

Flexible working arrangements are available, and applicants can request any reasonable adjustments or support required during the recruitment process.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to: Liam O’Sullivan

📧 liam.osullivan@themisrecruit.com