Law Centres Network

Hammersmith & Fulham Law Centre (HFLC) require a solicitor for thei Child Poverty Unit. This is an exciting opportunity for a solicitor to undertake strategic litigation that will improve life chances for children and families. HFLC anticipate the project will include advice and litigation on housing, income and benefit issues and public law but there is a broad remit to develop the project.

• Salary: £36,000 per annum
• Working hours: 35 per week (flexible and job-share considered)

HFLC offer a wide range of benefits including 30 days annual leave, pension, enhanced family friendly policies, the possibility of flexible working and significant opportunities for learning, development and campaigning. HFLC have newly refurbished offices in Hammersmith with excellent transport connections to the Piccadilly/District and Hammersmith & City Line tubes.

Hammersmith and Fulham Law Centre have a 40-year history of providing an excellent service to the local community. Their patron is Supreme Court President, Lady Hale. In 2017 their Director won the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Outstanding Achievement Award.

HFLC is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all candidates who meet the person specification regardless of age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or race.

For an application pack email: hflaw@hflaw.org.uk
Closing date: 9 September 2019

South West London Law Centres (SWLLC), one of the largest and most progressive Law Centres in the country, is seeking a highly experienced, motivated and accredited Immigration/Asylum Solicitor or Caseworker to be seconded and take part in a 2 year funded project for Here for Good.

Here for Good is a charity founded in February 2018, established to assist EEA citizens and their family members to secure their status in the UK post-Brexit. SWLLC’s immigration team are highly respected and won Legal Aid Team of the Year - Solicitors Journal Awards 2017. SWLLC have a strong emphasis on quality and client care, earlier this year we were related as “Excellent” in a Legal Aid Agency Peer Review

SWLLC can offer flexible working and generous benefits.

POST:

• Immigration Solicitor/Caseworker to be seconded to a 2 year funded Here for Good Project
• Salary: £30,000
• Project: Here for Good
• Term: Two-year fixed term
• Based at Croydon with outreach and delivery at other locations

Closing date: 4 September 2019, 12:00 noon
Interviews: soon after.

The post is available for an immediate start. If you would like to discuss the post further, please email recruitment@swllc.org.

Applications should be made in the form of a cv and covering letter. Please click here for the job application pack.

South West London Law Centres (SWLLC) is a community based legal Aid practice and an independent registered charity providing specialised legal advice and assistance covering Wandsworth, Merton, Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton in South West London. SWLLC focus on social welfare Law, undertaking casework and representation in areas such as Debt, Employment, Immigration and Asylum, Housing and Welfare Rights.

SWLLC are currently looking to recruit volunteers to assist their Employment Caseworker with the smooth running of our daytime Employment pro bono clinics which run on and every Thursday and Friday from the Croydon branch, which is based at the 5th floor, Davis House, Robert Street, Croydon, CR0 1QQ.

Legal aid is now restricted to very limited Employment scenarios, mainly for claims of discriminations. SWLLC continue to offer a wide range of high-quality employment legal services at as low a price as possible to people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford a solicitor. During their pro bono clinics, their caseworker, assisted by our volunteers, offers a free half hour appointment to assess the case and advise and discuss which options are available to clients. Further work can be agreed upon a fee.

The ideal candidate will assist their Caseworker with interviewing clients, researching and discussing relevant Employment Laws, drafting of care letters etc.

Selection criteria

The ideal candidate should be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in Employment law, i.e. previous work experience in this area or having studied the employment elective.

Ideally, you should be a current LPC/BPTC student or recent LPC/BPTC graduate.

The ideal candidate should be able to commit at least one day per week, either Thursday or Friday for a continuous period of 3 months. References would be released only after this time.

Terms

SWLLC is able to offer up to £10.55 towards the cost of the travelling and lunch expenses, to be used at candidates’ discretion.

Vacancy start date: as soon as possible

To apply, please send an up to date CV and covering email with subject line Employment Caseworker volunteer, to volunteers@swllc.org.

SWLLC will respond to offer an informal interview to the most suitable candidates.

Central England Law Centre (CELC) is the UK’s largest Law Centre, with a national reputation for innovation and excellence in its legal practice. CELC are a charity providing free legal advice to some of the most disadvantaged people in our community and currently employ over 60 staff in Coventry and Birmingham and work with volunteers and students from local universities.

CELC are looking for an experienced immigration practitioner who shares their passion for social justice to join our established team in Coventry providing advice and representation to victims of domestic violence to resolve their immigration problems.

This post is supporting a successful partnership project with leading women’s organisations in Coventry and you will key in helping to protect some of the most vulnerable women in the city and empower them to transform their family’s lives.

Preferably you will be OISC level 2 accredited or accredited at IAAS level 1 and have some understanding of family law processes. You will also have experience of working with victims of domestic violence or transferrable skills that demonstrate your ability to work with this client group.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play an essential role in a friendly organisation.

Location:
This post is based at Oakwood House, St Patrick’s Road, Coventry; 5 minutes from the railway station.

Terms and conditions:

• Part-time 18.5 hrs
• Salary negotiable up to £29,704 pro rata based on experience and qualifications
• Include 28 days holiday (rising by a day every year after 2 years of service) plus 8 statutory days and pension scheme membership.

For an application pack please email recruitment@centralenglandlc.org.uk Applications may be submitted by post or by email to recruitment@centralenglandlc.org.uk.

Closing date: 10am Thursday 29 August 2019
Interviews: Tuesday 3 September 2019

CELC strive to be an equal opportunities employer. Their offices are wheelchair accessible.

SWLLC is a community based, Legal Aid practice and a registered Charity working across six boroughs, Croydon, Merton, Kingston, Richmond and Sutton and Wandsworth, helping people accessing, understanding and enforcing their legal rights.

1- SWLLC provides full legal casework, representation and advice in the following areas of social welfare law: Community Care, Debt, Employment, Housing, Immigration and Asylum and in a very limited way in Welfare Rights.
2- SWLLC housing solicitors are also duty solicitors at the County Court Duty Scheme, giving emergency advice and representation in possession hearings at Croydon, Kingston and Wandsworth County Court.
3- In addition to their busy daytime casework and Court services, SWLLC run the largest network of pro bono solicitors in the UK. Last year, over 400 City and local solicitors took part in the scheme, providing free independent legal advice in areas of law no more covered by Legal Aid, such as Immigration, Family, Crime, Employment as well as disputes between tenants and landlords, Personal Injury, General Litigation, Contract, help with Small Claims. The scheme runs weekly, mainly in the evenings, with up to 16 sessions across 5 boroughs, Croydon, Wandsworth, Merton, Wimbledon and Kingston.

SWLLC are looking for a dynamic and resourceful person to help with the smooth running of the weekly Merton Legal Advice Clinic, on and every Tuesday and Wednesday between 6.30 pm and 9.00 pm.

The ideal candidate will have strong inter personal skills as well as a strong administrative background. The main task will be to welcome our volunteer solicitors to the sessions and allocate them members of the public who are seeking their assistance understanding their legal rights. The Merton Legal Advice Clinics offer pre-booked appointments to clients, but it will still be necessary to manage the queue. The ideal candidate will be required to work independently and take on responsibility for the opening and closing of the office.

Occasionally, you may be asked to provide cover for annual leave and sickness to other evening receptionists from our other offices.

• Post: Merton Evening Surgery Receptionist- 5 hours a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• Salary: London Living Wage £10.55 ph
• Reports to: Client Services Manager
• Line Manages: Client Services Support
• Term: Part time and Permanent
• Based at: SWLLC Merton Branch- Legal Advice Clinics 112 London Road, SM4 5AX
• Closing date: as soon as a suitable candidate is found

For a job description, person specification and to apply, please vist SWLLC's website.

SWLLC is a community based, Legal Aid practice and a registered Charity working across six boroughs, Croydon, Merton, Kingston, Richmond and Sutton and Wandsworth, helping people accessing, understanding and enforcing their legal rights.

1- SWLLC provides full legal casework, representation and advice in the following areas of social welfare law: Community Care, Debt, Employment, Housing, Immigration and Asylum and in a very limited way in Welfare Rights.
2- SWLLC housing solicitors are also duty solicitors at the County Court Duty Scheme, giving emergency advice and representation in possession hearings at Croydon, Kingston and Wandsworth County Court.
3- In addition SWLLC run the largest network of pro bono solicitors in the UK. Last year, over 400 City and local solicitors took part in the scheme, providing free independent legal advice in areas of law no more covered by Legal Aid, such as Immigration, Family, Crime, Employment as well as disputes between tenants and landlords, Personal Injury, General Litigation, Contract, help with Small Claims. The scheme runs weekly, mainly in the evenings, with up to 16 sessions across 5 boroughs, Croydon, Wandsworth, Merton, Wimbledon and Kingston.

SWLLC are looking for a dynamic and resourceful person to help with the smooth running of the weekly Kingston Legal Advice Clinic, on and every Tuesday between 6.15 pm and 8.45 pm.

The ideal candidate will have strong inter personal skills as well as a strong administrative background. The main task will be to welcome SWLLC volunteer solicitors to the sessions and allocate them members of the public who are seeking their assistance understanding their legal rights. The Kingston Legal Advice Clinics run on a first come, first served basis and it will be necessary to manage the queue. The ideal candidate will be required to work independently and take on responsibility for the opening and closing of the office.

Occasionally, you may be asked to provide cover for annual leave and sickness to other evening receptionists from our other offices.

• Salary: London Living Wage £10.55 ph
• Reports to: Client Services Manager
• Line Manages: Client Services Support
• Term: Permanent
• Based at: Kingston Legal Advice Clinics, at the back of the Kingston CAB.
• Closing date:  as soon as a suitable candidate is found

For a job description, person specification and to apply, please visit SWLLC's website.

Salary: Up to £25,000 p.a. + generous terms and conditions.

Tower Hamlets Law Centre (THLC) helps some of the most vulnerable people in London’s East End. Since our foundation in 1975, THLC have earned a fine reputation amongst their clients and supporters as skilled and determined legal advisers to the local community.

THLC are currently seeking an experienced welfare benefits caseworker to join their busy team. As well as thorough knowledge of welfare benefits law, you’ll have a talent for explaining complex legal ideas in simple language and the ability to manage a demanding workload.

Please visit our website to download an application pack.

Completed applications should be returned to recruitment@thlc.co.uk by the closing date, Sunday 25 August 2019.

South West London Law Centres (Croydon office) are looking for volunteers for their Immigration Department.

Immigration and asylum work at SWLLC is legal aid- and grant funded, enabling us to undertake a broad and interesting range of work. In addition SWLLC are funded by the Home Office to assist vulnerable EU nationals and their family members to apply for settled-or pre-settled status. This volunteer role will include some admin work such as bundling and form filling, but SWLLC take care to balance this evenly with tasks from which you will gain legal knowledge, such as legal research and drafting of advice letters, legal representations and submissions to Home Office and tribunal, and to provide you with all the information you need to gain as much knowledge as possible from each task.

If you are interested in immigration accreditations other than the OISC 1 EUSS accreditation (which this cohort of successful recruits will receive), SWLLC are happy to provide all the necessary guidance for any level accreditation.

Selection criteria

• Academic requirement: 2.1 degree - if non-LLB, you must have graduated from your GDL with a Commendation. Ideally, you should be a current LPC/BPTC student or recent LPC/BPTC graduate, having achieved at least a Commendation in your LPC/BPTC (within the last 2 years)
• Essential key requirement: ability to demonstrate a genuine interest in immigration and asylum law, including the EU- and settled status aspect. Work experience in these areas or having studied the immigration law elective is not essential as we ensure that, if you are sufficiently motivated and capable, you learn a lot very quickly by volunteering here.
• Availability requirements: at least one day per week - if your availability fluctuates, we should be able to accommodate that, and some legal research tasks undertaken from home will also be supported, in particular to accommodate those with work-, study-, family- or caring responsibilities.
  
  
• Vacancy start date: Immediate
• Benefits: Lunch- and travel expenses are reimbursed at £10.50 per day, to be spent at volunteers’ discretion

If you meet these selection criteria, you will be invited for a two-day trial period, during which time your performance will be assessed. After your second day you will receive an email informing you whether you have passed your trial period and whether SWLLC would wish for you to volunteer for them on a regular basis. This process is necessary to ensure SWLLC receive the high calibre assistance their significant and sensitive workload demands.

To apply, please send a simple CV and covering email with subject line IMMIGRATION PARALEGAL VOLUNTEER, addressing in your covering email the above points, to agnete.gribkowski@swllc.org

Islington Law Centre (ILC), one of the largest Law Centres in the country, is seeking to recruit an experienced IAAS Level 2 or above Asylum & Immigration Solicitor/Senior Caseworker.

The successful applicant will join an experienced, creative team of dedicated professionals noted for their high quality provision of specialist legal advice and representation. The team received a Category 1 score for their last Independent Peer Review for the Legal Aid Agency in relation to their Legal Aid casework, and have had a number of successes in achieving notable outcomes for clients.

Experience of working to Legal Aid Contract processes is essential.

• Salary: £34,986 to £38,403. Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience.
• 3% auto enrolment pension contribution, in line with government criteria.
• 35 hour week, excellent Terms and Conditions

For an application pack please visit Islington Law Centre's website or email: recruitment@islingtonlaw.org.uk

Closing date for applications: 5pm Wednesday 28 August 2019
Interviews: Monday 9 September 2019

Established in 1981 Wiltshire Law Centre (WLC) has an outstanding reputation locally in the free advice sector. You will have the exciting opportunity to build your Immigration advice hub as part of our recently awarded LAA Immigration & Asylum contract in WLC's central Swindon offices.

As a dispersal Town your expertise will be greatly valued by the residents of Swindon and you will have the opportunity to shape the service and build relationships with other agencies all as part of a well-established Law Centre.

WLC offers:

• Salary between £31,043 - £33,831 pa (pay review pending)
• Non-hierarchical collective working
• 27 days annual leave + statutory hols
• 5% pension contribution
• Permanent position

You shall:

• be able to self-supervise under SRA and SQM standards
• have a minimum two years’ experience of immigration and asylum casework
• be a qualified Immigration Solicitor and hold Supervisor status to IAAS Level 2
• be experienced in close working with colleagues, local agencies and the Tribunal Service

To request an information pack, including job description and specification, please email: Richard.hazell@wiltslawcentre.co.uk.