Solicitor - Education (SEN)

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated, hardworking and reliable Solicitor to join our busy Education Law Department based at our Cardiff Office at Cardiff Gate Business Park. Although we are happy to speak with individuals who maybe in the Bristol or Swansea area.

The successful candidate will be NQ – 4 years PQE, with an interest in Education Law. Excellent communication and proven organisational skills are essential, as is your ability to work within a team. It is desirable that you will have previous experience of Education Law but applicants without experience will be considered as full training can be provided.

 

This opportunity would provide an excellent steppingstone for a newly qualified Solicitor, or someone wishing to change practice areas, and looking to continue their career in a leading Education Law Team.

• To undertake work in any area of Education Law, taken on by the Firm, with a particular focus on SEN cases, covering both cases within and outside of the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability). Work may also include and is not limited to admission appeals, school exclusions, school complaints, home to school transport and university disputes.
• You will be required to liaise with various parties on cases including clients, schools, experts, local authorities and the Tribunal/ Court Service.
• Ensure the day-to-day running of files in accordance with firm’s quality standards, Lexcel compliance, and regulatory rules, whilst exercising a high level of competence, skill, care and management.
• You will be required to undertake advocacy, and training can be provided regarding advocacy in Education Law cases if needed.
• To be aware of and comply with the Firm’s policies and procedures including training requirements.  
• To be aware of and adhere to the standard of behaviour and professional etiquette expected by the Law Society.
• As part of the general day-to-day running of cases drafting of documents will be necessary, and therefore excellent drafting skills are required. You will also need to have excellent file and diary management skills to ensure compliance to all Tribunal deadlines and limitation dates.
• You will ensure client information and documentation are saved and maintained on the firm’s Case Management System.

  

 The work is extremely varied and candidates will be required to evidence that they can work on their own initiative and to strict deadlines.  You will have strong communication skills.

• A methodical approach to planning and organising your tasks to ensure they are carried out in a timely manner and to an accurate and high standard.

• Time management is key.
• You will need to work independently and efficiently, whilst also working as part of a busy team.
• To be able to work under pressure
• Confidence in dealing with clients in a caring and professional manner both on the telephone and in person, is essential. 
• Prioritising tasks/duties within expected given case deadlines.
• You will have strong drafting skills and an ability to understand complex points of law
• You will have a desire to develop your advocacy skills
• IT literate with good typing skills and the ability to use; Outlook/ Microsoft Excel/ *Case ManagemenTt system.

 

Competitive salary dependent on experience

26 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Holiday bonus scheme (up to 12 additional days leave)

Pension scheme

Parking (on a first come first served basis)

Comprehensive training and development opportunities including support to study for professional qualifications

Cycle to work scheme

Firm funded eye tests

Medicash Plan

***Note for recruitment/talent agents/agencies – HCB Widdows Mason Ltd undertakes its own recruitment. The recruitment team here is responsible for managing all vacancies and recruitment processes. We use a direct hiring and referral process as a preference. In order to optimise the range of potential candidates we also work with external recruitment/ talent agencies on an Approved Supplier basis. Our recruitment team will make vacancies known to our Approved Suppliers on an individual basis, so not all Approved Suppliers will be able to make introductions on all vacancies that we operate. If a recruitment / talent agent/agency is not able to access a particular vacancy they have not been listed as an Approved Supplier for that vacancy. If an agent/agency is not an Approved Supplier, but still provides an introduction, or CV, that will be treated as a Speculative Approach. Any and all Speculative Approaches will not be subject to the agent/agency’s terms of business and no introduction fee will be payable. Any and all Speculative Approaches are made on the express understanding by the agent/agency that we may still contact the candidate directly and will not be liable for any introduction fee.