Job Description

Family Children Law Solicitor Central London

Salary: Specialist Children Panel Work Clear Progression Pathway

Our client a highly respected specialist law firm with a long-established Family Department is looking to appoint a Family Children Law Solicitor to join their Central London team. This is an excellent opportunity for a children law specialist to work on complex high-profile public law children cases develop their advocacy and progress within a supportive expert-led department.

About the Role

You will join a well-regarded Family Department advising on the full spectrum of family law with a particular focus on public and private children law including care proceedings adoption abduction family finance and international matters.

Working closely with the Head of Department and senior colleagues you will :

• Manage a varied caseload of public and private law children matters
• Act for parents carers and children (where applicable) in care proceedings
• Handle complex and sensitive cases often involving vulnerable clients
• Conduct your own advocacy where appropriate
• Contribute to the department's business development and profile

This is a genuinely career-building role for a solicitor who wants to deepen their expertise in children law and become a recognised specialist in the field.

Key Responsibilities

Public Law Children & Care Proceedings

• Running a busy caseload of care and supervision proceedings
• Representing parents carers and children in public law matters
• Preparing detailed case strategies statements and evidence
• Liaising with counsel experts guardians and external agencies

Private Children & Modern Family Law

• Advising on private children disputes including contact and residence
• Involvement in modern family law work (where applicable)
• Exposure to child abduction and cross-border issues (with support and training)

Advocacy & Case Management

• Conducting advocacy at hearings where appropriate
• Ensuring effective case progression and compliance with court timetables
• Maintaining high standards of file management and record-keeping

Business Development & Team Contribution

• Building and maintaining referral relationships in the local area
• Supporting the ongoing development of the Family Department
• Contributing to team meetings supervision and knowledge sharing

Candidate Requirements

Essential

• Solicitor with a minimum of 3 years PQE in family / children law
• Significant experience in public law children matters and care proceedings
• Comprehensive knowledge of Legal Aid regulations and procedures
• Strong advocacy skills confident in preparing and conducting hearings where appropriate
• Proven ability to manage a varied and demanding caseload independently
• Excellent communication and client care skills with a sensitive and empathetic approach
• Collaborative team player able to work effectively with colleagues at all levels
• Commitment to high professional standards and continuous development

Highly Desirable

• Law Society Children Panel membership or currently working towards accreditation
• Experience representing children as well as parents / carers
• Experience or demonstrable interest in child abduction and international children law
• Experience in cross-border child abduction matters and / or involvement with the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU)

Technical Skills & Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)
• Strong understanding of:

Public law children proceedings

• Private children disputes
• Legal Aid funding and regulations
• Confident using case management systems and standard legal IT tools
• Ability to draft clear robust legal documents statements and correspondence

Location & Working Arrangements

• Location: Central London office (excellent transport links)
• Working pattern: Full-time with hybrid working available after probation
• Office-based work for court attendance client meetings and team collaboration with flexibility to work from home part of the week

Salary Benefits & Progression

Salary: (depending on experience and accreditation)

• Benefits include:

Hybrid working and flexible working arrangements

• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Support for Law Society Children Panel accreditation (if applicable)
• Ongoing CPD training and supervision from leading practitioners
• Well-structured career progression with opportunities to:

Take on increasingly complex cases

• Develop a specialist profile in children law
• Progress towards senior / lead roles within the Family Department

Our client offers a supportive values-driven environment where children law specialists can build a long-term career and make a genuine impact for vulnerable clients.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Family Children Law Solicitor looking to take the next step in your career with a respected Central London firm we would love to hear from you.

Please send your CV or a confidential enquiry to:

Mara Watson Legal Recruitment Consultant

Email

All applications will be handled with the strictest confidence . Your details will not be shared with our client or any third party without your prior consent.

Employment Type: Full-Time