Post: Child Abduction Solicitor 5 years + PQE

The firm

  1. Founded in 1929 T V Edwards LLP has experienced rapid growth since 2008 and has one of the largest family teams in thecountrywith an expanding private client base.
  2. The firm has London offices in Whitechapel and Clapham.
  3. We are committed to providing a high quality service to all our clients whether privately paying or legally-aided.
  4. We are listed as a firm and family department in both the Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession and Legal 500with a number of individual family solicitors listed as recommended lawyers.
  5. Please see our web site for further information in relation to our areas of practice and the profiles of our staff.

The familydepartment

The family department is based at our offices in Whitechapel and Clapham. There are currently 2member partners,2salaried partners, 11solicitors,6 consultant solicitors, 2trainee solicitors and 4 paralegals in the department.

We have a strong commitment to training our staff. We deliver regular internal training courses for staff of all levels of experience. We also offer a supportive working environment, with individual monthly supervision meetings, regular team and department meetings and an open door policy.

Child abduction solicitor

The familydepartmentseeks to appoint an experienced family law solicitorwith a specialism in child abduction matters.This is an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to further develop their management and/or supervisory skills in a supportive and thriving team, and help take a key role in the child abduction team’s development and future

Appointment is subject to a six month probation period which may be extended at the discretion of the member partners.

An induction programme will be provided which will introduce you to office systems and our computerised case management system.

Description of role

  • Running a caseload of family law files including international child abduction casesunder the Hague Convention for both Applicant and Respondents, applications under the Inherent Jurisdiction/wardship, enforcement/recognition under Brussels II Revised, international permission to remove/relocation cases, private law children cases and domestic violence applications
  • Effective supervision of the child abduction team ensuring high levels of client care and substantive case work are maintained
  • Development of the child abduction team
  • Continuing professional development to ensure excellent technical knowledge
  • Committing to maintaining professional, Legal Aid Agency, Lexcel and firm standards.
  • Achieving goals set including in relation to time recording and billing

Person specification

(a)Essential Characteristics

  • 5years + PQE as a family law solicitor
  • Resolution Specialist Accreditation including Child abduction portfolio/Law Society Family Law Advanced Accreditationincluding child abduction and wardship portfolio
  • Legal Aid Agency supervisor status or meets the criteria for LAA supervisor status
  • Detailed knowledge of Legal Aid Agency’s regulations and guidance
  • Good marketing, networking, business development skills and commercial awareness.
  • Ability to work well as part of a team
  • Ability to motivate self and team
  • Ability to feed into the departmental management process and management requests
  • Ability to communicate effectively with the firm’s client group
  • Excellent written communication skills including impeccable grammar and punctuation
  • Commitment to follow the Resolution Code of Practice
  • Ability to prioritise, work efficiently under pressure and to meet deadlines and targets
  • Adaptability and enthusiasm to learn and develop skills

(b)Desirable characteristics

  • Previous experience of managing and/or developing a team
  • Proficiency in social media

The application process

The firm welcomes applications from all sectors of society and is committed to equality and diversity in all aspects of practice and within this application process.

Applications must be on our firm application form.

The application form together with completed equality monitoring questionnaire must be returned to Christine Woolfenden, HR Manager, at our Whitechapel office.

Please email to .

We will require references from two separate referees before an offer of employment can be confirmed.

Terms and conditions

  • Your starting salary will be commensurate with experience
  • You will be entitled to 23 days annual leave.
  • The firm offers family friendly policies for example, child care voucher scheme.

1 / Child Abduction Solicitor Application Pack September 2017