Eventus Legal are seeking an experienced and credible Duty Solicitor with at least 1 year’s PQE in criminal matters to join a highly successful award-winning multi-service Legal 500 firm based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The role has been created due to growth and expansion in the existing team. This is a full time, permanent job offering a competitive salary up to £45,000, 25 days holiday, hybrid working, profit sharing bonuses, Benenden healthcare, annual salary reviews, biannual social events, company pension, cycle to work scheme, secretarial support, ongoing training and professional development.

Role Responsibilities:

The incoming Duty Solicitor will be responsible for providing support in the following areas:

• Represent clients at police stations, providing timely, professional, and comprehensive legal advice during interviews and throughout the detention process
• Ensure clients’ rights are protected at all times, including attending out-of-hours callouts when required
• Manage a diverse and demanding caseload of criminal defence matters, handling cases across the full spectrum of offences from minor summary matters to more serious and complex allegations. This includes taking instructions, preparing cases, liaising with clients, witnesses, experts, and external agencies, and ensuring all work is conducted in line with regulatory and procedural requirements
• Conduct advocacy in the Magistrates’ Court, including representing clients at first appearances, bail applications, case management hearings, and summary trials
• Where applicable (for candidates with Higher Rights of Audience), undertake advocacy in the Crown Court, including hearings such as Plea and Trial Preparation Hearings, sentencing, and other procedural matters
• Provide clear, practical, and strategic legal advice to clients, ensuring they are fully informed at every stage of their case and supported throughout the legal process
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records, meet key deadlines, and ensure compliance with Legal Aid Agency requirements and firm policies

Person Specification:
The successful Duty Solicitor based in Leeds, West Yorkshire will be working within a dynamic and growing team, offering an excellent opportunity for professional development within an award-winning law firm. You will have the following experience -

• Solicitor with at least 1 year’s PQE in criminal matters
• Crime duty accreditation is preferred but not essential (successful candidates without accreditation will be expected to obtain it)
• Excellent communication and strong advocacy skills
• IT proficiency and ability to work with case management systems
• Ability to manage a demanding caseload with minimal supervision
• Pragmatic, professional, and positive approach to work
• Passion for publicly funded legal work
• Strong attention to detail and confidence to work independently as well as in a team
• Excellent client and team building skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and remain calm under pressure

Benefits and Rewards:

This Duty Solicitor role comes with a wide range of benefits including:

• Salary up to £45,000 (DOE)
• 25 days annual leave + 8 Bank Holidays
• Profit sharing through bonuses
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Pension Scheme with employer contribution
• Benenden Health Care
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Ongoing training and development and supportive supervision from mentors
• Annual appraisals and salary reviews
• Biannual parties for Summer and at Christmas.
• Additional perks and benefits
• Competitive training packages

About the company:

Our client is an award winning Legal 500 practice with offices across England, who have built a strong reputation across areas such as criminal defence, family law, housing, and civil liberties. Their team is made up of experienced and credible solicitors and advocates who combine deep legal expertise with a genuinely compassionate approach. They don’t just handle cases they support people through some of the most challenging moments in their lives. One of the firm’s defining qualities is its dedication to legal aid work. At a time when access to legal representation can be limited, they continue to champion fairness and equality, ensuring that everyone has a voice, regardless of their financial situation. Professional, approachable, and driven by a strong sense of justice, they are a firm that truly puts people first including its employees.

Next Steps

Apply now to be considered for this career enhancing job opportunity. Alternatively, for a confidential discussion about this Duty Solicitor job, please send your CV to Vanessa Grey at the Eventus Recruitment Group via email at vanessa.grey@eventuslegal.com or phone 07572 760099.

If this job is not right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact me at the details above for a confidential discussion on your career. The Eventus Recruitment Group are award winning recruitment specialists operating in the Legal, HR, Finance and Accountancy sectors across the UK. Please note, the years’ experience and / or salary are listed in our advertisements as a guide. We are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Our privacy policy can be found on the bottom of our website.

Due to the high volume of applications, if you have not heard from us within ten days of applying, unfortunately you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.