Eventus Legal are seeking an experienced Children's Panel Solicitor for a full-time, permanent job with an established, Lexcel-accredited law firm in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. Offering a competitive salary dependent on experience, hybrid working that accommodates court commitments, and an attractive package including 27 days' annual leave, Christmas Eve off and an office closure between Christmas and New Year, this is an opportunity to join a collaborative public family law team and develop your career. Part-time working may also be considered for the right person.

Role Responsibilities

As a Children's Panel Solicitor, you will undertake meaningful public children law work, providing sensitive and practical advice to clients while contributing to a busy, experienced team. Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing a varied caseload of public children law and care proceedings matters, including child protection, emergency applications, special guardianship, placement and adoption proceedings.
• Advising and representing children, parents and other family members in complex and sensitive proceedings, including working with children's guardians where appropriate.
• Preparing cases for court hearings, advocates' meetings, professionals' meetings and conferences with counsel, while meeting court directions and urgent deadlines.
• Maintaining effective relationships with guardians, counsel, experts, local authorities and other professionals involved in children's cases.
• Supporting and supervising junior colleagues, including trainees, paralegals and legal assistants, where required.
• Contributing to the development of the department through networking, professional relationships and appropriate business development activity.

Person Specification

This Children's Panel Solicitor job will suit a confident and compassionate practitioner with the experience to manage demanding care proceedings and deliver consistently strong client service. You should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Qualified Solicitor with approximately 5 years' post-qualification experience in public children law and care proceedings.
• Established membership of the Law Society's Children Law Accreditation Scheme (Children Panel), which is essential.
• Experience managing a varied caseload of children law matters, with sound knowledge of court procedures and legal aid requirements.
• Excellent client care, advocacy, communication and case management skills, with empathy and sound professional judgement.

Benefits and Rewards

The firm places genuine emphasis on recognising its people and supporting their development, alongside offering a strong range of employee rewards. The successful Children's Panel Solicitor will also benefit from:

• Hybrid working, with flexibility around office attendance subject to the requirements of the caseload and court appointments.
• 27 days' annual leave, Christmas Eve off and an office closure between Christmas and New Year.
• A workplace pension and death-in-service insurance.
• Ongoing professional development through in-house and external training, together with regular appraisals and feedback.
• Regular social events, an employee high-street discounts app and discounted legal services for employees.
• Career progression opportunities for those looking to take on greater responsibility over time.

About the Law Firm

Our client is a long-standing, Lexcel-accredited law firm with a broad range of services for individuals and businesses and a dedicated public family law team. The firm combines a client-focused approach with a supportive, collaborative working culture, where colleagues share expertise and professional development is actively encouraged. Its commitment to quality practice management, accessible colleagues and continued growth makes this an appealing environment for an experienced children law specialist.

Next Steps

Apply now to be considered for this career-enhancing job opportunity. Alternatively, for a confidential discussion about this Children's Panel Solicitor job in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, please send your CV to Amy Watson at the Eventus Recruitment Group via email at amy.watson@eventuslegal.com or phone 01325 624084 for a confidential discussion. Due to the high volume of applications, if you have not heard from us within ten days, unfortunately you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

If this job isn't quite 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, Finance and Financial Planning 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 opportunities employer we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Our privacy policy can be found on the bottom of our website.