Childcare Advocate Lawyer

Note: the pay rate is provisional only and will be amended with the confirmed rate once received.

Interim Childcare Advocate Lawyer

Reference no: Surrey 108682

Pay Rate: up to £37.00 per hour PAYE max

Hours: 37 Monday - Friday, normal working hours

Duration: This opening assignment is for 9 months

City: Reigate

Must be able to travel within the County.

As a Childcare Advocate Lawyer, you will provide legal advice and representation to the County Council, ensuring high-quality legal services. You will advocate in complex childcare litigation cases at all levels, including multi-day hearings, to protect the interests of the County Council and support its values.

1. Act as an advocate for the County Council in childcare and related court proceedings, including complex cases and High Court hearings.
2. Represent cases prepared by team lawyers, managing all aspects of the hearing and reporting outcomes to the client and team lawyer.
3. Draft court documents such as case summaries, skeleton arguments, and legal position statements.
4. Provide expert legal advice on evidence quality, case strength, and other legal issues relevant to proceedings.
5. Deliver training to Legal Services staff and clients to ensure legal compliance and up-to-date practices.
6. Contribute to achieving service targets by participating in projects and cross-team work.
7. Adhere to practice management standards (Lexcel) and stay updated on legal changes to provide effective legal advice.

1. Solicitor or Barrister, fully qualified to practise in England and Wales and who currently has or who is immediately able to obtain a practising certificate.
2. Excellent knowledge of the rules of evidence and practice within the family courts.
3. A sound understanding of the political and policy context within which care proceedings and children’s services operate both nationally and locally.
4. Expertise in the law and practice relating to public child care law.
5. Recent significant experience of legal practice in public child care law including significant advocacy experience in this area including contested final hearings.
6. Excellent advocacy and research skills.
7. Excellent negotiation skills.
8. Proficient in using IT including Word, Outlook (or equivalent email product) and electronic document management and case management system.