Overview
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Fee Earner to join our office-based team on a commission-based basis.
The successful candidate will manage their own caseload across a range of legal areas, including Family, Crime, Community Care, Housing and Prison Law. This is a hands-on role suited to someone who is confident dealing directly with clients, managing cases independently and progressing matters efficiently from instruction through to conclusion.
The role offers the opportunity to develop and manage your own client base while benefiting from the support and infrastructure of an established legal practice. Remuneration will be commission-based, with earnings linked to the work generated and fees recovered.
The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate strong legal knowledge, excellent client-care skills and a commercial approach to case management, whilst maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct and regulatory compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Manage and progress an individual caseload across Family, Crime, Community Care, Housing and Prison Law.
Take responsibility for matters from initial instruction through to conclusion, ensuring cases are progressed proactively and efficiently.
Conduct client conferences, take detailed instructions and provide clear, accurate and practical legal advice.
Draft legal documents, pleadings, applications, witness statements, representations, correspondence and other case documentation.
Undertake legal research where required and apply relevant legislation, procedural rules and case law to individual matters.
Conduct negotiations with opposing parties, solicitors, barristers, local authorities, housing providers, prisons, probation services, the police and other relevant agencies.
Prepare cases for hearings and assist with advocacy and court-related work where appropriate and within the individual's level of authorisation and competence.
Liaise effectively with counsel, experts, external agencies and other professionals involved in client matters.
Maintain accurate and comprehensive electronic case files and ensure all case records are kept up to date.
Monitor limitation dates, court directions, hearing dates, deadlines and other procedural requirements.
Ensure matters are progressed in accordance with applicable procedural rules, professional obligations and the firm's internal policies.
Identify opportunities for appropriate further work and develop professional relationships that generate new instructions.
Maintain a high level of client care, keeping clients informed of developments and managing expectations appropriately.
Deal professionally with challenging, vulnerable and high-pressure clients and situations.
Work independently while maintaining effective communication with the wider office team.
Ensure all work undertaken is properly recorded for billing, financial and compliance purposes.
Take responsibility for the commercial performance of your caseload and maximise fee recovery while maintaining professional standards.
Areas of Practice
The role will involve work across some or all of the following areas:
Family Law
Private and public family matters
Non-molestation and occupation orders
Domestic abuse proceedings
Children proceedings
Injunctions and related applications
Other associated Family Court work
Criminal Law
Criminal defence matters
Magistrates' Court and Crown Court work
Police station matters where appropriately authorised
Bail applications
Case preparation and client representation
Community Care
Community care assessments
Adult social care matters
Challenges to decisions by local authorities
Care and support issues
Representation and advice concerning vulnerable adults
Housing Law
Possession proceedings
Homelessness and housing applications
Disrepair
Tenancy disputes
Injunctions and anti-social behaviour matters
Local authority and housing association matters
Prison Law
Prisoner rights and related legal issues
Categorisation and allocation matters
Adjudications and disciplinary issues
Parole-related matters
Sentence and progression issues
Challenges concerning prison decisions and conditions
Experience and Skills
The ideal candidate will have:
Previous experience working as a Fee Earner, Caseworker or in a comparable legal role.
Experience managing a caseload with a significant degree of independence.
Practical experience in one or more of Family, Crime, Community Care, Housing or Prison Law.
Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, procedural rules and legal practice.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong drafting and analytical abilities.
The ability to take detailed instructions and identify the key legal and evidential issues within a case.
Excellent negotiation and problem-solving skills.
The ability to manage competing deadlines and a busy caseload effectively.
Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
The ability to work independently and take ownership of matters.
Confidence dealing with courts, solicitors, counsel, local authorities, prisons and other professional bodies.
A professional and empathetic approach to client care.
The ability to work effectively with vulnerable clients and clients facing difficult personal circumstances.
A commercially focused approach to case management and fee recovery.
An understanding of the importance of professional conduct, confidentiality, data protection and regulatory compliance.
Commission-Based Structure
This is an office-based commission role. The successful candidate will be responsible for generating and/or managing work within their area of practice and will receive remuneration by way of an agreed commission structure.
The role is particularly suited to an experienced Fee Earner who:
has an existing network or ability to generate instructions;
is confident in managing their own caseload;
wants greater control over their earning potential;
is commercially driven;
can convert enquiries into appropriate instructions;
understands the importance of progressing matters efficiently and recovering fees; and
wants to work within a professional office environment while retaining a high degree of autonomy.
Commission arrangements will be discussed with shortlisted candidates and confirmed before engagement.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, commercially aware and genuinely committed to client service.
You should be comfortable taking ownership of your matters, making decisions, meeting deadlines and dealing with demanding situations. You will need to balance strong advocacy for your clients with sound professional judgement and strict compliance with the relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
If you are an experienced Fee Earner looking for an opportunity where your legal expertise, client relationships and ability to generate and progress work directly influence your earning potential, we would be interested in hearing from you.
Job Type: Office-based / Commission
Practice Areas: Family | Crime | Community Care | Housing | Prison Law
Working Environment: Office-based
Remuneration: Commission-based – details to be agreed with successful candidate
Work Location: In person
