Job Overview
Job Title: Duty Criminal Solicitor
Location: Shrewsbury
Job Type: Full-time / Part-time / Permanent
Salary: Dependent on experience, qualifications and duty solicitor status
Department: Criminal Law
Reference ID: Duty Criminal Solicitor – Shrewsbury
Expected Start Date: 1 August 2026
Application Deadline: 20 July 2026
Richard George & Jenkins is seeking an experienced, organised and committed Duty Criminal Solicitor to join its criminal law department in Shrewsbury.
The successful candidate will be a qualified solicitor with criminal defence experience and will either hold current Duty Solicitor status or be eligible to obtain or maintain such status. The role will involve representing clients at the police station, Magistrates’ Court and, where appropriate, assisting with Crown Court case preparation.
The position is suited to a criminal defence solicitor who is confident managing a varied caseload, undertaking advocacy, advising clients in custody and at court, and working within a busy legal aid practice.
Key Responsibilities
The role will include, but is not limited to:
- Advising and representing clients at police stations, including voluntary interviews and clients detained in custody.
- Undertaking Magistrates’ Court advocacy, including first appearances, bail applications, remand hearings, case management hearings, guilty pleas, trials and sentencing hearings.
- Participating in the firm’s police station and court duty rota, including out-of-hours work where required.
- Managing a caseload of criminal defence matters from initial instruction through to conclusion.
- Advising clients clearly and appropriately on criminal allegations, evidence, procedure, plea, bail, sentencing options and trial preparation.
- Preparing cases for Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court proceedings.
- Drafting and preparing legal documents, including attendance notes, advices, applications, statements, instructions to counsel and hearing notes.
- Taking instructions from clients, including vulnerable clients and clients in custody.
- Reviewing prosecution evidence, disclosure, unused material and digital evidence.
- Preparing applications for legal aid and ensuring compliance with Legal Aid Agency requirements.
- Ensuring all legal aid, file management, billing and time recording requirements are completed accurately and promptly.
- Liaising with courts, police stations, the Crown Prosecution Service, counsel, experts, interpreters, probation, prisons and other relevant agencies.
- Preparing briefs and instructions to counsel where required.
- Supervising and supporting paralegals, secretaries, trainee solicitors, accredited representatives or junior fee earners where appropriate.
- Ensuring compliance with professional obligations, including confidentiality, data protection, client care, SRA Standards and Regulations, and firm policies.
- Using criminal justice systems and platforms including CJSM, CCDCS, Common Platform and relevant case management systems.
- Attending client conferences, prison visits and conferences with counsel where required.
- Dealing with urgent matters, including custody cases, overnight remands, time-sensitive court deadlines and bail applications.
- Maintaining accurate file notes, records, correspondence and case management entries.
- Supporting the wider criminal department and contributing to the effective running of the practice.
Essential Requirements
The successful candidate must have:
- Admission as a solicitor in England and Wales.
- Current Duty Solicitor status, or eligibility and willingness to obtain or maintain Duty Solicitor status.
- Experience in criminal defence work.
- Experience advising clients at the police station.
- Experience conducting Magistrates’ Court advocacy.
- A sound working knowledge of criminal procedure, police station procedure, legal aid and Magistrates’ Court practice.
- The ability to manage a criminal caseload with appropriate supervision where required.
- Strong client care skills, including the ability to deal sensitively and professionally with vulnerable clients and clients in stressful circumstances.
- Excellent advocacy, communication and drafting skills.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to meet urgent deadlines.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office, case management systems and criminal justice platforms.
- A clear understanding of confidentiality, data protection and professional conduct obligations.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Flexibility to assist with police station and duty solicitor rota requirements, including out-of-hours work where necessary.
Desirable Requirements
The following would be advantageous:
- Current Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme membership.
- Existing police station accreditation.
- Experience undertaking regular duty solicitor work.
- Experience with criminal legal aid billing and Legal Aid Agency procedures.
- Experience using CJSM, CCDCS, Common Platform, LEAP or similar case management software.
- Experience preparing Crown Court cases and working with counsel.
- Experience dealing with serious, complex or sensitive criminal matters.
- Experience supervising paralegals, accredited representatives or junior fee earners.
- Local knowledge of Shropshire, West Mercia Police, local courts and regional criminal justice agencies.
Training and Career Development
Richard George & Jenkins is committed to supporting appropriate professional development within the criminal department.
Training and development opportunities may include:
- Support with maintaining Duty Solicitor status.
- Training on internal systems, criminal justice platforms and legal aid procedures.
- Opportunities to develop advocacy and case preparation experience.
- Supervised exposure to a broad range of criminal defence matters.
- Support with relevant continuing professional development.
- Opportunities to assist with departmental growth and development.
Any training, accreditation support or progression opportunity will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will depend on qualifications, performance, aptitude, business needs and regulatory eligibility.
Personal Qualities
The ideal candidate will be:
- Professional, reliable and discreet.
- Calm and confident under pressure.
- Client-focused and approachable.
- Resilient and able to deal with urgent and sensitive matters.
- Highly organised and methodical.
- Proactive and able to use initiative.
- A clear and persuasive advocate.
- Able to prioritise effectively.
- Flexible in response to police station, court and departmental requirements.
- Committed to criminal defence work and access to justice.
What We Offer
- A supportive working environment within an established legal practice.
- The opportunity to work within a busy and experienced criminal law department.
- A varied caseload of criminal defence matters.
- Duty solicitor and police station work, subject to rota arrangements.
- Training in firm systems and procedures where required.
- Potential career development opportunities for suitable candidates.
- Salary dependent on experience, qualifications and duty solicitor status.
- Potential flexibility depending on the needs of the department.
- 3x death in service benefit.
- Health cash plan.
Schedule
- Monday to Friday.
- In-person work based in Shrewsbury.
- Full-time or part-time arrangements may be considered.
- Participation in police station and duty solicitor rota arrangements will be required.
- Out-of-hours availability may be required, including weekends and bank holidays in accordance with rota and departmental needs.
Equal Opportunities
Richard George & Jenkins is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all employees.
Application Details
Job Title: Duty Criminal Solicitor
Location: Shrewsbury
Salary: Dependent on experience, qualifications and duty solicitor status
Reference ID: Duty Criminal Solicitor – Shrewsbury
Expected Start Date: 1 August 2026, subject to any notice period required.
Application Deadline: 14 July 2026
Pay: £30,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
