Solicitor (Crime & Extradition)

at  Oracle Solicitors

Reports to: The Solicitor will report to the Head of Department and/or the CEO.
Department: Crime. You will be expected to undertake a wide variety of cases involving all the above and any other areas which you accept and undertake – including immigration law.
Job Overview: The Solicitor will be responsible for dealing with delegated work within their own areas of competence and achieving performance targets as set by the practice. The Solicitor will provide expert legal support and advice to clients. Also, he/she will be responsible for offering support to the Head of Department and/or the CEO. He/she will be responsible for dealing their own caseload and dealing with clients. Furthermore, he/she will be expected to train and mentor more junior staff members and positively promote quality of service to clients, raising the quality level and creating new business for the Practice whenever possible.
Purpose/Main Objectives: To support all Practice decisions, carrying out any actions required. To provide any support required by Head of Departments. To act on behalf of Head of Departments as required. To be alert when acting for clients of other legal services they may require and to refer clients to other departments within the firm when it is appropriate.

• Deal with delegated cases as required, reporting progress to the Head of Department and/or the CEO; act on behalf of clients in disputes and represent them in court
• Deal with all aspects of all the legal work within your competence, review all files;
• Prepare for trials, hearings, and closings; attend court, conduct hearings i.e., Trials, Bail Applications (this list is not exhaustive)
• Liaise with clients and other professionals such as barristers in a prompt and professional manner; coordinate the work of all parties involved; instruct barristers or specialist advocates to appear in court for the client in complex dispute.
• Advise and negotiate with clients and other professionals to secure agreed objectives.
• Research and analyse documents and case law to ensure the accuracy of advice and procedure.
• Always act in a trustworthy and confidential manner; have integrity and sensitivity.
• Ensure quality of service levels are to standard.
• Follow internal methods, policies, and procedures as set by the Office Manual
• Remain informed of changes in any area of specialisation, such that service quality is always maintained. Carry out file reviews as appropriate.
• Attending upon clients at offices / courts / prison. Advising and assisting clients.
• Preparation for cases. Advising and assisting at police stations, doing Defence Case Statements, Hearsay Applications (this list is not exhaustive).
• Dealing with correspondence, adhere to accurate and comprehensive file management and maintenance practices of caseload according to company policy and procedures.
• Maintenance of diaries & time recording.
• Not expected for this senior-level position: occasionally attending the Police Station during office hours and out of office hours on the internal rota (you will be given a day and some weekends to attend the police station after 5.30pm to 9am) .
• Work as part of a team and give concise and reasonable instructions.
• Each person employed in this category must recognise that may be contacted by the Law Society of Northern Ireland and that they are expected to co-operate fully with that officer.
• Conduct legal research and gathering of relevant information on a case. This includes researching the facts of the case as well as identifying the appropriate laws, judicial decisions, and legal articles relevant to the case.
• Draft legal documents. This can include drafting correspondence and pleadings, such as complaints, subpoenas, interrogatories, deposition notices, pre-trial orders, and legal briefs with various parties.
• Support the training of paralegals on the team in Belfast.
• Taking statements from witnesses and other parties; interviewing clients and passing on relevant information
• Carry out other types of administrative duties such as billing, invoicing, time recording, compile litigation bundles, dealing with correspondence, collect and organise evidence; calculate claims for damages, compensation, maintenance, etc.
• Network with clients and build valuable relationships in a way that enhances the company’s reputation and cultivate new business opportunities
• Assist during trial by taking notes, preparing exhibits, preparing files, and reading court transcripts
• Use the company’s case management system.
• Any other hoc duties as directed by the Head of Department or Directors