Job Description

Watkins Solicitors is an award winning and busy solicitors firm specialising in Family Law, Education Law, Wills and Probate Law, Conveyancing, and Judicial Review. Currently we have four offices situated in North Bristol, South Bristol, Bath and Hereford. We also see clients by appointment in Evesham. The firm has a Legal Aid franchise and carries out work under Legal Aid contracts for family law, Education Law and Public Law (including, judicial review). The firm also acts for clients on a privately paying basis.

Watkins Solicitors has an outstanding reputation as a good employer. We offer excellent employee benefits, a great working culture and exciting career opportunities. We are a friendly, sociable, and respected company with a firm belief in supporting our staff. We support remote, agile, and flexible working opportunities.

In line with the firm's culture, it is our aim to nurture and grow talent in-house and the successful candidate will be supported in their development and progression.

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced solicitor to head our Public Law department, playing a key role in its growth and success.

You will be an ambitious solicitor with experience in Judicial Review. You will be leading a small, established, and busy department that is looking to expand. We will consider applicants who wish to work remotely.

Main responsibilities

Growing the department and gaining new business

Meeting agreed targets

Responsible for all aspects of Public Law work including providing technical expertise and guidance to other team members

Ability to manage and supervise, Trainee Solicitors and Paralegals to manage appropriate caseload types and complexities

Assisting with delivery of appropriate training and development in the department and in the firm

Variety of duties including dealing with a range of Public Law work including judicial review, statutory appeals, challenges in the Upper Tribunal

Liaising with clients and counsel

Preparing and managing funding applications to the Legal Aid Agency and amendments to certificates

Preparing draft documents including witness statements and processing evidence

Marshalling/organising documents appropriately for subsequent use in litigation

Preparation of bundles for issuing proceedings, for interim and final hearings (including e-bundles and hard copy bundles)

Conducting judicial review pre-action protocol

Preparing, issuing and serving judicial review claims, and conducting claims to conclusion

Attending conferences and court (whether virtual or in person), with court hearings being held at any of the Administrative Court regional centres

Essential criteria

A qualified solicitor with a minimum of 3 years PQE or equivalent

Experience in conducting Judicial Review claims

Experience using IT software

Excellent communication skills

Strong written skills

Strong organisational skills

Committed team player

Commitment to pursuing fundamental human rights

Desirable criteria

Experience supervising and guiding junior members of the department

Experience of case management software

Experience of other public law challenges such as statutory appeals and appeals in the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Chamber)

Our offer

In return you can expect a rewarding career, as we believe in looking after our employees which is why we offer a great flexible work policy to help you balance your personal and professional lives. We also offer the Bike2Work Scheme. Continual training is very much supported by the firm and the firm has developed an extensive in-house training scheme.

The initial training will be provided in our North Street office in Bristol and remotely. However, following a probationary period there may be the opportunity to work flexibly from home.

The salary will be 50,000 - 60,000 per annum, dependant on skills and experience.

To apply please send a CV and a covering letter. The closing date for this vacancy is

Wednesday 11th June 2025

. Interviews will be conducted shortly after and may occur sooner if sufficient and suitable candidates are received.

This firm welcomes applications from all sections of the community irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, providing equipment or changes to the workplace. All candidates invited to interview have the opportunity to request adjustments to the recruitment process when scheduling your interview. Some options include communication support or breaks.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 50,000.00-60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Cycle to work scheme Work from home
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Experience:

PQE or equivalent: 3 years (required) Conducting Judicial Review claims : 1 year (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bristol BS3 1JF

Application deadline: 11/06/2025