Job Description Family Children Law Solicitor – Central London Salary: £55,000–£70,000 Specialist Children Panel Work Clear Progression Pathway Our client, a highly respected specialist law firm with a long-established Family Department, is looking to appoint a Family Children Law Solicitor to join their Central London team. This is an excellent opportunity for a children law specialist to work on complex, high-profile public law children cases, develop their advocacy, and progress within a supportive, expert-led department. About the Role You will join a well-regarded Family Department advising on the full spectrum of family law, with a particular focus on public and private children law, including care proceedings, adoption, abduction, family finance, and international matters. Working closely with the Head of Department and senior colleagues, you will: Manage a varied caseload of public and private law children matters Act for parents, carers and children (where applicable) in care proceedings Handle complex and sensitive cases, often involving vulnerable clients Conduct your own advocacy where appropriate Contribute to the department’s business development and profile This is a genuinely career-building role for a solicitor who wants to deepen their expertise in children law and become a recognised specialist in the field. Key Responsibilities Public Law Children & Care Proceedings Running a busy caseload of care and supervision proceedings Representing parents, carers and children in public law matters Preparing detailed case strategies, statements and evidence Liaising with counsel, experts, guardians and external agencies Private Children & Modern Family Law Advising on private children disputes, including contact and residence Involvement in modern family law work (where applicable) Exposure to child abduction and cross-border issues (with support and training) Advocacy & Case Management Conducting advocacy at hearings where appropriate Ensuring effective case progression and compliance with court timetables Maintaining high standards of file management and record-keeping Business Development & Team Contribution Building and maintaining referral relationships in the local area Supporting the ongoing development of the Family Department Contributing to team meetings, supervision and knowledge sharing Candidate Requirements Essential: Solicitor with a minimum of 3 years’ PQE in family/children law Significant experience in public law children matters and care proceedings Comprehensive knowledge of Legal Aid regulations and procedures Strong advocacy skills, confident in preparing and conducting hearings where appropriate Proven ability to manage a varied and demanding caseload independently Excellent communication and client care skills, with a sensitive and empathetic approach Collaborative team player, able to work effectively with colleagues at all levels Commitment to high professional standards and continuous development Highly Desirable: Law Society Children Panel membership, or currently working towards accreditation Experience representing children as well as parents/carers Experience or demonstrable interest in child abduction and international children law Experience in cross-border child abduction matters and/or involvement with the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU) Technical Skills & Qualifications Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) Strong understanding of: Public law children proceedings Private children disputes Legal Aid funding and regulations Confident using case management systems and standard legal IT tools Ability to draft clear, robust legal documents, statements and correspondence Location & Working Arrangements Location: Central London office (excellent transport links) Working pattern: Full-time, with hybrid working available after probation Office-based work for court attendance, client meetings and team collaboration, with flexibility to work from home part of the week Salary, Benefits & Progression Salary: £55,000–£70,000 (depending on experience and accreditation) Benefits include: Hybrid working and flexible working arrangements Generous annual leave plus bank holidays Pension scheme Support for Law Society Children Panel accreditation (if applicable) Ongoing CPD, training and supervision from leading practitioners Well-structured career progression, with opportunities to: Take on increasingly complex cases Develop a specialist profile in children law Progress towards senior/lead roles within the Family Department Our client offers a supportive, values-driven environment where children law specialists can build a long-term career and make a genuine impact for vulnerable clients. How to Apply If you are an experienced Family Children Law Solicitor looking to take the next step in your career with a respected Central London firm, we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV or a confidential enquiry to: Mara Watson – Legal Recruitment Consultant Email: m.watson@h-fts.com All applications will be handled with the strictest confidence. Your details will not be shared with our client or any third party without your prior consent.