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.