New Job Opening: Family Law Solicitor in Ashton-under-Lyne, UK

Job Description

Family Law Solicitor

Location: Ashton-under-Lyne

Career Level: Solicitor/FCILEX 1-5 PQE

Salary: £35,000 - £55,000 + Bonus

Join a Dedicated Family Law Team

Are you an experienced family law solicitor or FCILEX looking for an exciting opportunity to join a well-established team? Our client, a highly regarded law firm with offices in Liverpool and Manchester, is seeking a Family Law Solicitor or FCILEX at 1-5 PQE level to join their expanding Family Law Team.

This is an excellent opportunity to work on a diverse caseload of private family law matters, including divorce, financial remedy disputes, and cohabitation matters. You'll be joining a friendly, welcoming, and hard-working team that values collaboration and offers excellent opportunities for career progression.

The Role

As a Family Law Solicitor, you will manage your own caseload of private family law matters, handling divorce, financial remedy disputes, civil partnership disputes, and advising on the rights of unmarried and cohabitating couples. This role focuses exclusively on private family law, with no child law or childcare work involved, as that is undertaken by a different team.

The role offers genuine progression opportunities for the right candidate and the chance to work on varied and rewarding family law matters whilst developing your advocacy skills and building strong client relationships.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Conducting your own caseload in private family law matters, subject to appropriate supervision


• Handling divorce proceedings, financial remedy disputes, and civil partnership matters


• Advising unmarried and cohabitating couples on their legal rights and remedies


• Undertaking advocacy in the Family Court


• Assisting with new enquiries received by the department


• Assisting with the department's legal surgery sessions (free client drop-in sessions)


• Undertaking fee-earning work on client matters


• Undertaking administrative tasks on client matters


• Dealing with applications for funding from the Legal Aid scheme


• Preparing court bundles, witness statements, financial statements (Form E), and legal submissions


• Attending court hearings, First Appointments, Financial Dispute Resolution hearings, and final hearings


• Liaising with clients, barristers, financial experts, and other professionals


• Providing clear, practical, and compassionate advice to clients


• Assisting with marketing efforts for the department, including networking with local external agencies that refer work to the department


• Assisting with external advice sessions that the team provides to local organisations


• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the family law team


• Meeting financial targets and managing matters efficiently

About You

Essential Requirements:

• 1-5 years' PQE experience in family law


• Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales or FCILEX


• Proven experience running your own caseload in private family law matters


• Experience in divorce, financial remedy disputes, and civil partnership matters


• Advocacy experience in the Family Court


• Strong technical knowledge of family law, the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, and financial remedy proceedings


• Excellent client care skills with a compassionate and sensitive approach


• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously


• Strong communication, drafting, and negotiation skills


• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight court deadlines


• Willingness to assist with legal surgery sessions and new enquiries rota


• Willingness to assist with external advice sessions provided to local organisations


• Commitment to delivering high-quality legal services in this specialist area

Highly Desirable:

• Experience advising unmarried and cohabitating couples on their legal rights


• Knowledge of Legal Aid funding and publicly funded family law work


• Experience with complex financial remedy cases


• Experience with community engagement and legal advice sessions


• Experience working in a collaborative team environment

Key Attributes:

• Experienced and dedicated with a passion for family law


• Compassionate and sensitive approach to clients


• Strong work ethic with commitment to delivering high-quality work


• Resilient and able to handle emotionally challenging cases


• Team player who thrives in a collaborative environment


• Excellent time management and organisational skills


• Committed to professional development and staying current with legal developments


• Enthusiastic about community engagement and providing access to justice

What's On Offer

Our client is committed to rewarding talent and hard work with a competitive remuneration package and excellent opportunities for career progression.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary: £35,000 - £55,000 (market rate, dependent on experience)


• Annual discretionary bonus scheme


• 25 days holiday per annum (plus bank holidays)


• Loyalty holiday scheme


• Ability to purchase additional holidays


• Contributory (auto-enrolment) pension scheme


• Non-contributory death in service scheme


• Paycare scheme


• Good prospects of career progression for the right candidate


• Friendly, welcoming, and hard-working team environment


• Supportive team culture with opportunities for professional development


• Specialist private family law practice with no child law or childcare work


• Opportunity to participate in legal surgery sessions and community advice work


• Modern, well-equipped offices Ashton-under-Lyne


• Flexible working arrangements available

About Our Client

Our client is a well-established law firm with offices in Liverpool and Manchester, serving clients across the North West and beyond. The firm has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality legal services across a broad range of practice areas, including family law, childcare law, employment, property, litigation, and corporate.

The Family Law Team specialises in private family law matters, handling divorce, financial remedy disputes, civil partnership matters, and advising unmarried and cohabitating couples. The team is committed to providing accessible legal services and regularly participates in legal surgery sessions and external advice sessions with local organisations.

The team is friendly, welcoming, and hard-working, with a collaborative culture that values teamwork, professionalism, and compassionate client service. The firm offers excellent opportunities for career progression and professional development for dedicated family law practitioners.

Location

This role is based at our client's Ashton-under-Lyne office; with excellent transport links and access to local amenities. The offices offer modern, professional working environments with flexible working arrangements available.

How to Apply

If you're an experienced family law solicitor or FCILEX with advocacy experience and a passion for helping clients through difficult times, we'd love to hear from you. Click apply now or contact [email protected] or 0333 996 2882