JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title: Solicitor
Reports to:FLAC Director General
Overview of organisation
FLAC is a human rights organisation which exists to promote equal access to justice for all.
Overview of Role
The primary purpose of this role is to undertake casework in areas of law as set out in FLAC’s Strategic Plan and to undertake duties in relation to legal advice, legal representation and law reform.
This is a part-time position for one year approximately 27.5 hours per week(3.5 days) for one year.
Specific Duties
The Solicitor will be employed to provide legal advice and representation in the areas of Civil Legal Aid, Social Welfare Law, Consumer Credit and Debt Law and Access to Justice. The solicitor will report to the Director General and will work under the supervision of the Director General.
Advice
- Provide advice and representation on legal issues in the areas ofCivil Legal Aid, Social Welfare Law, Consumer Credit and Debt Law and Access to Justice.
- Advocate on behalf of clients with all third parties on various legal issues.
- Provide advice and representation in other relevant areas of law such as public interest law, administrative law and human rights law.
Representation
- To represent FLAC and its clients before the various bodies including Tribunals and at all Court levels as required.
- To operate to FLAC’s policies on case file management including archiving and management of closed files.
Law Reform
- To develop legal thinking on issues of strategic importance in relation to access to justiceandFLAC’s relevant areas of law, through submissions on various Bills, and submissions to relevant State bodies.
- To collaborate with other Law Centres and NGOs on relevant legal /rights issues.
General
- Implementing the objectives in relation to casework under Legal Information and Advice, Access to Justice, Social Welfare Law, Consumer Credit and Debt in FLAC’s strategic plan 2015-2017.
- Preparing legal information materials for use by other FLAC personnel, FLAC volunteers and the general public.
- Assisting with FLAC’s Information and Referral Line from time to time.
- Assisting at FLAC Centres occasionally.
- Complying with FLAC’s Health and Safety Policies and Procedures.
- Any other duties as may be required from time to time in connection with this position.
Requirements for this position
Qualifications
Relevant degree
Solicitor qualified to practice in Ireland
Experience
Experience in the areas of Social Welfare Law and/or Debt and Consumer Credit Law and/or Public Interest Law, Human Rights Law and Administrative Law
Litigation experience at Superior Court level and before Tribunals
Other
A commitment to human rights and social justice issues
Requirement to comply with Law Society regulations and rules regarding professional conduct
Strong organisational, analytical, administrative and IT skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to identify strategic legal issues
To apply for this position please send CV and covering letter by email to recruitment @flac.ie or by post to FLAC, 13 Lower Dorset Street, Dublin 1byFriday April 10th at 5pm. Telephone (01) 8873600. Interviews will take place on Friday 17th April 2015.