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Rape Survivors Independent Legal Advice Lawyers

Solicitors or Barristers – Civil or Criminal Law

Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ)

Salary: £45,000 – £61,573 depending on PQE

Location: Hybrid – home and CWJ’s Bethnal Green office, London. Applications welcomed from candidates across England and Wales, with flexible working arrangements open to discussion.

Contract: Permanent | Full-time. Part time, consultants and secondments also considered.

Closing date: 9am, 26 October 2026

Interviews: Week commencing 2 November 2026

Women only – an occupational requirement under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010

Do you want to help transform access to justice for survivors of sexual violence?

Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) is recruiting civil and criminal lawyers (solicitors or in-house barristers) with feminist values to join its new Independent Legal Advice service.

This is a great opportunity to be part of a ground-breaking national programme designed to improve survivors’ understanding of, and ability to exercise, their rights within the criminal justice system.

Working within CWJ, the successful applicants will provide high-quality, independent legal advice to survivors of sexual violence. You will combine legal expertise with a trauma-informed, survivor-centred approach, helping survivors navigate the criminal justice process.

We are looking for collaborative, thoughtful and resilient people who share our commitment to equality and to securing meaningful change for women and girls.

About the Role

As an Independent Legal Advice lawyer, you will provide timely, accurate and trauma-informed legal advice, advocacy and casework support to survivors of sexual violence.

You will help survivors understand and assert their rights within the criminal justice system, providing advice and representation on matters including personal and digital material requests, Victims’ Right to Review, complaints, special measures and criminal injuries compensation.

You will also work closely with CWJ colleagues and national delivery partners, including Rape Crisis England & Wales and Victim Support, helping to establish effective referral pathways and deliver a high-quality national service.

About You

You will be a qualified solicitor or barrister entitled to practise in England and Wales, with a current practising certificate or equivalent professional authorisation.

CWJ is particularly interested in hearing from lawyers with experience of providing legal advice, advocacy or representation within the criminal justice system. This could have been gained through civil or criminal law roles, including criminal defence, prosecution, civil claims against the police or public law.

• An understanding of the impact of sexual violence and other forms of male violence against women and girls

• The ability to explain complex legal issues clearly and sensitively

• A trauma-informed, survivor-centred and empowering approach

• Strong organisation and self-management skills

• The ability to work independently and collaboratively

• A clear commitment to CWJ’s aims, feminist values and approach

What’s on Offer

Alongside a salary of £45,000 – £61,573 depending on PQE, CWJ offers 25 days’ annual leave pro rata, increasing year on year, plus bank holidays and three additional days over the Christmas period, together with a 5% employer pension contribution.

This is a hybrid role, and CWJ welcomes conversations with lawyers based outside London about office attendance and flexible working arrangements.

Interested?

Click here to download a recruitment pack.

Please submit your CV and a covering letter of no more than 600 words, explaining your interest in the role and how your skills, experience and values meet the essential criteria.

CWJ is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from women of all backgrounds.

We will be hosting a webinar to discuss the new legal scheme, the legal roles and answer any questions on Wednesday 21st October at 11am.

Please join the zoom meeting here:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86744481744