Family Solicitor and Partnerships Lead

RCJ Advice is an exceptional Citizens Advice and Law Centre delivering national legal advice services, both frontline and second tier, to people who are unable to afford legal representation and advice. We are based within the Royal Courts of Justice, the Central London Family Court and community sites across London, where we deliver local Citizens Advice services.

This post is a new role within RCJ Advice and forms part of the Improving Access to Justice for Domestic Abuse Survivors project. The three-year project aims to improve access to legal advice and support for domestic abuse survivors living in areas where legal aid services are limited.

The project will strengthen referral pathways, increase awareness of legal remedies and build sustainable links between domestic abuse organisations, frontline professionals and legal providers to ensure survivors can access appropriate legal support.

During the first year, the postholder will likely focus on developing the project in Suffolk. This will include mapping existing services, building relationships with domestic abuse organisations and frontline professionals, developing referral pathways and strengthening links with local legal providers.

In years two and three, the postholder will move the focus of the project to new legal aid deserts in England (we have a similar role in Wales) identified during the course of the project, developing new local networks, referral pathways and partnerships to improve access to legal advice and support for domestic abuse survivors in those areas.

Alongside this project development work, the postholder will provide specialist family law advice and support to domestic abuse survivors, including advice on protective remedies such as Non-Molestation Orders, Occupation Orders and other family law matters including Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs). This will include providing advice through appointments, telephone and email advice, and supporting survivors with CourtNav applications.

The successful candidate will be a qualified solicitor with experience of family law and domestic abuse work. They will have strong legal skills, experience of developing partnerships or services, and the ability to build trusted relationships with survivors, professionals and community organisations.

The postholder will work closely with colleagues across RCJ Advice, including the FLOWS team and Family team, sharing learning and contributing to wider organisational work supporting survivors of domestic abuse.

The role will require flexibility to travel across England, including occasional overnight stays, to support delivery of the service, partnership development and engagement activities.

This post is subject to a DBS check.