Lawyer/Head of Department – Public Law/Inquests

Lawyer/Head of Department – Public Law/Inquests

CJCH Solicitors is an award-winning full-service law firm with offices in Cardiff, Barry, Bridgend, Blackwood, Caerphilly and Swansea.

The firm is seeking a skilled public law/inquests lawyer specialising in Judicial Review and Human Rights challenges, and/or inquests to join our multi-award-winning legal practice.

The firm is the largest Legal Aid provider in Wales and is looking to develop its public law, inquests and community care offering to work closely alongside its existing teams. CJCH has a number of departments that will enable the right candidate to develop and build a niche area of practice. The firm has a large, dedicated childcare team, an award-winning Court of Protection team, a mental health team as well as private and legal aid crime departments. These departments will support and complement the right candidate to build their own practice area within a forward‑striving firm.

The firm encourages development of all staff to reach their career goals with structured routes to leadership within an expanding, successful practice. There will be opportunity to work with senior leaders of the firm to help expand the scope of the department. The successful candidate will be able to build and expand their own team, whether in Wales or across England, as part of CJCH.

Working patterns and location can be flexible, to include nationwide remote working for the right candidate who can support the growth of the team across England and Wales.

Key Responsibilities

You will have a following and a proven track record in inquests/administrative law including handling Judicial Reviews and human rights litigation.

• Case Management: Grow and manage a caseload of inquests/public law matters, including claimant Judicial Reviews and Human Rights Act challenges. Prepare and manage complex funding applications for the Legal Aid Agency alongside managing privately funded litigation.
• Advocacy: Provide strong representation for our clients and have excellent working relationships with expert barristers.
• Departmental Growth: Participate in business development to expand our public law presence and mentor and build a team.
• Legal Aid Knowledge: Strong working familiarity with Legal Aid Agency procedures and compliance standards.
• Client Care: Deep empathy and professionalism when dealing with vulnerable clients or high‑stakes public interest issues.

Qualifications & Skills

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with a current Practising Certificate.
• Minimum of 3+ years PQE preferred in inquests/public/administrative law (open to a varying level of seniority based on technical expertise)
• Strong advocacy skills and demonstrated experience handling judicial reviews.
• Sound understanding of public law, community care law and human rights legislation

Benefits and Salary

• Salary – competitive based on experience, above‑market base and performance‑based bonus scheme;
• Genuine career progression (to be discussed at interview)
• A day off for your birthday
• Hybrid working arrangements across our South Wales offices and remote working

Applications to be reviewed on a rolling basis, and successful candidates will be contacted for an interview.

• Locations: Barry Office, Blackwood Office, Bridgend Office, Caerphilly Office, Cardiff Office, Swansea Office, Hybrid
• Full‑Time
• Permanent
• Posted: 2 weeks ago
• Closing time: In 6 days time ( 17th July 2026 at 00:00 )