Praxis has been successful in an application to the Legal Education Fund (LEF) to host a Justice First Fellow (JFF) at Praxis. The fellowship has been running since 2014 and provides a route for aspiring social justice lawyers to become qualified solicitors whilst working at a host organisation. We will be joining a wide range of esteemed organisations to host a fellow including Coram Children's Legal Centre, JustRight Scotland and South Yorkshire Refugee Law and Justice. The application process is now open and you can apply through the LEF portal.
Job Title: JFF Trainee Solicitor
Location: Praxis, Pott Street, London E2 0EF
Type of Position: English or Welsh Training Contract - SQE route only
Training Jurisdiction: England and Wales
Starting Salary: £38,133
Interview Dates: Wednesday 20th January and Wednesday 27th January 2027.
Job Description:
Role purpose
Complete a two-year, fixed-term Justice First Fellowship training contract, leading to qualification as a solicitor. With supervision from a qualified solicitor, you will deliver high-quality, person-centred legal advice and casework for migrants while developing your professional skills through structured supervision, training and reflective practice.
Eligibility
This role is intended for candidates pursuing qualification as a solicitor through the SQE route. Applicants must be able to meet the requirements for a two-year training contract and should explain in their application how the fellowship supports their route to qualification.
Legal advice and casework
- Provide specialist one-to-one advice and follow-up casework under the supervision of a qualified solicitor or Immigration Advice Authority adviser. Complete the IAA Level 1 qualification during the first year and Level 2 at the beginning of the second year, progressing to management of your own caseload with ongoing supervision and support.
- Undertake legal and country-of-origin research; prepare advice and client care letters, legal representations, immigration applications and witness statements; advise on appeal rights; and correspond with the Home Office, First-tier Tribunal and other relevant organisations.
- Support clients with professionalism, sensitivity and respect, identifying and responding appropriately to safeguarding, welfare and vulnerability concerns for a highly diverse and marginalised client group.
- Provide effective signposting and referrals to other organisations or legal aid solicitors where appropriate.
- Deliver services remotely and through outreach as required.
- Work collaboratively within Praxis’ Advice Team, learning from experienced colleagues across a range of legal disciplines.
- Work on public law challenges, including drafting pre-action protocol letters alongside public law solicitors.
Case management, quality and reporting
- Maintain clear, accurate and timely case records and comply with file-management, confidentiality and quality-assurance requirements.
- Monitor outcomes against project targets and contribute evidence, case studies and reports for internal learning, funders and stakeholders.
- Contribute to peer casework support and, as your experience develops, help support volunteers later in the fellowship.
Partnerships, capacity building and systems change
- Build effective relationships with colleagues, community organisations, referral partners, legal professionals and relevant networks.
- Support outreach, rights-awareness activities and the development and delivery of training, workshops and information resources.
- Use evidence and learning from casework to identify barriers to justice, improve services and contribute to Praxis’ policy, campaigning, advocacy and strategic work.
- Attend relevant forums and represent Praxis appropriately.
Learning and organisational responsibilities
- Participate fully in supervision, training, reflective practice, appraisal and team activities, taking responsibility for continuing professional development.
- Work in accordance with Praxis values, policies and procedures and promote an inclusive, anti-racist and collaborative culture.
- Contribute to relevant events, organisational development and publicity, and undertake other duties appropriate to the role.
Justice First Fellowship project
- Design, deliver and evaluate a Justice First Fellowship project aligned with Praxis’ priorities and agreed with your supervisor. The project may involve collaboration with colleagues in campaigns, communications, training, advocacy or another non-legal advice team.
Trainee Areas of Law: Immigration / Asylum;Human Rights;Public and administrative law
Person Specification:
Essential criteria
- Commitment to completing a two-year training contract, qualifying as a solicitor and building a career in social justice law.
- Commitment to social justice, migrants’ rights, equality and access to justice.
- Ability to understand and analyse complex legal and factual information, conduct effective research and apply learning to casework situations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, accurate documents and explain complex information accessibly.
- Experience of, or clear aptitude for, working sensitively with people facing exclusion, destitution or other difficult circumstances.
- Strong organisation, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities, use initiative and problem solve with confidence, using standard digital tools.
- Ability to learn case-management systems quickly.
- Ability to build trusted professional relationships with clients, colleagues, partners and other stakeholders, work collaboratively, respond constructively to feedback and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
- Commitment to client-centred, trauma-informed, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice, and to confidentiality, impartiality and equality of opportunity.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of legal or generalist advice, frontline voluntary or community services, or work with migrants, refugees, asylum seekers or other marginalised communities.
- Knowledge of immigration, asylum, public law, housing, welfare benefits, legal aid or related areas.
- Understanding of barriers faced by people with no recourse to public funds, undocumented young adults, people experiencing homelessness or complex needs, and LGBTQ+ young adults.
- Experience of training, public speaking, community engagement, supervising volunteers, or working with interpreters.
- Ability to communicate in a community language relevant to Praxis service users.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Praxis is committed to equality of opportunity. We particularly encourage applications from people with lived experience of the immigration system and from groups underrepresented in the legal profession.
We will make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and in the role. Please tell us at any stage if you need any adjustments.
Organisation Description:
Praxis supports migrants and refugees at risk of exclusion, destitution and injustice. Our immigration advice work is client-centred, trauma-informed and rooted in practical support, legal advice and systems change. This fellowship will give the trainee the opportunity to develop as a solicitor while contributing to high-quality advice for people who face significant barriers to justice.
Organisational Benefits:
Flexible working hours
A hybrid work model
25 days annual leave, increasing annually to the maximum 30 days (pro rata for part-time roles) (plus paid Bank Holidays)
A defined contribution pension scheme
Our employee assistance programme offers counselling and support for you 24/7
A season ticket loan to help you spread the cost of your commute
Contact for Enquiries: Daniel Ashwell
Contact Email: daniel.ashwell@praxis.org.uk
Organisation Website: https://www.praxis.org.uk/
Apply here: https://tlef.my.site.com/JFFFellowApplication/ (select Praxis)