Senior Criminal Lawyer / Head of Department

  • Clear Legal & Financial Recruitment
  • Carlisle, Cumbria
  • Aug 20, 2026
Full time Legal

Job Description

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Criminal Lawyer / Head of Department to join and lead an established criminal law team.

My client is looking for a qualified Duty Solicitor with strong criminal law experience who is confident managing a team, overseeing departmental performance and providing high-quality legal advice.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious criminal lawyer looking to take the next step in their career and play a key leadership role within the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Criminal Law department and wider team.

• Manage your own caseload alongside departmental responsibilities.

• Provide high-quality advice and representation across a broad range of criminal matters.

• Support, mentor and develop junior members of the team.

• Oversee the quality, performance and compliance of the department.

• Help drive the continued growth and development of the Criminal Law department.

• Maintain excellent client relationships and high standards of client care.

• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory, professional and internal standards.

• Contribute to the strategic development of the department and identify opportunities for further growth.

About You

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with Duty Solicitor status.

• Strong experience in criminal law.

• Proven experience managing, supervising or leading a team.

• Excellent advocacy, communication and client-care skills.

• Higher Courts' Advocacy / Higher Rights qualification preferred.

• Commercially aware with the drive to contribute to the growth of the department.

• Organised, confident and capable of working effectively under pressure.

• A natural leader who can motivate and develop a team.

Should you have any questions or wish to apply please do not hesitate to contact Clear Legal and Financial Recruitment.

Please Note: Due to the number of applications we receive we may be unable to respond to every application directly. If you have not heard from us within 3 working days, please assume your application has been unsuccessful