Family Law Advice Line Volunteers

Advocate; Remote; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A pro bono legal charity is seeking women solicitors or barristers qualified in family law to volunteer by providing legal advice through a telephone advice line. This role requires a minimum commitment of one 2-hour session per month, with all activities conducted remotely. Candidates should have a current practising certificate and a commitment to the charity's values on equal opportunities.

Qualifications

• A woman solicitor, barrister or CILEx member qualified in family law.
• Ability to work remotely with adequate internet access and a private space.
• Experience in providing legal advice.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice via telephone for a minimum of one 2-hour session per month.
• Attend induction training provided by Rights of Women.
• Abide by Rights of Women’s procedures and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Ability to deliver advice clearly and calmly

Empathetic, non-judgemental and non-discriminatory manner

Working knowledge of relevant area of law

Commitment to equal opportunities

Commitment to aims of Rights of Women

Education

Current practising certificate

Qualifications as a solicitor, barrister or CILEx member

Job description

Rights of Women’s vision is to achieve equality, justice and safety in the law for all women. 2025 is our 50th anniversary!

Our mission is to advise, educate and empower women by:

• Providing women with free, confidential legal advice by specialist women solicitors and barristers
• Enabling women to understand and benefit from their legal rights through accessible and timely publications and training
• Campaigning to ensure that women’s voices are heard and law and policy meets all women’s need
• We asked Clare, who has been a volunteer since August 2019, what advice she’d give to others considering applying, she said:

“Do it! There are women all over the country that need our help and will benefit hugely from it. Volunteering is not an onerous commitment – one 2 hour a month session from your home or office and the IT is very easy to use. It is also great to be part of this volunteer community.”

Rights of Women are seeking women solicitors, barristers and legal executives qualified in family law in England and Wales to provide legal advice on our family law advice line. All volunteering is done remotely and you must be qualified in England and Wales.

For 50 years our free telephone advice lines have provided vital legal advice for women experiencing difficulties regarding domestic abuse, issues around child arrangements, finances and divorce or separation. Wecontinue to offer a safe space for women to talk about their situation and receive expert legal advice to enable them to make important decisions about their future.

A feminist perspective on the law and the issues we advise on is essential.

• Provide advice on our advice lines for one 2-hour session a month (minimum);
• Attend the induction training session provided by Rights of Women;
• Give clear and accurate legal advice to callers;
• Be non‑judgemental and non‑discriminatory in their approach;
• Follow our procedures for making records of calls and obtaining monitoring information;
• Keep up to date with the law for the relevant advice lines;
• Attend all agreed advice line sessions (remotely);
• Inform us as soon as possible if they are unable to attend an agreed session;
• Abide by Rights of Women’s procedures, standards and policies, including equal opportunities and confidentiality in relation to staff, volunteers and users.

What are we looking for?

The qualifications and skills we look for in a volunteer are:

• A woman solicitor, barrister or CILEx member;
• A current practising certificate;
• Ability to work remotely with adequate internet access and a private space;
• The ability to deliver advice clearly and calmly;
• An empathetic, non‑judgemental and non‑discriminatory manner;
• A working knowledge of the relevant area of law for their advice line;
• Commitment to equal opportunities;
• Commitment to the aims and objectives of Rights of Women.

Time commitment: 0‑5 hours a month

This opportunity is available through Rea ch Volunteering - please apply here

Causes:Domestic Violence, Families, Human and Civil Rights, Legal Advice and Justice, Victim support, Women

Roles:Training and Mentoring, Eligible for Practising Barristers

Rights of Women

National charity based in London EC1Y 8RT

Opportunities are listed at our discretion and in line with our values. We do not vet organisations and we encourage volunteers to satisfy themselves of the status and objectives of any organisation they choose to apply to work with.

We are the pro bono charity of the Bar, supported by the Bar Council

Charity No: 1057620.

POSTAL ADDRESS ONLY: Advocate, International Dispute Resolution Centre 1 Paternoster Lane, St.Paul's, London, EC4M 7BQ.We are not open for physical visits at this time.