Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC) is an independent law centre, company limited by guarantee and registered charity.
MLRC uses the law to help those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It does this through:
Free legal advice to those facing homelessness in the areas of social housing and related social welfare law
Free legal representation
Policy work advocating for change in laws, policies and attitudes that are particularly harsh for our client group
Legal support and training to organisations and professionals working in the field of housing and homelessness
Role of Solicitor with MLRC
The specific responsibilities of the Solicitor will include:
Management of a legal caseload, with particular emphasis on housing law
Provision of legal advice and assistance to individuals by phone and at legal advice clinics
Provision of legal information and advice to organisations dealing with homelessness
Provision of training on housing law
Legal research and law reform and policy work, including preparation of policy submissions as directed by the Managing Solicitor
Liaising with external organisations regarding promotion and development of the Centre and the achievement of its goals and objectives
Working as part of a team towards the strategic goals of the Centre and to ensure that high standards are maintained in office procedures and case management and, in particular, to ensure that our services are delivered in a way that respects the needs of our clients
Such other tasks as may be necessary to assist in the carrying out of the work of MLRC.
Requirements
Essential Requirements:
A professional qualification as a solicitor, holding or entitled to hold a practicing certificate from the Law Society of Ireland.
Experience of litigation, preferably at Superior Court level.
Demonstrated interest in the principle of access to justice.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a capacity to be compassionate and respectful.
A professional attitude with an ability to work as part of a team, handle competing deadlines under pressure and to act on one’s own initiative.
Enthusiasm, commitment and a capacity to be compassionate in one’s approach to clients.
IT skills.
Desirable Requirements:
Knowledge and experience of public interest law.
Experience of judicial review, public and administrative law and/or human rights law in practice.
Relevant postgraduate qualification such as a Masters in human rights/public interest law.
Experience in human rights/social justice work and/or in the community and voluntary sector.