Duty Advisers

Recruitment Process

1. When the recruitment process opens (information will appear on the recruitment page), you can request an application pack from DutyAdvisers@gmail.com, however we would far rather you complete the online application form. Training is only given to those who are offered a volunteer role following the application process. 

2. Application forms will usually be assessed by at least two members of the Duty Advice Team.

3. Those short-listed will be sent a series of legal problems, of the type encountered by Duty Advisers.  It is not expected that you will know everything, but your aptitude to spot issues and address them in some way will be assessed. The general pass mark is high – over 70 points – comparisons between applicants' quality of answers will be made and in any cycle the highest scoring candidates will be invited for interview, though we may choose to interview based on application experience as well as the legal question score - you will be told if this is the basis on which you are being interviewed.  Your legal problem answers should be your own and not shared or copied from others - if we discover that you have received assistance you will be disqualified from the application cycle. We will not offer feedback on the quality of your answers in order to protect the integrity of the test.  Those who meet the pass mark, or who show ability to acquire relevant knowledge quickly, will be invited to interview.

4. Interviews will last approximately 30 minutes.  Expect to be asked questions relating to your application form and responses to the legal problems. You will also be asked to confirm that if successful you will be able to fulfil the criteria of half a day per week for three months duration.

5. Successful interview applicants will be invited to an assessment.

6. Your assessment will involve interviewing a client represented by role player(s). The "clients" will have been briefed with their background role.  These roles are based on actual clients seen by the service. Your role will be to interview the client(s) according to the structure and form you will have been advised of.  You will be expected to provide some self-reflection on your performance in the client interviews as part of the assessment process. You will be observed and scored.  These assessments will take place at the court and may be delayed due to hearings. We will try to keep the delays at a minimum, but would hope that you will understand that this is the nature of the role.

7. Successful applicants will be notified in writing of an offer of a volunteer role; unsuccessful applicants will also be notified and will be invited to request feedback if they require it.  We have found that sometimes we have more applicants who meet the criteria than roles available and will place up to three of the next highest scoring candidates on a reserve list (you will be informed where in the list you are); offers will be made if anyone rejects a placement or does not sign up for training.

NB: Being on the reserve list does not mean that you will automatically be offered a role in the next cycle - we reserve the right to ask you to complete a further assessment alongside newer applicants in order to compare scores more easily.  We may offer a deferred place, but we do these at our discretion and not when requested by applicants.

9. Once you have received the in-class training, you will be required to shadow a duty adviser for one or two sessions.  You will observe the duty adviser(s) interviewing, negotiating and representing their client(s) in court.  You should make detailed notes as required. You will then be allocated a case of your own for which you will be supervised.  Of course, for most people, this will induce a case of nerves - but that's no bad thing! - and you will of course be given lots of support and supervision.

Please note the following:

The assessment process has been amended since the first recruitment cycle - if you have applied previously, you should take note of how the differences will affect the point at which you re-join the recruitment cycle.  If you are unclear about how this affects you, please email dutyadvisers@gmail.com to find out.

If you are unsuccessful at any stage of the process (apart from where specified - and in particular the legal problems) we will be happy to provide you with feedback on the areas where we feel you could improve. You will not be prohibited from applying again once you feel you have improved in the areas we suggest to you.  At the earliest, you will be free to reapply in the next round of applications.

Borderline candidates will be given feedback on areas they can improve and may be allowed to progress to the next stage if it is felt reasonable to allow this.

We take up all references - please ensure that you give a referee contact who is likely to reply in a short turnaround time.

Unfortunately we are unable to pay expenses. 

You will however gain invaluable real life advocacy experience with real clients, in front of real judges, which will inevitably assist you with client interviewing skills, gathering of information, formulation and giving of advice, opportunities to research areas of law, and occasionally opportunities to take on a longer running case.  Excitingly, you will also be doing real advocacy in front of real judges - an experience second to none for those who want to be advocates.  It is a worthwhile volunteer role and provides people with an essential service that they would otherwise not have. 

Most clients are extremely grateful for your help.  

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