This post is based in Manchester providing face to face and online legal immigration advice and representation to people across North West England. GMIAU operates a hybrid work pattern with a minimum of 2 days per week to be spent in the office once the training period has been completed and agreed. Initially staff are expected to work more hours in the office than at home.
PURPOSE OF THE POST
To conduct immigration and asylum casework within a team of advisers and representatives.
The solicitor must be able to deal with all immigration and asylum matters. The solicitor will carry out duties commensurate with a IAAS Senior Caseworker and work well both independently and as part of a team of experienced caseworkers based in Manchester and Liverpool.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To provide high-quality legal advice in all areas of asylum and immigration.
2. To ensure that all advice, assistance and representations comply with the requirements of the SRA/IAA and the LAA contract for legal aid.
3. To maintain accurate and up to date client records and files.
4. To conduct casework in accordance with agreed GMIAU practice, including file management, time recording and performance targets. Billing targets are based
on solicitors/caseworkers bringing in enough income to cover their salary costs as a minimum.
5. To undertake all aspects of casework. This includes research, completing forms, advising and making representations, preparing appeal bundles, lodging applications, and representation at all levels of challenge including Ftt, UT, CoA. (The examples are not exhaustive).
6. To manage a caseload of cases according to the level of experience and accreditation held.
7. To contribute towards, and participate in, project work that is designed to assist particular groups of people.
8. To see clients held in detention in the North West as agreed.
9. To attend training as required by GMIAU.
10. To keep up to date with developments and changes in UK immigration law and practice.
11. To conduct casework in accordance with agreed GMIAU practice.
12. To work alongside other agencies who support the clients we represent.
General
1. To maintain Law Society (IAAS) accreditation at Senior Caseworker level and participate in regular training to maintain CPD and improve knowledge and expertise.
2. To be self-servicing, including typing own documents, copying, and maintaining computerised records.
3. To work as part of a team to cover the advice line and our legal advice appointment system.
4. To arrange client appointments and the booking of interpreters according GMIAU procedures.
5. To follow the GMIAU process for incurring and paying disbursements
6. To attend meetings of the Board of Trustees, and sub committees as directed.
7. To work within the GMIAU structure and supervision framework.
8. To attend team meetings, training sessions and casework meetings.
9. To carry out all duties with due regard to equality principles and to challenge discrimination.
10. To carry out all duties with due regard for the health and safety of yourself and others
11. To carry out other duties which are commensurate with the duties of and responsibilities within this job description as directed by the CEO or Board of Trustees.
About Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit and the post of Immigration Solicitor/IAA Level 3 and IAAS Senior Caseworker.
GMIAU is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to provide immigration legal advice, representation, and support, to people in the north west, and to campaign for improvements in the treatment of people in the immigration and asylum system.
We are looking to recruit a qualified solicitor or IAA level 3 advisor who is also an IAAS Senior Caseworker to strengthen our legal team, based in Manchester, to ensure people in the North West have access to high-quality immigration legal advice and representation. We hold legal aid contracts in immigration and public law.
GMIAU’s vision is that everyone facing immigration challenges has access to justice. We know that getting a free, specialist, qualified legal advisor is extremely difficult. It is estimated that less than 50% of people claiming asylum will get a legal aid lawyer to represent them in their claim for protection. The north west is one of the largest asylum dispersal areas in the country but has the largest legal aid deficit in England and Wales, despite having the third-highest provision. https://justice-together.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/No-Access-to-Justice-Report-2025.pdf
Our Values
· We are not silent when we see injustice.
· We make sure we have the knowledge and expertise we need to succeed.
· We value and maximise the talents and humanity of immigrant communities.
· We will always treat people with dignity and respect.
· We campaign for improvements in immigration law and policy.
· We take on difficult cases and we don’t give up easily.
Our Strategic Objectives
1. To provide high quality immigration legal advice and representation to those most in need.
2. To develop additional services where required to respond to the needs of the people we work with
3. To work with others in strategic and operational partnerships to ensure we have greater impact
4. To be a credible voice influencing local and national strategies and policies
5. To be an effective, efficient, resilient, sustainable, well-resourced organisation.
GMIAU is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. We are passionate about the work that we do and we are committed to providing the best possible service to people in need. We represent adults and children in immigration, asylum, nationality, and human rights. All our services are free.
Staff at GMIAU
There are currently 40 members of staff at GMIAU.
1. The legal team is comprised of a Senior Solicitor, Supervising Solicitors, Supervising Senior Caseworkers, Solicitors, IAAS Advanced and Senior caseworkers, IAA level 2 caseworkers, and legal trainees.
2. We have a destitution team who help people secure accommodation and support
3. We have a policy team who lead on our influencing work, campaigns, and communications.
4. We also have a small team of administration and finance assistants.
We run a number of projects to support people who are homeless and destitute, people fleeing domestic abuse who have no recourse to public funds, and children and young people. We take social work students on placement, and we have approximately 20 volunteers at any one time. We are governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees.
Services
Legal Casework:
We carry out Legal Immigration Casework and Representation including judicial review and appeals in the Higher Courts. We have offices in Manchester and one in Liverpool.
We have a Public Law solicitor and hold Legal Aid Agency contracts in immigration and asylum and public law.
Information and Advice:
We provide immigration advice to people who contact us through our website. If we can’t take on a case we will provide advice and guidance to help someone work out what they can do next. We have a range of written materials on our website to update people on new legislation and its potential impact, as well as on subjects such as detention, fresh claims for asylum, and children and young people’s rights
Homeless and Destitution Support Services
Including asylum support appeals, helping people secure accommodation and support.
Community Outreach sessions:
We run advice sessions in the community to meet the needs of particular groups of people.
Training:
We provide training to voluntary and statutory agencies across the region.
You can find further details about the work we do on our website www.gmiau.org
HOURS: 35 HOURS (flexitime)
HOLIDAYS: 28 days.
How To Apply:
Please find the application form here.