Join Us

If you are passionate about working in Criminal Defence and are interested in joining us we’d love to hear from you. Whatever stage you are at in your career, whether you are just starting out or are a fully qualified duty solicitor, higher rights advocate, or barrister, please contact us to make a vacancy enquiry.

Click the links below to download job descriptions for some of the roles we have within the firm:

Solicitor 

Barrister 

Higher Rights Advocate

Paralegal

NEW – HR & Operations Manager – Full Time

Location: Bournemouth Town Centre

Compensation: Up to £35,000 per annum + company benefits

Full Time: 40 hours per week with 25 days per year annual leave (increasing to 30 days after five calendar years of service) + plus bank holidays

Are you the kind of person who thrives on keeping everything (and everyone) running smoothly? Do you pride yourself on being organised, proactive, and the one people turn to when they need things done properly?

We’re a specialist Criminal Defence law firm in Bournemouth — professional and committed to excellence, but also approachable, human and down-to-earth. We’re looking for someone who doesn’t just manage processes but takes ownership of them. If you’ve spent the last few years running HR and operations in a professional services environment (bonus points if it’s been in a law firm), then you’ll know how important it is to balance structure with flexibility – and how much of a difference the right person can make.

Here’s who we think will love this role:

• You’re a natural organiser – diaries, systems, processes, people – you bring order and efficiency wherever you go.
• You’re comfortable being the first point of contact for HR and know your way around employment law, policies, and all the details that keep a firm compliant and high performing.
• You have a minimum of three years experience managing a team and dealing with HR matters, with an industry recognised HR qualification.
• You’ve got the confidence to make decisions and solve problems on your own, but you’re just as happy supporting directors with big-picture projects or day-to-day admin.
• You’re ambitious, motivated, and see yourself being a key figure in helping shape and grow the firm

Let’s not forget, our home in Bournemouth gives you the best of both worlds: award-winning Blue Flag beaches on your doorstep, the Purbecks to one side, the New Forest to the other, and London Waterloo is less than two hours away.

To apply for this position, send your CV along with a covering letter (include a short paragraph describing a situation outside of work where you’ve had to show calm and composure – we’d love to see how you bring those qualities into every part of your life) to Sarah Hill (Director): [email protected].

If you’re looking for a role where you’ll be trusted to get on with things, backed to take initiative, and valued for the standards you set, we’d love to hear from you!

Closing Date: 10 October 2025.

Duty Solicitor – Full Time or Part Time (Minimum of 3 Days Per Week)

We are currently looking to recruit a fully qualified duty solicitor. The successful candidate will be:

• A member of the Law Society’s Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme (CLSA)
• Eligible to undertake duty work with immediate effect and be included on the next CRM12 submission to join the Bournemouth & Poole Duty Scheme
• Committed to a career in Criminal Defence
• Willing to undertake all aspects of a solicitor’s role, including police station attendance, trial advocacy, and managing a caseload
• Committed to their own personal development, including maintaining training standards and LAA contract compliance
• Willing to work at least 3 days a week

Salary starting point: £34,000 (subject to negotiation).

Application is by CV and covering letter to [email protected]. Alternatively, if you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Sarah Hill: [email protected].

Solicitor – Full Time or Part Time (Minimum of 3 Days Per Week)

We are absolutely delighted to offer the opportunity for a qualified solicitor to join our firm and undertake the necessary assessments to become a duty solicitor.  This role is being offered with the intention that the successful applicant continues to work with us post-qualification as a duty solicitor. The successful candidate will:

• Have completed the LPC or passed the SQE1 and SQE2 and have been/about to be admitted to the Roll.
• Be passionate about pursuing a career in Criminal Defence
• Willing to undertake all aspects of a solicitor’s role, including police station attendance, trial advocacy, and managing a caseload
• Committed to their own personal development, including maintaining training standards and LAA contract compliance
• Demonstrate an aptitude for courtroom advocacy, client care, and criminal litigation
• Have excellent IT skills
• Be willing to go through the accreditation process to become a duty solicitor (qualifying through Cardiff University).

Application is by CV and covering letter to [email protected]. Alternatively, if you would like to learn more about the role, please contact Sarah Hill: [email protected].

Salary starting point: £31,000 (subject to negotiation).

Our pupillage application process is currently closed.  However, you can read more about our pupillage and what the recruitment process involves here:

12-Month Pupillage – Full Time (Fixed Term Contract)

We will in future recruit again for an aspiring barrister to undertake a 12-month pupillage with us.  This role is advertised on the basis that a permanent Employed Barrister role will be offered at the end, subject to successful completion of pupillage.  Only those who already meet the BSB’s mandatory minimum requirements for qualification will be eligible to apply, namely they will have:

• Attained a lower second class honours (2:2) law degree or, alternatively, a lower second class honours (2:2) non-law degree + Graduate Diploma in Law (or equivalent);
• Successfully completed the Bar Training Course (or a post-graduate BSB approved Bar Course, previously the BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course), or,  another England and Wales bar qualification (e.g. Bar Transfer Test)
• Completed the prescribed number of qualifying sessions as a student member of an Inn, or be in the process of completing them;
• Been Called to the Bar or will soon be Called.

The successful applicant will be employed on a 12-month fixed term contract, structured as a six-months non-practicing period followed by a six months practicing period.  The salary will be £24,000 per annum.  Further information about our pupillage can be viewed here: (02) Pupillage Information – Hill Twine Solicitors & Barristers.

Application is likely to be outside of the Pupillage Gateway timetable and process.  It will by the submission of a fully completed application form, which can be downloaded here: (00) Pupillage Application Form – Hill Twine Solicitors & Barristers.  This form must be sent by the closing date to Sarah Hill: [email protected].

Applicants who scores the highest in the paper sift will be invited for a first-round interview.  If second-round interviews are necessary, these will take place within four weeks of the first interview (dates will be notified in advance).

Offers will be made by a specified date.

We are delighted to be able to offer work experience placements to those who are considering pursuing a legal career within the Criminal Justice System.  Due to the nature of the work we deal with, and the requirement for those undertaking placements to travel to local courthouses and police stations to observe proceedings, we only accept applications from those aged 18 or over who are able to transport themselves (either using private or public transport).  If you are are interested in undertaking work experience with Hill Twine Solicitors & Barristers, please send your CV and covering letter to Sarah Hill: [email protected].

Please note, we receive a lot of requests for work experience and will prioritise applications from those who demonstrate an understanding of our firm and the work we do.  Applications which are obviously speculative from those whom it is apparent have not taken the time to learn something about the firm and address the application to the correct person, will not be considered.