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Watson Woodhouse & Macks Solicitors

Secretary - Private Prosecution

Middlesbrough, Teesside, United Kingdom
Full Time
Closes May 31, 2026




We are a full-service law firm based in Middlesbrough serving clients throughout the UK and further afield. We have an outstanding reputation for delivering high-quality advice with exceptional personal service.

With a history stretching back over 30 years, we recognise the importance of the contribution that businesses like ours should and can have to the local community and we, therefore, encourage our employees to get involved and give back to the local community in which we live and work.

Our vision is to set the standard for legal excellence & deliver justice for the people and in doing so, to become the law firm of choice & champion of the community for businesses, organisations and individuals.  To meet our vision and deliver an outstanding service we employ individuals who understand our client’s needs and take pride in what they do and how they do it.  Our values go to the heart of the firm.  They define who we are and how we work.  By remaining true to our values, we will achieve our vision.  This is what we value most:

  • Teamwork – we trust and respect one another. We see strength in our diversity as individuals and as a practice. We achieve the best outcomes for clients when we work collaboratively, recognizing and respecting the different perspectives that we bring.
  • Excellent Client Service – We take the time to truly understand our clients’ needs and aim to provide practical, tailored and commercial solutions – not just options – to help them achieve their goals.
  • Professionalism – We work to the highest professional and technical standards, acting with the upmost integrity at all times. We are fiercely proud of our reputation as a trusted adviser to our clients, often over several generations, and continually strive to ensure that our client’s interests come first and foremost.
  • Our People – We work together to create an open, supportive and friendly working environment where our people feel valued, can develop their careers and achieve their professional ambitions.

 If this sounds like a vision you would like to be a part of, our values resonate with your own personal values, and you meet the requirements of the role described, we’d be delighted to hear from you.


We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a highly organised and proactive Secretary to join our specialist Private Prosecution team.

This is a fast paced and sensitive area of law, and you will play a crucial role in supporting fee earners in the progression of complex criminal matters from initial instruction through to trial.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Assisting with the preparation and drafting of legal documents, including case summaries, witness statements, and correspondence
  • Supporting the progression of private prosecutions in accordance with the relevant legislation
  • Liaising with clients, courts, and third parties in a professional and confidential manner
  • Handling initial enquiries and coordinating client and witness appointments
  • Maintaining accurate case management records and ensuring key deadlines are met

 

Requirements

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

  • Strong organisational skills and resilience - able to manage competing priorities in a time critical criminal law environment
  • Excellent communication and IT skills - confident liaising with clients, counsel, and court staff, with strong document management ability
  • Experience in civil litigation is highly desirable but not essential
  • Exceptional attention to detail - essential when preparing evidence and court documentation
  • Discretion and professionalism - ability to handle sensitive and high profile matters
  • Strong work ethic and adaptability - committed, flexible, and willing to support the team as required, including occasional work outside core hours 


What We Offer:

  • Company pension scheme
  • 33 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
  • Professional membership payments
  • Professional development
  • Employee referral scheme


Apply For This Job

To apply for this position, please fill in the information below.

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The final step is for you to provide us with at least two different references from the past 5 years. These should be from managers you’ve worked with, but if you’ve been in one role over that timeframe, your second referee can be a colleague who has worked with you during this time.

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