Legal Volunteer
The Cleaners and Allied Independent Workers Union is looking for driven and talented aspiring lawyers to join their pool of legal volunteers. Volunteers undertake a range of tasks, from accompanying members to grievance and disciplinary meetings to drafting statements of case/witness statements to attending Employment Tribunals. This is all done on an ad hoc basis so there is no specific time requirement, and it can be done alongside other work. If you are looking for pupillage, particularly in employment or other areas of civil law, the experience that volunteering with CAIWU provides can be invaluable. Past volunteers have gone on to obtain pupillage at top sets. In addition, volunteers play a vital role in allowing cleaners to enforce their rights, avoid exploitation and making a real difference to the lives of vulnerable employees with limited resources and often precarious migrant status, facing big business with deep pockets.
In order to apply, please send your legal CV to cases@caiwu.org.uk
by 19th July 2026 at 23:59 pm. Please make sure the subject line of this email is “NAME - Legal Volunteer Application 2026”.
Applicants must have:
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Completed the GDL or a law degree; AND
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Be currently completing or have completed the BVS or LPC; OR Have equivalent advocacy experience OR have experience in employment law (i.e., as a paralegal).
Applicants will have their CV scored on the following criteria:
• Academic ability;
• Communication skills;
• Prior legal experience; and
• Commitment to the trade union ethos.
In addition, many of our members are Spanish or Portuguese speakers, so proficiency in either of those languages is a bonus, but by no means necessary.
You will hear back from us on 24th July 2026 to confirm whether your application has been successful.
Successful applicants will be required to attend a virtual training session on the
31st July2025 before being able to take on cases. If you have any questions or access requirements, please let us know by emailing cases@caiwu.org.uk with the subject line “Query about Legal Volunteer Application 2026.