Higher Courts Advocate

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 339444**Salary**:

- £54,358 - £61,585- A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%**Job grade**:

- Grade 7- Grade 7**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Type of role**:

- Legal Services**Working pattern**:

- Full-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 2Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- This position is based at LAA Stephenson House, FLR 3, DL1 4WBAbout the job

**Job summary**:

- Please refer to Job Description**Job description**:
**Job Title: Higher Courts Advocate**

**Contract Type: Permanent**

**Grade: G7**

**Salary range: National £54,358 - £61,585**

**Location: Darlington/ North East**

**Directorate/Team: Public Defender Service**

**Public Defender Service**

The Public Defender Service (PDS) is a department of the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) that operates alongside private providers delivering a full range of high-quality services within the criminal-defence market.

Advocates are briefed both by in-house Solicitors and Solicitors in private practice to conduct cases before the Crown Court, Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. They deal with matters of all types, complexity, sensitivity and gravity.

The post holder will be part of an effective defence-litigation team, preparing and managing case plans, acting as sole Advocate or being led as Junior Counsel.

As a result of the experience gained from its participation in these areas, the PDS contributes credible and expert advice to the government on service and policy development affecting the criminal-justice system and acts as a test-bed for innovation and quality improvements.

**Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion**

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and we positively promote flexible working, including job shares.

**Job Summary**

**Key responsibilities**
- Conduct criminal cases before courts at all levels throughout England and Wales to the highest professional standards.
- Utilise a high level of up-to-date knowledge of criminal law and procedure, including in relation to complex, serious and sensitive cases, and procedure in the higher courts.
- Upon reviewing prosecution evidence and receiving instructions from clients, conduct analysis and decide on case management strategies, including defence tactics, procurement of defence evidence - including expert witnesses - and the provision of plea and defence advice to defendants.
- Provide leadership in tactic and case planning as part of a defence litigation team.
- Decide upon the merits of appealing convictions and sentences and provide advice and representation to clients on appeals and judicial reviews in the Court of Appeal and the High Court.
- Maintain excellent working relationships within the PDS and the wider LAA/MoJ, sharing expertise and knowledge, and informing policy-making and changes to the Criminal Justice System with experience gained in your practice.
- Act as a role model for other Advocates and team members, including providing training and mentoring to colleagues.
- Supervise pupil barristers.
- Pursue own professional development.

**Essential Criteria**
- Barrister or Solicitor-Advocate with a minimum of 5 years PQE, fully qualified to practise in England & Wales and with substantial criminal-law practice experience in the Higher Courts.
- Established practitioner with significant solicitor following.
- Advanced advocacy skills.
- Ability to establish a rapport with criminal-defence clients.
- Commitment to the goal of PDS to become an exemplar of best practice in criminal advocacy.
- Flexibility and preparedness to travel if required.

**Desirable Criteria**
- Experience as a pupil supervisor.

**Assessment approach**

**Application Process**

You will be assessed on the essential criteria for the role via a CV and a Statement of Suitability.

**Interview Process**
- Your qualifications and experience as a Higher Courts Advocate.
- The Strengths relevant to the role.

**Complaints procedure**

If you are dissatisfied with our response, we will forward your complaint to the Civil Service Commission, an independent body, for review.

**Person specification**:

- Please refer to Job Description**Memberships**:

- Admission to the Bar with valid practising certificate or admission to the Roll of Solicitors with higher rights of audience**Benefits**:

- Alongside your salary of £54,358, Legal Aid Agency contributes £15,165 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.- Access to learning and development
- A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Annual Leave
- Public Holidays
- Season Ticket Advance

Things you need to know

**Selection process details**