Civil Litigation Lawyer

P rospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

Joint Legal Services are looking for a lawyer who specialises in Civil Litigation matters to join our busy and dynamic team. The lawyer will provide legal advice and representation under the general direction of the Director of Joint Legal Services (JLS). As a lawyer, you will work collaboratively with a variety of clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders to provide a comprehensive legal service to the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner for both Staffordshire and West Midlands Police.

Working within the Civil Litigation Team you will have a case load consisting of claims made against our clients. Examples of these claims include false imprisonment, misfeasance, malicious prosecution, wrongful arrest, HRA and the risk management issues arising therefrom. You will be required to undertake a degree advocacy within this role.

Role & Responsibilities

• Work within a team of lawyers and support staff in the provision of a comprehensive legal service to the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner for both Staffordshire and West Midlands Police
• To advise and provide representation (including advocacy where required) in relation to legal proceedings and hearings before the relevant Courts & Tribunals
• Work with external legal services (including Counsel) where necessary
• Provide timely legal advice to all clients as required
• Carry a complex case load providing advice and advocacy as required
• Draft legal documents
• To carry out any other duties commensurate with the purpose and grading of the post that may from time to time be determined

Experience and Qualifications

Essential:

• Professional legal qualification (or expected within the next 3 months) as a Solicitor.
• Experience in handling a complex Civil litigation case load, such as claims for false imprisonment, misfeasance, malicious prosecution, wrongful arrest, and the risk management issues arising therefrom with minimal supervision
• Demonstrate sound analytical skills and judgement

Desirable:

• Previous experience in a legal environment within a public sector in-house team
• Experience in using case management or similar systems
• Judicial Reviews
• Debt Recovery

Interviews:

Interviews are likely to take place during week commencing 15 th December.

Vetting:

Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Security Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical:

Appointment to this role may be dependent upon successfully completing medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a 'Disability Confident Interview Scheme' - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

"Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities"