Legal Technical Specialist, Legal Group, Emo

Job Description

Technical Specialist (LLR) - Legal Group - Enforcement & Market Oversight

Division

The FCA’s Enforcement Division has an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, talented UK qualified senior lawyer to join its Legal Group as a Technical Specialist. You will be a key point of contact with the Authorisations Division in leading and providing day to day oversight of our legal advice and support to Authorisations as well as working on a wide variety of other regulatory work, which is often high profile and cutting edge. The role accordingly will require extensive experience of handling contested Authorisations cases and sound knowledge of Authorisations policy and procedure, in addition to extensive experience of conducting commercial litigation or of contentious financial services proceedings or investigations. We handle all contentious Authorisations and Enforcement work for the FCA, including proceedings before the RDC, Upper Tribunal and High Court. We are a dynamic, inclusive and supportive team enjoying a busy workload, but also benefitting from a real work life balance. If you would welcome a challenging role where there is the opportunity for considerable professional growth and learning, please get in touch with Michael Wood on


What does the role involve?
- Conduct litigation and legal reviews of cases for submission to decision makers including the RDC, Upper Tribunal and the courts, including drafting and reviewing case papers such as statutory notices, written submissions and statements of case, witness statements, regulatory notices and charges.
- Provide the highest level of expert legal advice on potential refusal cases to Authorisations on challenging points of law, and with regard to the exercise of FCA powers and conduct any resulting regulatory proceedings.
- Instruct and manage external counsel and, where necessary, draft written and/or make oral representations to an executive decision maker, RDC, Upper Tribunal and courts.
- Advise the FCA's senior management, as necessary, on the difficult decisions and judgement calls that are part of high profile, public interest litigation.
- Contribute to the professional development of other lawyers in the division and assist in the sharing of knowledge and expertise across Enforcement.
- Contribute to the formation, development and implementation of the FCA's enforcement policy, procedures and guidance.
- Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, especially within the Authorisations Division for whom you will be a key point of contact in leading and providing effective oversight on a day to day basis of LLR’s legal advice and support as well as responding to ad hoc queries on contentious cases, but also for example with the RDC, external law firms and colleagues in other parts of the FCA.
- It is envisaged that the role will entail a split of at least 50% of your time on Authorisations matters and the remainder on other matters._
- An opportunity to work within a division that is at the forefront of the FCA's work as well as to build on your existing expertise in advising on all aspects of contentious Authorisations matters.
- An opportunity to be an integral part of a team whose complex and challenging case work has a high impact and profile both internally and externally.
- An opportunity to work on contentious matters of public importance and tackling the most serious financial services matters.
- Satisfying, worthwhile and responsible work with the opportunity to use your legal skills in highly contentious matters, often under time pressure.
- Engagement with senior stakeholders, at the highest levels within the FCA (and PRA where applicable) and the financial services industry.
- A challenging, interesting and varied portfolio of work, working with colleagues from across the Division, and other parts of the FCA (in particular Authorisations).
- Work in a high-energy and stimulating division, within a supportive environment that continually seeks to develop members across the Division.
- An opportunity to mentor junior lawyers within the team and share knowledge and experience within the Division, and other parts of the FCA (in particular Authorisations).

Skills/Experience Required

Minimum
- A qualified solicitor or barrister with a valid practising certificate issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for England and Wales (if a solicitor), or the General Council of the Bar for England and Wales (if a barrister). We would generally expect you to have a minimum of 10 years’ relevant PQE/post-pupillage experience.
- Clear and demonstrable experience of conducting commercial litigation or contentious financial services proceedings.

Essential
- Extensive experience of conducting commercial litigation or of contentious financial services proceedings or investigations, which must include extensive experience of handling contested Authorisations cases and sound knowledge of Authorisations policy and procedu