Civil Litigation Lawyer

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 as a Solicitor Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive (with a Civil Proceedings Certificate to undertake Advocacy.
• 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 inhouse team
• Experience in using case management or similar systems
• Judicial Reviews
• Debt Recovery

It is also desirable that candidates have exposure and/or some knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

• Employment claims: including discrimination harassment victimisation whistleblowing pay equality pensions unfair dismissal and other contractual claims.
• Operational police orders: including orders under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 Stalking Protection Orders Violent Offender Orders orders under the AntiSocial Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 injunctions to prevent forced marriages firearms and alcohol licensing
• General police powers and The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
• Advising in contractual and commercial issues arising concerning procurement of goods and services.
• Advising on matters of governance collaboration corporate and compliance.
• Police discipline/misconduct

Prospective 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.

Hours:The post holder will be required to work core service hours..

Location: Lloyd House Birmingham.

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

Medical: Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks which may include a test and if required a fitness test.

Interviews:Interview dates to be confirmed.

Contact:For further information regarding this role please contactMichael Smith on

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 highvolume seasonal and highpeak times the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and nondisabled people. In these circumstances the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job as they would do for nondisabled 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

By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:

Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme

Enhanced annual leave in additional to public holiday entitlements

Discounts across travel parking daily costs of living and leisure activities

A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support free eye tests and flu jabs