Overview
At the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, we make final decisions on complaints about UK Government departments and the NHS in England, and our findings don’t just resolve individual cases, they help drive wider improvements across public services. For a solicitor, this is work with purpose, visibility and influence. You will be advising on complex, often sensitive matters that go to the heart of fairness, independence and good administration. Our Legal team plays a central role in supporting high‑quality decision‑making, managing litigation, and helping colleagues across the organisation understand and manage legal risk. If you’re looking for a legal role with real variety and challenge, this is an organisation where you can make a meaningful contribution. You will be based in either our Manchester or London offices, depending on your location, with some travel expected between offices occasionally.
Full details of the requirements of this role are set out in the Role Profile. In summary, as a Solicitor in our Legal team, you will work closely with casework and corporate teams, attend meetings and legal advice clinics, and help colleagues navigate legal risk with confidence.
Application Ethics
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application; however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Diversity and Inclusion
Inclusion & Wellbeing equality, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing are vital to the way we work and our culture. We want our colleagues to feel included, valued, and supported at work. It is essential that we are representative and accessible for the people who work here and those who use our service.
Which is why we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be under‑represented within the team. These include people who are:
* Asian, Black, Mixed Ethnicity or another ethnic background
* Disabled
* LGBTQ
Actions we take to embed this include:
* An anonymised shortlisting process to make sure it is fair and unbiased
* Monitoring the demographic trends in our workforce and making measured, sustained efforts to improve our diversity at all levels
* Providing wellbeing support and opportunities for personal and professional development for all colleagues
* Creating spaces for connection and engagement through our employee network groups and social clubs
* Part of the disability confident scheme
* Providing reasonable adjustments
* Engaging in regular inclusion learning to enhance the cultural competency of our organisation
Security and Eligibility
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete checks. Nationality requirements: This job is broadly open to the following groups:
* UK nationals
* Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the
* Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Civil Service Commitment
The Civil Service sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's guidelines. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. We are committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.
Responsibilities
Alongside your casework, you will build and maintain strong technical knowledge of the legislation governing the Ombudsman's work, including data protection, and stay up to date with professional standards. You will be comfortable managing competing priorities, using your judgement and initiative to support the wider goals of the Legal team.
Qualifications and Experience
* Experience of working effectively within a team, contributing to shared objectives while taking responsibility for their own work and decisions.
* The ability to work flexibly and adapt their approach when dealing with changing priorities, competing deadlines or complex situations, while remaining approachable and professional.
* Up-to-date legal knowledge and experience relevant to litigation, with the ability to progress a busy and varied caseload. This will normally include experience of having conducted cases, or clear evidence of operating at that level, with the capability to develop and apply knowledge of relevant statutes and procedure.
* Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain legal concepts clearly and proportionately, provide advice at different levels, and communicate effectively both in writing and verbally with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including complainants in challenging or sensitive circumstances.
Applicants must be a qualified solicitor with 3 years PQE; relevant experience gained prior to qualification will also be considered.
Benefits
* Civil Service Pension scheme
* 32.5 days annual leave (plus bank holidays on top)
* Hybrid working, 40 percent office based
* Access to a free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 advice and support from professionals and counsellors
* Comprehensive learning and development programme
* Employee discount scheme across hundreds of retailers
* Bicycle loan scheme
* Season ticket loan
* Gym membership subsidy
* Paid for professional memberships
* Eye test reimbursement
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