Job Description
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.
Previous applicants who have not been successful for this role in the last 6 months are not eligible to apply on this occasion.
An exciting and challenging opportunity has arisen to be part of the Joint Legal Services Team, which supports both West Midlands and Staffordshire Police Forces and their Police and Crime Commissioners.
We are seeking a Senior Lawyer to join our team and assist in providing a comprehensive legal service to our clients. This role will have a focus on Civil Litigation claims brought against both Forces, but the nature of our service requires a flexibility to work across all areas of police law and practice when required.
As a Senior Lawyer you will carry a caseload and line manage a team whose focus is defending claims made against our clients. Examples of these claims include false imprisonment, misfeasance, malicious prosecution, wrongful arrest, HRA and the risk management issues arising in these matters.
Key Responsibilities
Advise & provide representation (including advocacy where required) in relation to legal proceedings and hearings before the relevant courts & tribunals. This includes carrying a complex case load and drafting legal documents.
Operate at a strategic level, supporting the Principal Solicitor in providing leadership & direction to a team of lawyers and support staff within Joint Legal Services
Support the Principal Lawyer in accountability for budget spend and/or the financial oversight and accountability for their team, including delegation for settlement of claims and authorisation of expenditure on external costs
Support the strategic objectives of Joint Legal Services by leading upon delivery of objectives whilst identifying and managing any relevant risk.
Provide timely legal advice, legal support and representation for both West Midlands Police and Staffordshire Police regarding Civil Litigation Claims and a wide range of other issues within the Teams' remit affecting the forces
Work with external legal services (including Counsel) where necessary in the most cost-effective manner
Identify and manage risk whilst ensuring that performance management of the team is adhered to and that any 'lessons to be learned' is fed back into the Force
Allocation & delegation of work to the team whilst working collaboratively with a variety of clients, colleagues and other stakeholders
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
You must be a qualified and practicing solicitor or barrister and must hold a valid Practicing Certificate for England and Wales with significant PQE experience.
Experience in managing complex and high-profile Civil Litigation claims.
Experience in the following types of claims:
Unlawful arrest
False imprisonment
Misfeasance
Malicious prosecution
Human Rights Act
Data protection breaches
In the role of Senior Lawyer, you will have the ability to advise at a senior level in the organisation demonstrating your strong leadership, negotiation and interpersonal skills alongside your ability to influence and work with a wide range of stakeholders.
Your team will excel from your coaching and mentoring skills and your constructive approach to problem solving.
You will have the ability to work under pressure, excel at meeting deadlines, possess strong file management skills, be able to work autonomously or as part of a team, and capable of taking on new areas of work with minimal supervision.
With capability as an advocate before the Courts, you will have strong analytical skills & judgement, first rate drafting skills, and be able to demonstrate sound and balanced judgement with good attention to detail.
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.
Interviews
Interviews are likely to take place week commencing 23rd March - Please ensure that you can be available during this week.
West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader and committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences.
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 addition 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.
About Us
West Midlands Police is the second-largest police force in the country, serving the three major cities of Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton, alongside the districts of Sandwell, Walsall, Solihull, and Dudley.
Against this backdrop, the force handles more than 2,000 emergency calls every day, while patrolling the streets and responding to incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We have made significant improvements in reducing overall crime, improving call response times, and increasing arrest rates. This work can only continue with the right people, therefore as an employer of choice, we are looking for the right people who can serve and protect our communities.