About the team
Our Emergency Services team is one of the largest in the UK. We are brand leaders in services for police forces, with in-depth expertise in all types of claims. We have considerable experience in handling sensitive and/or high-profile claims and are equally skilled in managing the media attention that these cases sometimes attract. Our specialist practitioners act exclusively for the police service, representing a diverse range of Forces across England and Wales. As the largest dedicated police legal team in the country, our lawyers have been involved in some of the most high-profile and significant cases involving the police service over the last 15 years.
Opportunity
We have an exciting opportunity for a senior solicitor (4+ PQE) to join our national Casualty Police Claims team, based in Liverpool, Manchester, Leicester, Birmingham or Leeds. We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who have either police claims experience or Data Protection Act (DPA)/information law experience (e.g. DPA 2018, UK GDPR).
Applicants with expertise in one of these areas will receive full support and training to develop their skills in the other, ensuring they can work effectively across both police litigation and data protection matters.
What you’ll be doing
Act on behalf of various police forces, claims handlers and insurers in the defence of civil actions against the police.
Manage a caseload of pre‑litigated and litigated civil ‘malfeasance’ claims (such as false imprisonment, trespass, malicious prosecution, and Human Rights Act claims) as well as data breach claims and employer’s liability claims.
Attend court hearings and conduct your own advocacy where appropriate.
Liaise with solicitors, insurers, experts, counsel and clients.
Control diaries and action lists and complete client MI (Management Information) procedures.
Support and mentor junior team members.
Assist the Team Manager and wider team with client development, training and networking.
Satisfy standards of client care in accordance with guidelines and directions.
Achieve financial and chargeable hours targets.
Comply with relevant rules, policies and procedures.
Keep up to date with legal developments.
Work in accordance with Weightmans’ values.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive. You will be expected to perform other duties falling within the wider remit of the role and to comply with relevant Weightmans and client policies and procedures.
About you
Ideally you will have experience as Solicitor with a genuine interest in the above area of work. As the role is varied, we are looking for you to have a flexible approach to the work you do and be able to adapt to different tasks.
Skills & experience required
* Qualified solicitor (England & Wales) with 4+ years’ PQE.
* Either: demonstrable police claims litigation experience (malfeasance/civil actions against the police).
* Or: Data Protection Act (DPA)/information law experience (e.g., DPA 2018, UK GDPR, FOIA matters within policing).
* Willingness to cross‑train from your current specialism into the other area; full training and support provided.
* Strong litigation experience across pre‑litigated and litigated matters; comfortable with procedural rules, evidence, and advocacy where appropriate.
* Excellent stakeholder management and client‑facing communication skills.
* Ability to manage competing deadlines, maintain accurate MI, and deliver against financial and chargeable hours targets.
* A collaborative mindset: mentoring, knowledge‑sharing, and teamwork.
* High levels of professional judgement, discretion, and resilience when handling sensitive and/or high‑profile matters.
Police Vetting
In addition to the Employment screening (stated below) the successful candidate will be required to complete a Police Vetting before commencing employment. Candidates must meet the Police Vetting Criteria, including the Residency Criteria (7.6.4). This is essential to enable us to proceed with employment. To review the criteria of the APP on Vetting 2021 please click here.
Why work for us
Come and join our award‑winning organisation and team. Weightmans has been recognised as a leading employer for the 19th consecutive year at Britain’s Top Employers awards 2026, and ranking top 10 in the list, the firm has also secured top positions in Chambers UK. Embark on this journey with Weightmans towards becoming one of the Top 30 UK Law firms.
Work for Weightmans: voted a top employer | Weightmans. This link contains information regarding Culture, Benefits, D&I, Recruitment Agency PSL/Non PSL and Eligibility to work in the UK information. Work for a firm where people matter - work for Weightmans.
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