Senior solicitor

Political restrictions

Under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 this post is politically restricted. A politically restricted post prevents an individual from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace and will automatically be disqualified from standing for or holding elected office. They are also restricted from canvassing on behalf of a political party or a person who is or seeks to be a candidate, and speaking to the public at large or publishing any written or artistic work that could give the impression that they are advocating support for a political party.

Role details

Department Legal Services – Leek Wootton – Permanent, Full Time – Grade/scale I – CVF level 2

To provide legal advice and representation to Warwickshire Police officers and staff on a range of operational matters, including litigation and advocacy (including Magistrates, County and Higher Courts). You will be responsible for the conduct of a range of legal matters, including operational advice, civil preventative orders, civil litigation, police property law, civil disclosure, applications in the family court regarding disclosure and judicial reviews.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide timely, comprehensive legal advice across a wide range of practice areas including operational matters and civil litigation.
• Manage own caseload and court commitments.
• Support and represent the Force at legal hearings including Magistrates, Crown, County Courts and Inquests and other Tribunals as required.
• Attend meetings as required, promoting productive working relationships with other teams, departments and external stakeholders, including external agencies, courts and tribunals and other partners.
• Ensure compliance with the In-House Claims Handling Agreement in place with insurers on civil claims, maintain reserves and notifications, and contribute to insurance audits to maintain a positive relationship with insurers.
• Maintain professional standards under the Police Code of Ethics and the SRA/Bar Council and undertake Continuing Professional Development.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the nature, level of responsibility and grading of this post, as required.

Special conditions

• Post has been designated as ‘Politically Sensitive’ under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
• Requires travel across the force area and to court, as required.
• Includes some exposure to disturbing/unpleasant images or tasks (e.g. Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and Sexual Risk Order applications and Inquest work).
• Advocacy.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Qualified solicitor with practising certificate for England and Wales or Barrister, with at least 5 years post‑qualification experience.
• Law Degree.
• Rights of Audience.
• Knowledge of a range of legal disciplines, including:
  • Police operational law
  • Some criminal law
  • Information Management
  • Proceeds of Crime Act (forfeiture and account freezing orders)
  • General litigation
  • Civil litigation: significant knowledge and experience in the conduct and management of public liability claims (unlawful arrest and false imprisonment, assault/battery, malicious prosecution, misfeasance, Human Rights) and the Civil Procedure Rules.
  • Police Conduct Regulations.

Experience

• Significant experience of advising on a wide range of legal matters.
• Demonstrable experience of advocacy skills.
• Experience of problem solving.
• Experience of managing and prioritising own caseload within a legal team environment.

Key Skills

• Exceptional communication and influencing/negotiating skills, including strong advocacy and presentation skills.
• Able to deal with conflict to reach a satisfactory resolution while maintaining strong working relationships.
• Ability to work calmly and professionally under pressure and to tight deadlines, demonstrating a flexible and agile approach.
• Ability to use own initiative and work largely unsupervised.
• Excellent problem‑solving and decision‑making skills and demonstrable professional judgement.
• Ability to mentor and develop others within the team.
• Competent in the use of IT, including Microsoft packages.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Warwickshire Police are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We are working hard to increase diversity and inclusion within the Constabulary, where communities are under‑represented, including those from minority ethnicity communities, people of all ages, abilities, faiths, religions and gender, LGBTQ+ communities and those from other disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds, who share our values and wish to make a difference to the communities we serve. All applications will be treated on merit, based on the evidence provided in your application and suitability for the role you have applied for.

Vetting and safeguarding

Warwickshire Police are committed to safeguarding and operate safer recruitment processes, to ensure a police service that employees are proud to work for because they feel safe, valued and part of a supportive work environment. All employees and volunteers will be subject to background checks including vetting and references.