Civil Litigation Lawyer - Hybrid

The Legal Services Directorate of Avon and Somerset Constabulary is offering an exciting opportunity for a lawyer who has a real interest in pursuing a career in an in-house police legal team. The team provides legal advice on a broad range of legal issues to the whole organisation including employment matters, civil litigation, civil injunctions and inquests. Applications are invited from all legal backgrounds as experience of policing, whilst advantageous, is not required.

This is a full time position.

We are looking for an individual who can offer an outstanding service and has a particular interest in civil litigation. You must show enthusiasm and aptitude for this area of work. You will manage and organise a caseload of pre litigated and litigated civil work under the supervision of the Senior Lawyer. Claims will involve Employer s Liability, Road Traffic Collisions and Public Liability claims arising out of contact with the police. Experience in dealing with Inquests and Judicial Review is desirable but not essential.

We are a team which favours a strong skillset and enthusiasm over experience, and you will be provided with the appropriate support to enable you to expand your existing knowledge, skills and experience. If you are eager to take the next step in your career and work in an inclusive environment, in a developing area of law where no one day is the same, we would welcome your application.

In this role, your main responsibilities are likely to include:

• Investigating and case-managing pre-action and litigated civil claims.
• Providing legal advice and guidance on all civil matters to the Chief Constable identifying legal and reputational risk.
• Representing the Chief Constable at Court hearings, Tribunals and within mediation and settlement meetings.
• Assisting the Senior Lawyers and Senior Leadership Team in the provision of legal advice and guidance.

Skills, Experience and Qualifications required:

• Must be a qualified solicitor with rights of audience in England and Wales
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to make applications to court
• A comprehensive knowledge and understanding in at least one of the following: ECHR, Civil Procedure Rules, Criminal Law and knowledge of the principles of obtaining civil preventative orders, knowledge of employment Tribunal matters and Police Misconduct Regulations
• Previous experience of handling contentious matters generally
• Ability to manage and organise own workload effectively
• Ability to act under pressure and respond quickly to changing and conflicting demands
• Demonstrate good team player skills
• Good computer literacy skills including experience of common Microsoft packages
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills

What we can offer you:

A package of financial, lifestyle and health benefits to support whatever stage of life you're in, including:

• Flexible working
• Continuous professional development
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance scheme offering help through counselling services, legal advice, fitness advice, personal coaching and health assessment
• Staff discount scheme for savings on shopping, days out, sporting events, holidays
• In our Headquarters in Portishead, you ll have access to a 24 hour gym, on-site Costa Coffee shop and beautiful grounds.

This role is blended therefore you will be able to work from home the majority of the time, however, you will need to attend court as required within the Avon and Somerset Police area. Please note that your secondary location will be Police & Fire HQ, Valley Road, Portishead, North Somerset, BS20 8QJ which you will be required to attend regularly.

To be eligible to apply for this role you must have a 5 year checkable history in the UK ideally this means that you would have been resident in the UK for the last 5 years.

Please see attached the job description for further information. If you would like more information about this opportunity,; or you feel you do not meet all of the required skills and experience, please contact . We would be delighted to hear from you!

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter outlining why you would like this role and how your experience aligns with what we're looking for to quoting vacancy number 6808.

Avon and Somerset Police encourage flexible working where operationally possible.
This role has been identified as a blended role.

The successful candidate for this role will have the opportunity to work from home whilst also at a secondary work location, which will be a police premises. The successful applicant will have the option to discuss working arrangements with their line manager. All applicants must reside within the UK.