At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a skilled legal team and provide expert legal advice to support policing.
- Company: Join Cambridgeshire Constabulary, a dynamic and inclusive police force.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days leave, a pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community safety and influence legal outcomes.
- Qualifications: Legally qualified with experience in litigation and advocacy.
The predicted salary is between 87741 - 108435 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and motivated lawyer to lead a small, skilled legal team and play a key role within the force’s senior management team. As our Head of Legal Services, you’ll be at the heart of supporting policing across the county, providing comprehensive and expert legal advice and representation to officers and staff on a diverse and fascinating range of issues. Covering both operational policing and litigation, no two days are the same.
Key Responsibilities
- Civil claims such as wrongful arrest and property damage
- Obtaining civil orders to protect vulnerable people, including those relating to stalking, sexual offences, and modern slavery
- Closure orders on premises linked to crime or serious nuisance
- Employment law advice and tribunal representation
- Police conduct and disciplinary matters
- Public law issues including inquests, firearms licensing appeals, information law, and judicial reviews
You will also contribute to organisational learning by keeping the force up to date with new legislation and case law, ensuring continual improvement arising from cases and claims.
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking a legally qualified professional with experience handling various types of litigation and undertaking advocacy. This role provides an opportunity to genuinely influence outcomes and support safer communities.
Location and Working Arrangements
This position is based at Police Headquarters in Huntingdon, with flexibility for some remote working. The site is accessible by public transport and offers free on‑site parking. Travel will be required to police premises, partner organisations, and courts across Cambridgeshire, with occasional travel within the collaborated forces of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
Benefits
- 28 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Sick pay provisions
- Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave entitlements
- Option to become a member of onsite unions
- Discounts from various retailers via the Blue Light Scheme
- Access to on‑site gyms
- Cycle to work scheme
- Agile working (role dependent)
- Flexible or part‑time working considered
- Employee Assistance Programme offering free and confidential counselling, financial, and legal advice
How To Apply
Your CV should explain why this role aligns with your skills, experience, and professional background on the application form, and include clear evidence against the following two competencies: We analyse critically and We take ownership. You will have two spaces to provide this information, each allowing for a maximum of 500 words. Anything over 500 words will not be submitted by the system.
If you have any queries, please contact the recruitment team. To discuss the role in more detail, please contact Sharon Lewis.
Assessment & Interview Information
Candidates successful at shortlisting will be required to undertake a presentation as part of the interview process. Interviews will be held week commencing 11th May 2026.
Additional Information
All internal applicants must have successfully completed their probationary period. Internal applicants within Cambridgeshire Constabulary should upload a CV or provide relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications in a Word/PDF document. This vacancy is open to those at risk of redundancy and will remain open to redeployees until the conditional offer stage. Redeployees will take priority throughout the recruitment process and will remain on their home force’s terms and conditions if appointed.
Disability Confident Commitment
As a Disability Confident leader, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where police officers and staff feel respected, valued, and able to be themselves. Workplace adjustments will be provided wherever needed. If you have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role, you will be entitled to an interview under the ‘Offer an Interview Scheme’.
Head of Legal - Cambridgeshire Constabulary employer: Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Contact Detail:
Cambridgeshire Constabulary Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal - Cambridgeshire Constabulary
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Cambridgeshire Constabulary on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and help us stand out in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that presentation! Since it’s part of the interview, we should practice explaining our legal expertise and how it aligns with the Constabulary's needs. Use real-life examples to showcase our skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the latest legal trends affecting policing. Being up-to-date will not only impress during interviews but also show our commitment to supporting safer communities through informed legal advice.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we can tailor our submission to highlight how we analyse critically and take ownership.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal - Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Legal role. Highlight your relevant experience in litigation and advocacy, and don’t forget to showcase how you’ve taken ownership in past roles. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Be Concise and Clear: You’ve got a maximum of 500 words for each competency, so make every word count! Be clear and concise in your explanations, providing specific examples that demonstrate your critical analysis and ownership. We appreciate straightforward communication.
Show Your Passion for Policing: This role is all about supporting safer communities, so let your passion for policing shine through in your application. Share why you’re excited about this opportunity and how you can contribute to the force’s mission. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and ready to embrace the digital age of applications. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridgeshire Constabulary
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key areas of law relevant to the role, such as civil claims, employment law, and public law issues. Being able to discuss recent cases or legislation will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also passionate about the field.
✨Prepare for the Presentation
Since you'll need to give a presentation during the interview, take time to create a clear and engaging narrative. Focus on how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of the Head of Legal Services and be ready to answer questions about your approach to legal challenges.
✨Demonstrate Critical Analysis
The role requires strong analytical skills, so prepare examples that showcase your ability to analyse complex legal issues critically. Think of situations where you've had to assess risks or outcomes and how you took ownership of those decisions.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a leader in a small legal team, it's essential to demonstrate your leadership style. Be ready to discuss how you've motivated teams, managed conflicts, and contributed to organisational learning in previous roles. This will help convey that you're the right fit for the senior management team.