At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on complex regulatory matters and lead investigations and prosecutions.
- Company: Join the Care Quality Commission, dedicated to improving health and social care in England.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, training opportunities, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Inclusive culture promoting diversity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in health and care while enjoying flexible working options.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with at least five years of legal experience.
The predicted salary is between 55172 - 61028 £ per year.
Home-based in the United Kingdom or office-based at our London or Leeds offices, with hybrid working also available.
About Us
We’re the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and we work to improve health and adult social care in England. We have a purpose to regulate health and adult social care, work together with the public, systems and providers of care to protect people, and to promote and improve quality of care. Our vision is to see everyone receiving safe, effective and compassionate care. We’re committed to listening, acting, informing and protecting the public, helping providers and systems of care to improve and innovate, ensuring our people feel valued and do great work, and working together with partners who share our purpose for better care. One of our main commitments is to become a truly inclusive organisation and to role‑model a diverse and representative culture. To do so, we work with a variety of networks, including the Disability Equality Network, Race Equality Network and LGBT+ Equality Network.
The Benefits
- Salary of £55,172 (National Framework) or £61,028 (London Framework if you are London office-based or home-based and live within the boundary of the M25).
- There is also a £600 annual homeworking allowance for full-time homeworkers and an annual Recruitment and Retention Allowance of £2,500.
- Annual leave starting at 27 days per year, rising to 32.5 days with service, plus bank holidays (usually 8 days per year).
- Training and development opportunities.
- Wellbeing initiatives, such as gym discounts and meditation.
- NHS pension scheme, with around 14% employer contribution.
- Discount schemes (including eligibility for a Blue Light card, at a cost of £4.99 and valid for 2 years), reward vouchers, car leasing and more!
Why this could be a great role for you
This is a fantastic opportunity for a high‑calibre, qualified lawyer with experience of criminal litigation, prosecutions, inquests or regulatory enforcement work to join our vital national organisation. With genuine flexibility, you’ll be enabled to work from home anywhere in the UK, work from one of our offices, or combine the two through hybrid working. Through these options and the potential of compressed hours, we are focused on helping you achieve a healthy balance between your career and personal commitments. What's more, you'll benefit from excellent professional development opportunities, a highly competitive pension scheme and a supportive environment where your expertise and contribution will be valued.
What you will bring
- Qualifications as a solicitor, barrister or legal executive in England and Wales.
- At least five years’ professional legal experience, including managing caseloads and advising on complex legal matters.
- Experience handling legal proceedings, including presenting cases in the criminal courts, coronial settings or a background in regulatory enforcement work.
- Experience leading or supporting colleagues while applying knowledge of investigations, prosecutions or public law to solve complex problems.
What you’ll be doing
As a Senior Lawyer, you will provide expert legal advice and support across a range of complex regulatory matters, helping ensure our decisions are fair, lawful and focused on protecting people who use health and care services. Working closely with colleagues across CQC, you will lead legal work on investigations, prosecutions and inquest cases, providing practical advice and helping shape legal strategies that support effective regulatory and enforcement activity. You will also play an important leadership role within the team, supporting colleagues through supervision and coaching. Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders, you will help to ensure Legal Services continues to deliver high‑quality, consistent support across the organisation.
Next steps
If you require any support or assistance with the recruitment process, please get in touch with our team or include a note in your application. We know diverse teams allow for a more creative and productive environment and therefore encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, gender/sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
Senior Lawyer (Criminal) - Litigation, Prosecution & Inquest Team in Leeds employer: Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an exceptional employer dedicated to improving health and adult social care in England. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and employee well-being, we offer flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and extensive professional development opportunities. Our supportive work culture values your expertise, ensuring you can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the quality of care provided to the public.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Lawyer (Criminal) - Litigation, Prosecution & Inquest Team in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the CQC and understanding their mission. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals in health and social care. This will demonstrate your genuine interest and commitment to their cause.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Focus on articulating your experience in criminal litigation and how it relates to the role. The more comfortable you are discussing your background, the more confident you'll appear during the actual interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Lawyer (Criminal) - Litigation, Prosecution & Inquest Team in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Lawyer role. Highlight your experience in criminal litigation and any relevant cases you've handled. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at CQC!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Senior Lawyer, you'll be leading and supporting colleagues. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership experience and how you've coached or mentored others in the past. We value collaboration and support within our team!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to complex legal matters!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at CQC!
How to prepare for a job interview at Care Quality Commission
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of criminal litigation, prosecutions, and inquests. Be prepared to discuss specific cases you've handled and how they relate to the role. This shows you're not just familiar with the law but can apply it effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Lawyer, you'll be expected to lead and support colleagues. Think of examples where you've successfully guided a team or mentored others. Highlighting these experiences will demonstrate your capability to take on a leadership role within the organisation.
✨Understand CQC's Mission
Familiarise yourself with the Care Quality Commission's purpose and values. Be ready to discuss how your legal expertise aligns with their mission to improve health and adult social care. This shows that you're genuinely interested in the role and the impact you can make.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready for your interviewers. Ask about their current challenges in legal matters or how they envision the role evolving. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.