Revenue Recovery Lawyer

Role location is flexible, but must have the ability to travel to Swindon, Reading, London, Bristol and Plymouth.

Who are we? GWR is the proud custodian of Brunel's railway - one of the most prestigious networks in the world. We have some of the newest trains in the country and exciting plans to extend our services. With more than one hundred million passenger journeys each year, we carry people to over 275 stations in the South West, from Cornwall and South Wales to London, passing through beautiful country and some of the UK's top tourist destinations. We are transforming the way people think about train travel, empowering our team of over 6,000 people from all different backgrounds to make it a great experience for our customers. Together, we will revalue rail as a very special way to travel – relaxing, fast, efficient, friendly and fun.

About the team: You will be a part of the successful Revenue Recovery Department. This department sets the standards for the frontline teams and provides support with the delivery of key business objectives including the prosecution of fare evasion, and fraud offences, and litigating civil money claims in relation to ticketless travel on the GWR network.

About the job: As a Revenue Recovery Lawyer, you will be at the forefront of our work – instituting criminal and civil litigation, conducting trials, appeals and in the magistrates' and Crown Court across the GWR network. You will also be at the forefront of our work in litigating civil money claims through the civil courts across the GWR network. You provide verbal and written advocacy in prosecutions ranging from simple fare evasion to fraud. Presenting cases clearly and persuasively to help us deliver justice and protect the taxpayer investment in UK passenger rail services.

Your main responsibilities:

• Taking the appropriate action to secure legally sound convictions against persons who defraud the company.
• Ensure that the best interests of Great Western Railway are always the priority in your decisions.
• The preparation, institution of and presentation of GWR journey related fraud and fare evasion cases to the criminal and civil money claims courts.
• Making decisions based on the evidence and public interest whether legal action should be instituted or discontinued.
• Providing written legal advice/decision when required.
• Representing GWR in Magistrates and Crown Court.
• Representing GWR in contested Civil Money Claim Courts.
• Compliance with the Legal Services Act 2007.
• Case prioritisation to prevent loss occurring through statutory time limits expiry.
• Compliance with both the Criminal and Civil Procedure Rules, the Criminal Justice and Single Justice Processes, and Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996.
• Ensuring that revenue lost from fraud and fare evasion is recovered in the most cost-effective manner possible.
• Direct liaison with Her Majesties Court and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) and the lawful administration of court cases through the arranging of dates for court hearings as well as the service of legal process upon defendants and respondents.
• Maintain and manage all case records in accordance with the law and case management system requirements.
• When required, researching legislation, case law, judicial opinions, statutes and regulations in connection with GWR associated activity.
• Providing written briefs of opinion and advice.
• The professional assessment of all situations where GWR business and/or reputation may suffer disproportionately.
• You are expected to use discretion where appropriate and act to prevent this happening.
• Informing the Head of Revenue Protection Development as soon as practicable, of any statement, criticism or direction given by the courts, which may affect the Revenue Protection policies or strategies of this company.
• Ensure your personal safety and that of others.
• Adhere to the policies of Great Western Railway.

You’ll need to be:

• Legally qualified: You must be an authorised person as defined within the Legal Services Act 2007 qualified solicitor or barrister, hold a valid Practising Certificate for England and Wales.
• Academic: You must have a law degree, Common Professional Examination and/or Graduate Diploma in Law.
• Professional: You must have completed a Legal Practice Course, Solicitors Qualifying Exam or Bar Professional Training Course and the relevant pupillage and training contract – or have received full exemption from the relevant professional regulatory body, either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board.
• Or You must be a Fellow of CILEx and a CILEx Advocate/Litigator holding all three advocacy certificates providing you with a ‘general qualification' within the meaning of s.71 (3) (c) Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. You must have a right of audience in relation to any class of proceedings in any part of the Senior Courts, or all proceedings in county courts or magistrates' courts to meet the requirements for a Revenue Recovery Lawyer. Equivalent qualifications will not be accepted.

As a minimum you’ll need to have:

• Working knowledge of the Criminal and Civil Procedure Rules 2020 (and any superseding legislation).
• Knowledge of Railway Byelaws.
• Knowledge of Penalty Fare Regulations 2018 (and any superseding legislation).
• Knowledge of Regulation of the Railways Act 1889 offences.
• Knowledge of Fraud Act 2006 offences.
• Knowledge of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
• Understanding of Great Western Railway Revenue Protection and Anti-Fraud Strategy.
• Understanding of GWR On Train revenue protection activity.
• Understanding of the principles of the Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996.
• Understanding of the Single Justice Process.
• Understanding for the need to ensure that your actions are proportionate, legal, accountable, and necessary.
• An understanding of different types of train tickets is desirable but not essential.

About the location: As this role will be responsible for attending courts across the GWR network, we are flexible with the location. However, the ability to travel to Swindon, Reading, London, Bristol and Plymouth will be required.

Working Pattern: Most days will be 9 to 5, however due to the nature of the job and the geographical spread of the courts GWR attends you will need to be flexible and at times work late, or early depending on the location in relation to your home address.

The Reward: As well as a great team environment and comprehensive training, all GWR colleagues enjoy a range of benefits including on-going development, defined benefit pension scheme, free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family, company-sponsored health care plan, discounted shopping and gym membership and an employee assistance programme.

We all belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment. We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent. We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive. We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details. If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.