Lawyer - Enforcement in Belfast

1 Full time position 1 Maternity cover fixed term contract up to 12 months position Full time / Part time Salary: £57,815 - £65,021 pa, with potential for further progression to £73,211 pa with our pay progression scheme.

Location: Hybrid Contracted to our Wilmslow, London, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast office, however, we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need. Please note that from Autumn 2026 our head office will be relocating from Wilmslow to Manchester city centre.

Why work for the ICO?

• Pay progression scheme.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays.
• Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days leave per year).
• Pension (employer contribution around 28.9%).
• Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.

Job summary

The Lawyer will work within the ICO Legal Service (Enforcement), providing legal advice to support civil regulatory enforcement action under the UK GDPR, DPA 2018 and PECR 2003. The post holder will work alongside other lawyers in the team. The post holder will provide legal advice, and forge partnerships with other areas of the organisation to achieve consistency of approach, efficiency and the delivery of high quality, timely and risk-based solutions.

Job description

The Lawyer will act in accordance with directions given by Principal Lawyers and Legal Directors, under the overall supervision of the ICO’s General Counsel. They will support with legal research and providing advice as to the appropriate legal position in civil investigations, including working closely with the investigators on cases. The Lawyer will also assist with case management activities such as scheduling legal reviews, managing documents and ensuring an accurate record of decision making on investigations. Post holders will work with their legal colleagues to ensure that learning and development across the ICO Legal Service is shared and developed collectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on high priority, complex civil regulatory enforcement matters including issuing monetary penalties.
• Effectively and efficiently support a caseload of complex civil enforcement matters, adding value to the wider operations and influence of the ICO.
• Provide legal advice in areas of responsibility by being conversant with all relevant legislation and ICO policies, as well as supporting with developing strategy and thinking on novel and complex legal issues.
• Participate, on behalf of the ICO, at meetings and events (including court/tribunal hearings as appropriate) where legal representation is required, some travel including overseas may be required.
• Identify opportunities and risks to the ICO’s operations and reputation and make recommendations for improving the ICO’s legal risk management of its own regulatory compliance as well as that of external sectors/organisations.
• Engage with colleagues across the organisation on important legal issues related to civil enforcement cases.
• Contribute to the development of colleagues in the ICO by preparing or delivering in-house training as required.

Person specification

Essential criteria assessed at application stage

• Applicants must be qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales or, in respect of Applicants qualified in a jurisdiction outside of England and Wales, must have an appropriate equivalent professional qualification and may be required to undertake the Solicitors’ Qualifying Examinations (or apply and be granted an exemption of one or both parts) within a defined period.
• Current practising certificate (or entitlement to obtain one) from the Law Society or Bar Council.
• Experience of regulatory enforcement work or equivalent experience of complex contentious work or the ability to quickly develop skills in this area.
• Experience of information law and/or the ability to quickly develop skills in this area.
• Experience of providing strategic legal advice in a regulatory environment including knowledge of public law principles and/or the ability to quickly develop skills in this area.

Essential criteria assessed during interview

• Excellent legal analytical and research skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex legislation to particular situations and to engage in debate about these issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to draft complex legal documents including provisional and final decisions (including notices of intent, enforcement notices and monetary penalty notices).
• Understanding of the regulatory environment and the public sector generally including the democratic, political and organisational framework of a regulator.
• Ability to seek out, manage and influence opportunities for continuous improvement and change.
• Personally effective – excellent organisational skills, ability to prioritise and delegate.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference. We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together with a number of staff networks. Read more about our commitment on our website. Candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy will be invited to interview as part of the ICO’s commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme.

Closing Date

Please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your suitability to the role by 23:59 on Sunday 22nd February 2026. Please note that the highest‑scoring candidate at interview will be offered the permanent position for this role with the next highest‑scoring candidate offered the fixed‑term contract position. We reserve the right to close this vacancy before this date should we receive sufficient applications. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.

Clearance Required for this role: