Lead for Litigation

The Parole Board is an independent court‑like body that is responsible for carrying out risk assessments on prisoners to determine whether they can be safely released into the community. We do that with great care and public protection is our top priority.

The Board is made up of about 190 members of secretariat staff based in our Inner London Head Office and nationally and approximately 320 Members who make decisions on risk and hold hearings at prisons around the country. The Parole Board is an executive non‑departmental public body, sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. Staff who work for the Parole Board Secretariat are Public Servants and not Civil Servants.

About the role: An exciting opportunity has arisen to be part of the Legal and Policy Hub. The Hub provides legal support and advice to the Parole Board secretariat and membership. It also plays a key part in the transparency agenda which the Parole Board is committed to and is responsible for providing practice advice and guidance to its members. The Lead for Litigation is a fast‑paced and interesting role, with responsibility for leading the Litigation Team which handles public and private law claims against the Parole Board.

The work of the Parole Board is always evolving and requires individuals to work effectively within the organisation, and with stakeholders, to ensure that processes are workable and fully compliant with the law. The post line manages one HEO role (Litigation Paralegal) and reports to the Head of Legal and Policy.

What you will do:

• Work collaboratively on a variety of interesting areas of litigation at the Parole Board.
• Manage and/or contribute to discrete projects or other time limited initiatives.
• Work closely with senior stakeholders, judicial, independent and specialist (psychologist/psychiatrist) Parole Board members, and colleagues at all levels.
• Work with external stakeholders, such as Criminal Justice agencies and the Government Legal Department.
• Work in an environment of continuous improvement.
• Manage business critical and high profile workstreams.
• Lead day‑to‑day oversight and management of the Litigation Inbox.
• Sift/allocate and (possibly) respond to pre‑action letters.
• Manage and assist with complex litigation queries and requests for information, including requests for disclosure of Parole Board decisions.
• Manage a caseload of private law claims with the Government Legal Department.
• Assist the Head of Legal and Policy and Director of Legal and Policy with legal queries and their judicial review caseload.
• Assist in development of policy and guidance.
• Manage and respond to requests and directions for transcripts of Parole Board oral hearings, in line with Parole Board policy.
• Assist with financial provisions relating to compensation claims.
• Oversee the Litigation Paralegal, ensuring HR processes are followed, performance is managed and learning and development needs are met.
• Facilitate individual and team performance and development.
• Undertake projects and lead on delivery of priorities as identified by the Head of Legal and Policy.
• Role model leadership, management and professional behaviours in line with the Parole Board’s vision, values and Success Profiles.
• Contribute to the Business Plan, other Hub strategies, and appropriate organisational and corporate policies and strategies.
• Attend national and regional meetings and events which may require occasional travel and overnight stays.
• Manage the Parole Board’s reputation through the efficient, effective and high‑quality progression of litigation matters, ensuring factual and legal accuracy and compliance with the law.
• Work closely with other Parole Board staff and members to develop positive working relationships.
• Represent team interests as required and appropriate at meetings at an operational and strategic level.
• Conduct weekly meetings with the Litigation Team Leader.
• Deal with member/complex queries as escalated by the Litigation Team Leader.
• Allocate tasks to the Litigation Team Leader where required.
• Attend Senior Leadership Team meetings as required.

Essential requirements:

• A practising certificate (or an equivalent) allowing you to practise as a solicitor, barrister or legal adviser.
• Experience in communicating with internal and external audiences; excellent communication skills with the ability to relay complex information in a simple, digestible format at all levels.
• Excellent analytical skills to understand complex legislation and other technical information.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to adapt to change.
• Skills in building good working relationships and networks with internal and external contacts.
• The ability to understand and interpret legislation and policy documents.
• Experience in using Microsoft programmes.
• Ability to work well within a team.

Desirable requirements:

• Previous working experience in legal work, such as experience working as a paralegal, legal or litigation officer.
• Any professional qualification related to law.

Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Check.

Benefits:

• Flexible working system in many offices. Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week.
• Part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns are considered in accordance with the Parole Board’s Flexible Working policy.
• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years’ service.
• Scheme to buy or sell up to three days leave each year; optional public holiday and 1 privilege day. Leave for part‑time and job‑share posts calculated on a pro‑rata basis.
• The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
• Extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Access to employee‑run networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and LGBTQ+ employees.
• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

National and International Eligibility:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals and certain family members of Turkish nationals who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Reserve list: A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.