Staff - Lawyer in Northampton

This is an exciting opportunity to join this newly formed, growing in-house Legal Team. Every day this rewarding role brings new and interesting opportunities whilst delivering a comprehensive legal service.

The Legal Team supports the delivery of legal services to Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service and Northamptonshire Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

The purpose of this role: To provide comprehensive legal advice, representation and advocacy across a broad range of operational matters. We are seeking an Operational Lawyer to join the newly established, growing in-house Legal Services Department at Northamptonshire Chief Constable, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service and Northamptonshire Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. This is an exciting opportunity to undertake a diverse and rewarding legal role.

As part of our dedicated legal team, you will:

• Deliver comprehensive legal advice across a wide range of matters.
• Represent the organisation in proceedings and hearings.
• Manage a complex caseload with minimal supervision.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external counsel.
• Stay ahead of legislative changes and case law developments impacting policing and fire services.

Your role includes advising on and conducting advocacy in relation to the full range of civil preventative orders, including Sexual Risk Orders, SHPO, Closure Orders and Stalking Protection Orders. You will provide legal advice and support on the broad variety of operational matters including POCA, firearms license appeals, judicial reviews, public order and general police powers.

What We’re Looking For:

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of CILEx (with full advocacy rights).
• Experience of handling a complex caseload, advising on a wide range of matters.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Advocacy experience within the court system.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in policing, fire services, or public sector.
• In-house legal experience.
• Knowledge of police-related legislation and civil preventative orders.

The role offers a rare opportunity to develop across a wide range of practice areas in a varied and challenging role, and to make a real impact in a fast-moving environment.

Why work for Us? Northamptonshire Police has real heart. We’re a county force tackling big-city issues, and everyone in our policing family, from frontline officers to police staff, has a part to play in serving our communities by fighting crime and protecting people. If you want an exciting career that offers variety, job satisfaction and the chance to develop and challenge yourself, while improving the lives of others, and all within an organisation that’s forward-thinking and innovative, you’ll find it with us.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion: We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are working hard to increase diversity and inclusion within the organisations where communities are under-represented, including those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, people of all ages, abilities, faiths, religions and gender, LGBTQ communities and those from other disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds, who share our values and wish to make a difference to the communities we serve.

Northamptonshire Police/OPFCC is a Disability Confident Employer – We aim to achieve the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. If you meet the essential criteria for the role you can choose to share your disability if you would like to take part in our disability confident interview scheme. All applications will be treated on merit, based on the evidence provided in your application and suitability for the role you have applied for. All requests for flexible working patterns will be considered and will be dependent on the role.

Recruitment and Selection Policy: Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the selection process, will be offered the role over the remaining internal and external applicants. Internal applicants must have line manager support prior to proceeding with an application.

Please be aware that the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Northamptonshire Police are separate employers. Although Police internal vacancies are open to OPFCC staff and vice versa, if you are successful, the change of employer will require a longer onboarding process and you will receive a new contract and payroll number. Service with either employer can be carried over as continuous service.

Police Barred and Advisory lists: Individuals placed on the Police Barred and Advisory lists will not be considered for employment by the Police and OPFCC for a minimum of 5 years from the date of listing in the case of gross misconduct, or 3 years from the date of listing in the case of poor performance.

Vetting and safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and operate safer recruitment processes, to ensure the organisations employees are proud to work for because they feel safe, valued and part of a happy and supportive work environment. All employees and volunteers therefore will be subject to background checks including vetting and references.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to referral to disciplinary action.

Please note, you will require the following detail to complete this application form; NI Number, ID detail, address information, referee information, full employment history including dates and any qualifications you may have attained. You may also be requested to provide photos of any visible tattoos you have. The application system only remains active on a single page for a period of 60 minutes. Please therefore ensure you allow time to complete this fully as part complete pages will not be saved.