Senior Lawyer (Civil Claims)
As Senior Lawyer (Civil Claims), your key responsibilities include providing comprehensive litigation services, advising on civil claims, managing claims and costs, and ensuring compliance with force policies and budgetary controls.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide advice on all aspects of litigation in accordance with relevant legislation, case law and force policy ensuring that the organisational and reputational risk of the Force is minimised.
- Manage and advise on civil claims, including Allard claims, made against the Chief Constable in accordance with the delegated authority given by both the PCC and the Chief Constable.
- Make decisions on the Force's liability for claims and, where appropriate, settle claims and costs (including Allard claims) up to the limit of the delegated authority.
- Provide representation and advice in relation to inquests involving the Force.
- Monitor expenditure on civil claims and report on a timely basis to the Chief Constable on any financial issues, including the relationship between current expenditure and the stop‑loss figure under the Force's insurance policy (£2 m).
Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years of qualification as a solicitor.
- Knowledge of police law and experience in litigation and managing a litigation team.
- Experience liaising with insurers.
- Ability to work unsupervised and plan/organise personal work and that of the team.
- Ability to identify key issues in all areas of the legal work and management.
- Ability to analyse data on claims and to manage, supervise and support the team.
- Experience of reporting and presenting to senior leaders within the Force; identifying areas of change.
Benefits
- 26 days’ leave (increasing to 30 days for 5+ years of service) plus 8 bank holidays.
- NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme.
- Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave.
- Flexi‑time, allowing you to fit your working hours around your individual needs.
- Flexible working options such as compressed hours.
- Agile working – option to work from home, your team zone, and spaces across the force.
- Market‑leading public sector pension scheme with up to 16 % employer contribution.
- Corporate travel schemes – discounts on local rail, bus services and metro.
- Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers.
- Discounts on shopping and eating out via the Blue‑Light Card and Blue‑Light Tickets.
- Paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on‑site, and an employee advice service.
- Access to gyms in some stations.
- Sports & Social Club – join a thriving sports scene and enjoy exclusive discounts on days out and travel.
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
- Opportunity to volunteer in the local community.
Equal Opportunities
We are a Disability Confident Employer and a member of the Business Disability Forum. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace and encouraging applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
