Principal Legal Officer in Belfast

The Principal Legal Officer's role is to provide a specialist in-house legal advice service to the Director of Legal and Information Services, Chief Executive, Police Ombudsman, the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and their internal clients. They represent the Office of the Police Ombudsman (the Office) and have conduct of proceedings before courts, inquests, tribunals and inquiries. The Principal Legal Officer will manage and provide legal advice on a range of high profile, high value and legally complex matters which raise novel legal issues that are politically sensitive. They also advise key corporate clients of the Office. In this role, they work at a senior level to manage contractual, employment and commercial issues on behalf of the Office.

Core Responsibilities

• To provide comprehensive, thoroughly researched, accurate and timely legal advice to the Director of Legal and Information Services, Chief Executive, Police Ombudsman and their officers.
• To provide legal advice on all aspects of legislation pertaining to the statutory functions of the Office of the Police Ombudsman, in particular the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (as amended) and subordinate regulations.
• To provide comprehensive legal advice relating to civil litigation associated with policing matters.
• To conduct legal research including the use of electronic and other resources to provide authoritative advice on unfamiliar areas of law at short notice.
• To review and make recommendations for future legislative changes to improve the statutory foundation of the functions of the Office.
• To deal with a range of civil litigation work, from inception to conclusion at all court levels, including discovery of documents.
• To conduct legal proceedings by or against the Office for example judicial review proceedings, civil claims and employment proceedings.
• To manage casework within litigation, policy development and provide operational legal advice to all staff.
• To respond to all internal legal requests filtered through the Senior Investigation Officers (SIOs).
• To represent the Office at court hearings of all levels and other forums such as inquests, public inquiries and tribunals.
• To instruct and appoint legal counsel as appropriate.
• To deal with a range of court applications before courts, inquests, tribunals and inquiries, whilst assessing and advising on the legal, financial and reputational risks of pursuing matters through the courts.
• To design, review and implement protocols and memoranda of understanding with key stakeholders.
• To draft, review and provide legal advice on governance and operational guidance and consultation submissions on legislative change.
• To be responsible for maintaining and developing professional interface with legal bodies such as Public Prosecution Service, Coroners Office, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Crown Solicitors Office, Departmental Solicitors Office and the Information Commissioners Office.
• To provide line management and developmental support to junior legal, disclosure and administrative colleagues as required to include reviewing legal advice prepared by junior legal colleagues.
• To manage legal and non-legal staff, including the setting of and monitoring of performance objectives and signing off their work.
• Liaise with and manage contractual relationships with external legal advisers, managing provisions in respect of each case and monitoring provisions in line with the legal budget, to include liaising with Finance.
• To identify training needs and drafting and delivering tailored training courses to be delivered to relevant staff across the organisation to meet business needs and ensure all staff are aware of legislative changes which impact on the delivery of operational matters.
• To deputise for the Director of Legal and Information Services as and when required.
• To maintain membership of the relevant professional body (the Bar of Northern Ireland or the Law Society of Northern Ireland), undertake sufficient and relevant training, and act in accordance with the applicable code of conduct in the discharge of their duties.
• To regularly participate in or lead teams to deliver corporate and organisational objectives.
• To comply with all of the Office's staff policies and procedures including the need to promote equality of opportunity.
• To manage information and records in accordance with established policies and statutory requirements.
• To commit to the values, ethics and service standards that underpin the work of the Office.
• To carry out such duties as the Office may reasonably deem appropriate to the grade.

Essential Criteria

• Be a qualified solicitor or barrister licensed to practice in Northern Ireland and hold a current practicing certificate or be in a position to become so entitled by the date of appointment.
• Have at least 3 years post qualification experience (PQE) of advising, orally and in writing, on significant complex legal issues to include evidence of the following:

• Interpreting legislation and legal documents
• Demonstrating legal analytical ability and sound judgement in the resolution of complex legal problems; and
• Communicating with clients with clarity and confidence.

• Judicial review proceedings
• Coroners inquests
• Inquiries
• Criminal proceedings

Shortlisting

Should shortlisting be used, the following additional criterion will be applied: At least 3 years PQE in providing legal advice in 3 of the following areas:

• Constitutional law
• Administrative law
• Human Rights law
• Criminal law
• Data protection and information law
• EU/assimilated EU law
• Employment law

The Recruitment Process

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit. Only information contained in the application form will be considered at the eligibility sift and shortlisting stage (if required). Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered. Failure to provide sufficient information in support of an application prior to the closing date will not be considered as grounds for an appeal if an applicant is not shortlisted for interview. Application forms will be reviewed against the Employee Specification by the selection panel.

Remuneration

The role is equivalent to a Grade 7 in the Northern Ireland Civil Service grading scale. The salary for the post is in the range of £61,673 to £64,469. Starting salary will be £61,673 with progression in the salary range determined by performance in the post and subject to the review process agreed by the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

How do I apply?

If you want to apply under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme simply complete the declaration form attached to the application form.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please complete and submit the application form by clicking in the apply button. Please note that CVs cannot be accepted as part of your application. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 4.00pm on Friday 15th May 2026.