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- Tasks: Lead investigations into serious fraud and corruption, providing legal advice and drafting key documents.
- Company: Join the Serious Fraud Office, tackling complex financial crimes and making a real impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme with additional perks.
- Why this job: Make a difference in high-stakes cases while developing your legal skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified barrister or solicitor with at least 2 years of post-qualification experience.
- Other info: Opportunities for travel and collaboration with international law enforcement agencies.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so you may be shortlisted and invited to interview before the advert closes.
Salary: £58,083 - £67,473
A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Job grade: Grade 7, Band B
Contract type: Permanent
Type of role: Investigations, Legal Services, Operational Delivery
Working pattern: Applications from candidates wishing to work full-time, part-time or with flexible working arrangements (including job share arrangements) will be considered.
Location: The role will be based at our offices at 2-4 Cockspur Street, London, SW1Y 5BS, in central London. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Informal hybrid working arrangements apply and there is an expectation that staff will attend the office regularly. Work pattern and office attendance will be agreed with successful candidates.
About the job:
The SFO investigates and prosecutes the most serious and complex fraud, bribery and corruption, and pursues the proceeds of crime, and compensates victims where possible.
As a Principal Investigative Lawyer, you will have the opportunity to make a significant contribution by providing strong leadership to drive cases forward delivering high quality outcomes by collaborating with a variety of internal and external stakeholders worldwide.
As a Principal Investigative Lawyer, your job will include:
- Providing advice in relation to prosecutions and Deferred Prosecutions Agreements
- Drafting search warrants, attending searches, interviewing witnesses, identifying asset recovery options in tandem with our Proceeds Of Crime team and engaging counsel for trial and disclosure work
- Engagement with overseas law enforcement and prosecuting agencies, with possible travel
- Enhancing your technical skills through working with digital evidence (training to use our software will be provided)
- Drafting case strategy, key decisions, team building and outcomes
- Working on a variety of cases to expand your career experience
Qualifications:
You must be a barrister authorised by the Bar Council to practice in England and Wales OR a solicitor, admitted by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority and authorised to practice in England and Wales with a minimum of 2 years PQE.
Behaviours:
We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits:
- Alongside your salary, the Serious Fraud Office contributes towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
- Generous annual leave provision of 25 days (excluding bank holidays) which increases to 30 days after five years’ service plus an additional day in recognition of the King’s Birthday and the option to buy or sell up to five days’ leave per year.
- Flexible working arrangements and family friendly policies
- Generous maternity and paternity leave provision over and above the statutory entitlements
- 24-hour access to Employee Assistance Programme – a confidential helpline offering advice on legal, financial, personal and work-related issues
- Interest-free loans to spread the cost of an annual travel season ticket or new bicycle under our cycle to work scheme
- Assistance towards meeting the costs of deposits for privately rented accommodation
- Voucher for eye care and discounted spectacles
- Access to a range of savings and discounts offered via the My CPS
- Access to a range of discounts through membership of the Civil Service Sports and Social Club.
Things you need to know:
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
How to apply:
As part of the application process you will be required to provide:
- A CV setting out your career history, covering any relevant qualifications you hold to demonstrate the essential technical requirement.
- A personal statement of up to 500 words that explains how your skills and experience meet essential and desirable criteria.
The candidates shortlisted for the next stage of the selection process will be those who have clearly demonstrated that they meet the essential experience and technical criteria for the role.
If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to sit a short scenario-based assessment to test your legal knowledge and skills. You will also be interviewed to explore the behaviours, strengths, and experience in more depth.
A reserve list of candidates who pass the interview will be in place for 12 months.
If successful, you will be willing to obtain SC level security clearance.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries
- European Economic Area (EEA) nationals with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EEA or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EEA or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant (European Union) EU and Turkish nationals.
Please note that all applicants must supply appropriate right to work documentation and complete a successful practicing body check to ensure there are no findings or conditions relating to their ability to practice Law in the UK.
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Contact point for applicants:
Name: Sellick Partnership
Email: Lauren.Stott@sellickpartnership.co.uk
Principal Investigative Lawyer employer: Serious Fraud Office (UK)
Contact Detail:
Serious Fraud Office (UK) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Investigative Lawyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Serious Fraud Office's recent cases and their approach to investigations. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the SFO, if possible. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which you can leverage during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for scenario-based assessments by practising common legal scenarios related to fraud and corruption. This will help you think on your feet and showcase your problem-solving skills during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your leadership and communication skills in any discussions or interviews. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, so demonstrating your ability to lead and influence will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Investigative Lawyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Principal Investigative Lawyer. Familiarise yourself with the Serious Fraud Office's mission and the specific skills required for this position.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight your relevant legal experience, particularly in investigations and prosecutions. Emphasise your qualifications as a barrister or solicitor and ensure you meet the minimum 2 years PQE requirement.
Write a Compelling Personal Statement: Your personal statement should clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align with both the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the job description. Use specific examples to demonstrate your leadership and communication abilities.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread your CV and personal statement. Check for any grammatical errors or typos, and ensure that your documents are clear and concise. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Serious Fraud Office (UK)
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before your interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of what a Principal Investigative Lawyer does. Familiarise yourself with the Serious Fraud Office's mission and recent cases they have handled. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Since the interview includes a scenario-based assessment, practice answering questions that test your legal knowledge and problem-solving skills. Think about how you would approach drafting search warrants or engaging with overseas law enforcement, as these are key aspects of the job.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Investigative Lawyer, leadership is crucial. Be ready to discuss examples from your past where you've successfully led a team or project. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and influence others, as these behaviours will be assessed during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Use this opportunity to inquire about the team's current challenges or the SFO's future goals. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
