Police Claims Solicitor

Our Emergency Services team is one of the largest in the UK. Our approach is focused on solving our client's legal problems as quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. We are brand leaders in services for police forces, with in-depth expertise in all types of claims, operational advice, inquests and court advocacy. We have considerable experience in handling sensitive and/or high profile claims and are equally skilled in handling the media attention that these cases sometimes attract. Our specialist practitioners act exclusively for the police service, representing a diverse range of forces across England and Wales. As the largest dedicated police legal team in the country our lawyers have been involved in some of the most high profile and significant cases involving the police service over the last 15 years.

We are recruiting for a Solicitor 0-3YR PQE to join our national Casualty Police Claims team in Leicester, Liverpool or Manchester. Acting on behalf of various police forces you will effectively manage and run a caseload of pre-litigated and litigated claims as well as assisting other fee earners.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Specialise in acting on behalf of various police forces, claims handlers and insurers in the defence of civil actions against the police.
• Manage a caseload of pre-litigated and litigated civil ‘malfeasance’ claims (such as false imprisonment, trespass, malicious prosecution, and Human Rights Act claims) as well as employer’s liability claims.
• Assist the Team Manager and other team members with client development, client training and networking.
• Support and mentor junior members of the team.
• Liaise with various parties such as other solicitors, insurers, experts, counsel and clients.
• Control diary and action lists and complete client MI procedures.
• Attend court hearings, including conducting your own advocacy where appropriate.
• Satisfy standards of client care in accordance with guidelines and directions.
• Achieve financial and chargeable hours targets.
• Comply with relevant rules, policies and procedures.
• Keep up to date with legal developments.
• Work in accordance with Weightmans’ values.

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and you will be expected to perform other duties and have other responsibilities that fall within the wider remit of the role. You will also ensure that you comply with the relevant Weightmans and client policies and procedures, and consistently work in accordance with our values.

About You:

You will be a qualified solicitor or legal executive. We also require you to have:

• Preferably, experience in defending civil claims although candidates who have claimant experience will also be considered.
• Ability to undertake advocacy as required.
• Knowledge of the CPR and litigation.
• Knowledge of police law (desirable but not essential).
• Ability to work to strict deadlines and targets.
• Ability to work as part of a team or on own initiative.
• Flexible approach to work and a willingness to travel.

If you meet our criteria and think this is a job where you could bring enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn, then we look forward to receiving your application.

Please Note:

In addition to the Employment screening, the successful candidate will be required to complete a Police Vetting before commencing employment. Candidates must meet the Police Vetting Criteria, including the Residency Criteria. This is essential to enable us to proceed with employment.

Why work for us:

Weightmans is a Top 40 law firm with offices throughout the UK. Having been recognised as the leading legal employer and 10th overall employer at the annual Britain's Top Employers awards 2024 and achieved record rankings in Chambers UK. We are proud to be an accredited living wage employer. We are truly committed to fostering a culture of equality and diversity, where everyone in the firm is respected and recognised on merit for the work that they do. We strongly encourage applications from people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations and disabilities.

As well as being immensely proud of the work we carry out for our clients and the culture we provide to our people we offer a wide range of benefits including:

• 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rated for part time).
• Hybrid working including provision of home office equipment.
• Pension plan.
• Life Insurance 4 x salary.
• Employee Assistance Programme including counselling, legal and consumer advice service.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Offers & discounts.
• Great reward and recognition scheme.

We encourage candidates to speak to us direct/apply direct for the opportunities we have available. The successful candidate appointed to this role will be subject to our standard background checking process, and any offer of employment made is conditional upon successful completion of those checks. Further details can be obtained from the Recruitment team. We are open to part time/job share applicants.