JUSTICE (London) – Criminal Policy Lawyer

JUSTICE is looking to recruit a new Criminal Policy Lawyer to join our policy team. This is a permanent post although there are options for fixed term positions on request (minimum of 12 months), for example if someone is seeking a period of time off from practice but envisages returning. This provides an exciting opportunity for a practising lawyer with a strong research background keen to engage in high-level policy and law reform work.

We are looking for a lawyer mainly interested in criminal justice, as well as in cross-cutting issues affecting the functioning of the justice system (current cross-cutting projects include work on the state of the rule of law in the UK and AI, human rights and the law in the justice system). The JUSTICE team are currently working in a hybrid manner. Staff members have access to office space in London. Attendance is currently non-compulsory, but staff based within a reasonable distance of the office are encouraged to attend at least once a week.

Our staff enjoy flexible working conditions, 27 days annual leave plus a wellbeing day, a birthday day, and the days between Christmas and the New Year off, 8% employer pension contribution and access to an Employee Assistance Programme. JUSTICE is at the forefront of work promoting access to a fair criminal justice system for all.

The successful candidate will be building on our recent work on racial injustice in the youth criminal justice system and post-conviction decision making including the parole system and administrative decision making in prisons as well as our cross-cutting workstream on the state of the rule of law in the UK. They will also be scoping and setting up a new criminal justice project relating to fraud.

We would like to recruit a bright, motivated person who is passionate about criminal justice system reform, the promotion of access to justice and fair trial. The successful candidate must be able to work independently and as part of a team. With excellent interpersonal skills, they will be able to work closely with JUSTICE members, who include senior figures in the legal profession.

The post holder will work with our Deputy Legal Director to further develop our criminal justice work stream and assist on system-wide proposals for change. This role is focused primarily on England and Wales, though it will touch on UK wide issues and Scottish criminal justice system from time-to-time.

Please do not submit answers to the questions by email; they will not be considered. The deadline for applications is 13 July 2025. Interviews will be held during the week starting 28 July 2025. Candidates may be required to complete a test as part of the interview process.

JUSTICE is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, but particularly welcome applications from individuals from marginalised groups, those with lived experience of the justice system, as well as those underrepresented in the legal profession including women, people of colour, trans and non-binary people, and disabled people. Please note that we will not respond to any enquiries from recruitment agencies.