Solicitor / Senior Solicitor

Role: Solicitor/Senior Solicitor (Senior position only offered depending on PQE, skills, experience etc of successful candidate), The Legal Services Department provides legal advice and representation to both Humberside Police & South Yorkshire Police, as Solicitor/Senior Solicitor you will be responsible for:

• Investigating and managing a caseload of challenging and sensitive pre-litigated and litigated civil claims involving Public Liability, Employers Liability, RTC's, Unlawful Arrest and False Imprisonment and Judicial Review proceedings.
• Attend Court hearings, mediation, and settlement meetings, including conducting your own advocacy where appropriate.
• To be responsible for the provision of legal advice to the Chief Constable and the Police & Crime Commissioner and to report to the Principal Lawyer & Head of Legal Services on all matters which incorporates the management and strategic direction of the litigation.
• To work with the Principal Lawyer in the establishment and co-ordination of robust performance management systems for the litigation team to include the drafting of reports to the senior stakeholders and potential changes and improvements to business processes, structures, and cultures within the litigation team.
• The term 'Satellite litigation' will include but be not limited to the following additional areas of law relating to litigation: liaising with the IOPC, where appropriate, on misconduct related matters relating to the reporting of historic discipline issues; handling all data protection claims, enquiries, challenges, and linked tribunal proceedings. Additional public law challenges such as Judicial Review and linked tribunal proceedings and ongoing Insurance Litigation and Inquest proceedings.
• Provide written advice on any aspect of the law relating to the Police Service including the implication of legislative changes and the adoption of new training and operational policies relating to the claims and any satellite litigation relating to Police Law.
• Advise on matters relating to the disclosure of information in civil proceedings including public interest immunity and confidentiality ensuring compliance with legislation, Case Law, and Force Policy where it relates to litigation and any satellite issues., Legal Services is a specialist legal practice, providing for all of the legal needs and requirements of both Humberside Police and South Yorkshire Police (including OPCC's). As a matter of course, all work (both legal and administrative) is undertaken wherever possible in-house and any outsourcing is at the discretion of the Head of Legal Services.
The work undertaken by Legal Services can be summarised into 5 specific areas - Employment, Court & Discipline, Civil Litigation, Commercial and Inquiries & Inquests, with staff based at both locations. The 5 main areas of work are: (a) Employment Law: advice and representation before tribunals in respect of claims for discrimination and pay equality by police officers and police staff, together with unfair dismissal and other contractual claims in relation to the latter. Police Regulations: advising on all aspects of the Regulations and the Police (Pensions) Regulations, assistance with medical appeals, forfeiture and applications to the Crown Court and responding to judicial review. (b) Court & Discipline: corporate, proactive and policy advice, including advising on such issues to ensure compliance in relation to administrative law and the Human Rights Act, and dealing with judicial reviews of decisions. Operational Policing: anti-social behaviour orders, dispersal notices, closure orders, sexual offences prevention orders, domestic violence protection orders, violent offender orders, injunctions to prevent forced marriages, football banning orders, dangerous dogs, cash seizures under the Proceeds of Crime Act, liquor and public entertainment licensing, firearms legislation, public order policing advice on police powers under, for example, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, advice in relation to terrorism, civil contingencies and the police use of firearms. Police conduct: advice and representation in respect of police misconduct before Force misconduct panels and appeals to police appeals tribunals. (c) Civil Litigation: claims against both Forces for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, misfeasance, malicious prosecution, accidents at work, damage to property, occupational stress and road accidents, and the risk management issues arising there from. (d) Commercial: commercial law and conveyancing: providing advice in connection with the procurement of goods and services, commercial contracts, the sale, acquisition and leasing of premises, collaborative or joint ventures and commissioning. (e) Inquiries & Inquests: advice and representation in relation to public inquiries - national and local - and in relation to inquests.


• Solicitor/Barrister/Legal Executive (Fellow).
• Legal qualification to degree level or equivalent.
• Detailed knowledge and advocacy skills of law and practice in at least one of the following areas: civil law.
• Detailed Knowledge and experience of litigation and an understanding of ECHR, Civil Procedure Rules.
• Experience in the conduct of report writing to include provision of financial reserves.
• Ability to manage a diverse caseload which is high risk and complex, providing clear and legally sound advice.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to deal with all ranks of officer, support staff and external agencies.
• Ability to use professional judgement to make accurate decisions relating to legal matters. Ability to assimilate large amounts of information and make appropriate evaluations in order to recommend a course of action.
• Manage the allocation of legal caseloads and staffing resource.
• In accordance with financial and insurance regulations approve settlements within their approved amounts.
Skills and experience as documented in the role profile need to be evidenced in your application to be considered for interview., Applicants must meet the minimum requirement checkable history criteria, which must be taken into account for individuals applying to work with South Yorkshire Police in any capacity. A minimum checkable history of 5 years is required for this role and successfully undergoing recruitment vetting procedure is a pre-requisite of employment with South Yorkshire Police.

South Yorkshire Police is committed to developing working practices which assist staff to balance their personal and professional lives, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation. This in turn enables South Yorkshire Police to provide an outstanding service to the community., South Yorkshire Police is a busy, full spectrum police force which enjoys all of the opportunities and challenges of some of the countries' largest forces with the supportive culture and family feel of some of the smaller forces. We have a preventative and problem-solving approach with a focus on dealing with the issues which matter most to our communities, supporting them to thrive. This allows us the capacity to focus on the issues which cause them greatest harm.

We offer generous entitlements and supportive policies to enable a better work-life balance, some of which are listed below:
• A highly competitive salary and access to a generous pension scheme
• Generous annual leave allowance
• A wide range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
• Flexible working arrangements including flexi0time and hybrid working.
• A transparent and collaborative team culture underpinned by our core values of Fairness, Integrity & Trust
• Comprehensive range of development and leadership courses to develop your career with South Yorkshire Police
• Employee Assistant Programme (accessible 24/7) offering confidential support and advice.
• Flexible lifestyle benefits such as: Blue Light Card, Company Shop, Cycle to work scheme.
• Committed to embedding sustainability.
• Membership to the Sports and Social Club
• Access to a wide range of staff support groups and networks