Assistant Force Solicitor

Employer: North Wales Police
Location: Colwyn Bay, Conwy
Salary: £51,252 – £ 54,660
Closing date: 21 Aug 2024
Practice area: Advocacy, Civil mediation and dispute resolution, Crime
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full time
PQE: 4 years, 5 years, 6 years, 7 years+
Position: Barrister, Solicitor
Sector: Public sector/Charities

As a Solicitor in the legal department to provide Chief Constable and the North Wales Police Force (including both officers and staff) with a comprehensive legal service.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Your primary responsibility will be to defend the organisation against civil claims, pre and post litigation, from members of the public, internal officers and staff. These claims can relate to anything from GDPR, wrongful arrest, assault, malicious prosecution, human rights claims and much more. You will need to be flexible with the needs of the force as this is a fast-paced environment with changing priorities. You will also be required to assist in the following areas:

Conduct of contracts for the sale or purchase of goods and equipment on behalf of the North Wales Police Force to/from other organisations.
Conduct and negotiation of conveyancing transactions on behalf of North Wales Police, including sale and purchase of land and buildings, leases, licences (e.g. police posts in line with the force objective to provide policing in the community), rights in land (e.g. acquisition of rights of way/boundary disputes)
Research and advise on legislation and government proposals which impact and determine North Wales Police policy; interpretation and application of criminal and civil law; new or existing procedures and protocols adopted by the Force; impact of government guidelines/new law on operational matters; court procedures.
Formulate policy on behalf of the force, e.g. disposal of seized property (assists internal administration and prevents claims); risk assess and classify areas of information to be advertised in leaflets publishing civil orders granted against (crime prevention and detection strategy).
Raise awareness of mechanisms available and formulate action plans or participate formulating protocols with other agencies/organisations on behalf of the force, e.g. Anti-social behaviour forums/Multi Agency Protection Panel to ensure joined up service between various agencies involved in strategies to prevent antisocial behaviour/sex offences.
Represent the force in legal actions commenced against it by negotiation or through court procedures including the following:-
Civil Injunctions, Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, Football Banning Orders, Firearms Appeals, Police (Property) Act matters, debt recovery, third party disclosure proceedings; public interest immunity proceedings, licensing and public entertainment licensing matters.
This involves analysing evidence, identifying issues, facilitating compromise between parties, or if not issuing proceedings, summonsing witnesses, attending pre-trial reviews, assessing whether hearing requires expert witness reports/briefs to barristers/conduct hearings, liaising with/presentation of case to members of the public, witnesses, expert witnesses, their solicitors, barristers, clerks to the court, judges. The post holder will also travel to courts throughout the North Wales area, Chester and Warrington, and working outside normal office hours where necessary.
Assist North Wales Police and Community Trust (charity) in relation to its constitutional affairs and powers (drafting deeds and advising).
Disseminate information to the North Wales Police Force e.g. by organising seminars and publication of written matter using internal procedures.
Liaise with press, e.g. advice to press office, press releases, advice as to how to present a case to the press e.g. disclosure of personal details of suspects or offenders to the public, publicity/counter-claim to allegations against the police in, for example, speeding campaigns.
Represent the department at forums and conferences with commercial organisations/charities/local authorities/other forces, provide feedback to line managers and implement action where necessary, e.g. sale (or otherwise) of radio communication sites, as they become surplus to requirements owing to new government schemes/attend police lawyers’ conferences to identify trends/obtain feedback on national issues for the police (e.g. data protection/Soham) etc.
Deputise in the legal department in the absence of manager on annual leave, etc; e.g. authorising expenses, permitting time off, managing human resources issues at local level, etc.
Executive decision in relation to outsourced solicitors’ actions in the absence of manager on annual leave, providing feedback on line manager’s casework in their absence, etc.
Requisition and authorise cheques to be sent out; and checking authorise invoices to be paid.
Ensure practising certificate remains in force, e.g. by acquiring continuing development points.
Ensure keep abreast of latest developments in law and legal practice.
To complement the service being provided by the Force Solicitor in the provision of a comprehensive legal service to the Chief Constable of North Wales Police.
Promote and comply with North Wales Police policies on equal opportunities and health and safety both in the delivery of services and the treatment of others.
Any other duties commensurate with the salary and grading as directed.

MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR THE ROLE:

The role requires applicants who can demonstrate (with evidence) skills in the following areas:

Admission/Call as a Solicitor/Barrister/FILEX
Holder of a current practising certificate
Previous experience (e.g. at least four years) post qualification
Ability to communicate effectively with Police Officers, members of the public, court staff and officials and the press.
The post holder will be required to travel to cover the Force area and the North West Region.

HOURS OF DUTY:

Your normal hours of work are 37 per week from Monday to Friday exclusive of refreshment breaks.

WELSH:

The level of Welsh skill required for this position:

Verbal, Level 3, Converse partly in Welsh

Written, Level 3, Informal e-mail and internal memo

Please note that full support will be provided to achieve Level 3 in work time.

NOTES:

1. This Job Description and Person Specification IS NOT a statement of all the detailed procedures and conditions applicable to the post holder. Therefore there will always be instructions in addition to those outlined that meet the work demands and natural evolvement of the Department/Division at any particular time.

2. Any of the detailed duties and responsibilities may also vary in accordance with point 1 above without changing the character or level of responsibility the post entails.

3. The Chief Constable reserves the right to transfer the post holder to any other location within the North Wales Police area following consultation with the Staff Side in accordance with Force Policy applicable at the time.

To apply please visit https://jobs.lawgazette.co.uk/job/976124/assistant-force-solicitor/