Staff – Senior Legal Advisor x 2 posts

Salary £47,496 – £53,928 per annum

Job reference REQ0000801

Closing Date 10th July 2023

Following a recent review, the Constabulary’s Legal Services department has been re-structured and two exciting opportunities have arisen for Senior Legal Advisers to join the team.  We are recruiting two full-time permanent Senior Legal Advisers, and applications are invited from experienced solicitors, barristers or legal executives.

The work of the Department is complex, diverse and fast paced and we are looking for two lawyers to assist in leading the team with a “can do” attitude, who are resilient and can lead a team of legal personnel.

As one of two Senior Legal Adviser Team Leaders you will play a key role in supporting the Director of Legal Services manage the department and be responsible for managing, supervising and guiding a team of Legal Advisers and paralegals dealing with a portfolio of legal matters on behalf of both the Constabulary and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

The two roles will be responsible for different legal portfolio work, which will be shared between the roles and are likely to be rotated between the roles.  The two main portfolios to be split between the roles will be:-

  • Operational policing work focusing on many of the civil injunctive orders open to the Constabulary (the main focus will be on safeguarding work including Domestic Violence Protection Orders, Stalking Protection Orders, Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, Proceeds of Crime Act applications, Family Court disclosure work, other Civil Orders in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court and County Court and Firearms licencing and,
  • Litigation work which will focus on civil claims, both Public and Employer liability, Employment Tribunal work, Judicial Reviews and Inquests.

The wide range of challenging and sensitive matters, arising from any aspect of our caseload could include high-profile investigations, civil litigation, regulatory law, public law challenges, inquests, employment law, information law and operational policing matters including the many civil injunctive orders, police officer misconduct and regulatory work, personal injury litigation, commercial, procurement and governance. As well as assisting in guiding and managing a team, you will be responsible for your own caseload of complex matters.

You should be an experienced solicitor, barrister or legal executive with extensive post qualification experience.  You will have the credibility to manage a team and lead them in their work; to deal successfully with senior clients within the Constabulary and Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner; have a proven track record in dealing with both contentious and advisory work and dealing with high profile, novel and complex cases; and to work collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team to achieve the aims and objectives of department and the Constabulary.

We need you to have excellent interpersonal, negotiating and influencing skills; demonstrate you can work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines; and have a good knowledge and understanding of police law or display an aptitude to learn this.

You will be an enthusiastic, resilient and flexible individual with analytical, communication and organisational skills. You will be a strong team player with experience of advocacy and excellent research skills. Knowledge of Police related legislation would be advantageous but training will be provided, particularly if this is a new area of work for you. If you want an appealing new challenge, supporting Cumbria Constabulary in keeping Cumbria safe, this could be the role for you.

Whilst our roles can be demanding and require work which needs to be delivered quickly, sometimes at short notice, we will work to ensure that you are able to achieve the right work-life balance.

Alongside a competitive salary, the Constabulary actively supports work-life balance through the provision of a generous flexible working scheme. In addition, a comprehensive package of employee benefits is available including:

  • Access to the local Government pension scheme,
  • Generous annual leave entitlements,
  • Access to our internal Occupational Health and Wellbeing Department, to enhance and protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of all our staff through fostering a culture of support and respect.

The role is based at Cumbria Constabulary HQ in Penrith, with an expectation to attend the office each week, however the department embraces agile working so there is also the opportunity (subject to the demands of the role) to work from other police locations and remotely (including from home).

For more details and to apply on line go to

https://cumpoli.webitrent.com/cumpoli_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC105GF.open?WVID=192313ANJy