Regulatory Lawyer
Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.
Regulatory Lawyer
The Regulatory Lawyer will provide legal advice and representation under the general direction of the Director of Joint Legal Services (JLS). As a Solicitor, you will work collaboratively with a variety of clients, colleagues and other stakeholders to provide a comprehensive legal service to the Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner for both Staffordshire and West Midlands Police.
Your primary responsibilities will involve advising on all stages of disciplinary proceedings including preparation of cases for accelerated misconduct hearings, advocacy (where required at those hearings), drafting of charges and advising the professional standards department on strategy, risks and disclosure. You will also handle inquest files including regular engagement with the Coroner, Coroner’s officers, Counsel and attendance at pre-inquest review hearings and inquests.
Responsibilities:
- To advise and provide representation (including advocacy where required) in relation to legal proceedings and hearings before the relevant Courts & Tribunals
- Preparation of files for inquest including statement preparation, disclosure and advising on high profile cases and Article 2 issues
- Instruction of Counsel and preparation and attendance at misconduct hearings
- Work with external legal services (including Counsel) where necessary
- Provide timely legal advice to all clients as required and advise on public order matters
- Carry a complex case load providing advice and advocacy as required
- Drafting legal documents
Experience and Qualifications
- Professional legal qualification (or expected within the next 3 months) as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive
- Experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Police discipline/misconduct
- Public inquiries and/or inquests
- Public Order
- Any other regulatory work
Interviews:
Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 6th August and possibly Thursday 7th August.
Vetting:
Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Security Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.
Medical:
Appointment to this role may be dependent upon successfully completing medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.
West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.
It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.
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