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.
About the role
Civil Litigation Lawyer - (Joint Legal Services)
Are you an experienced Civil Litigations Lawyer looking to apply your expertise within a public service environment?
As part of Joint Legal Services, you'll provide expert legal advice and representation across a broad range of civil litigation matters, supporting both West Midlands Police and Staffordshire Police. You'll manage a varied and complex caseload of claims made against our clients, including false imprisonment, misfeasance, malicious prosecution, wrongful arrest, Human Rights Act claims and the associated risk management issues.
Working as part of a collaborative legal team, you'll represent the organisation in legal proceedings where required, work alongside external Counsel and provide clear, pragmatic legal advice to clients and stakeholders. This is a varied opportunity for a lawyer who enjoys managing complex cases, building trusted relationships and applying their expertise in a role which contributes to public service.
Key responsibilities
As Civil Litigation Lawyer, you'll:
- Provide specialist legal advice across a varied and complex civil litigation caseload.
- Manage civil claims, including matters involving false imprisonment, misfeasance, malicious prosecution, wrongful arrest and associated risk management issues.
- Advise and provide representation, including advocacy where required, in proceedings and hearings before relevant Courts and Tribunals.
- Draft legal documents and provide clear, timely legal advice to clients.
- Instruct and work alongside external legal services, including Counsel, where appropriate.
- Manage a complex caseload independently, providing advice and advocacy as required.
- Work collaboratively with lawyers, support staff, clients and other stakeholders across Joint Legal Services.
- Build effective working relationships while delivering a responsive, professional and high-quality legal service.
Who we're looking for
You'll be someone who enjoys working through complex legal issues and providing clear, pragmatic advice that enables confident decision-making. You'll be comfortable managing a varied caseload, balancing competing priorities and building trusted relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. You'll communicate complex legal matters in a clear and accessible way and take pride in a delivering professional, client-focused legal service.
You'll also bring:
- Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive.
- Experience handling complex and high-profile legal work with minimal supervision.
- Sound analytical skills and judgement.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the credibility to work with senior clients.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Experience using case management or similar systems.
Experience within a public sector in-house legal environment, Judicial Reviews or Higher Rights Advocacy would be advantageous, although not essential.
Why join us
Working within Joint Legal Services offers the opportunity to apply your legal expertise to complex and varied civil litigation matters that support policing across West Midlands and Staffordshire. You'll work alongside experience legal professionals in a collaborative environment, managing high-quality legal work while continuing to develop your own knowledge and expertise.
We offer agile working, with the ability to work from home where appropriate, alongside opportunities to build a rewarding legal career within public service.
Selection Process
The selection process for this role will consist of the following elements:
- Initial application
- Shortlisting
- In-person interview
Closing date: Sunday 13th September 2026, 23:59
Interview date: W/C Monday 28th September 2026
Important Information
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 will be dependent upon you successfully passing medical checks, which may if required include a drugs and hearing test.
Additional Information
Location: Lloyd House and Staffordshire Police Head Quarters
Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00-16:00, Hybrid working.
Contact: For further information please contact Careers@westmidlands.police.uk
Benefits Statement
By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:
- Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme.
- Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements.
- Discounts across travel, parking, daily costs of living and leisure activities.
- A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support, free eye tests and flu jabs
- Comprehensive benefits including pension, Blue Light Card, and employee assistance programme.
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.
"Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities"
