Police Lawyer (Employment)
Location: Based across Evolve Legal Services hubs in Peterlee, Durham HQ, Middlesbrough and Northallerton, with agile and home working options available.
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part time: 18.5 hours per week (working pattern to be agreed but must include Mondays)
Salary: SO1-PO12 (pro rata) £37,020 - £54,595 (pro rata)
Closing Date: 9am 9th October 2026
Role Profile: Police Lawyer.pdf
The Opportunity
Are you an experienced Employment Lawyer looking for a rewarding legal role with real public impact?
Evolve Legal Services (ELS) is a unique legal collaboration delivering professional legal services on behalf of the Chief Constables of Cleveland Police, North Yorkshire Police and Durham Constabulary, alongside the Police and Crime Commissioners for Cleveland and Durham and the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
We are seeking a talented and motivated Employment Lawyer to join our highly regarded Employment Team. This is a fantastic opportunity to work on varied, complex and high-profile matters that directly support policing and public service delivery across the region.
As a Police Lawyer (Employment), you will be responsible for advising on a broad spectrum of employment law matters, providing practical and legally robust advice to managers and stakeholders across the organisation.
Role Responsibilities:
- Conducting Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal litigation.
- Advising on employment law, workforce policy and people-related matters.
- Providing guidance on police regulations, police pensions and business interests.
- Supporting employment-related investigations and, where appropriate, police conduct matters.
- Managing your own caseload with minimal supervision.
- Advising senior managers and organisational leaders on complex employment issues.
- Supporting and supervising colleagues within the team where required.
- Assisting with wider legal work across ELS as operational needs dictate.
This role offers a rich and varied caseload, professional development opportunities and the chance to work alongside experienced lawyers in a collaborative environment.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for qualified legal professionals who are committed to public service and enjoy working with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders.
- A qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEx entitled to practise in England and Wales.
- Experienced in employment law and employment litigation.
- Confident managing a caseload independently and working to tight deadlines.
- An effective communicator capable of advising colleagues at all levels.
- A proactive decision-maker who can exercise sound professional judgement.
- A collaborative team player who can support and supervise others when required.
Experience of employment law within the public sector, police conduct matters or wider civil law impacting policing would be advantageous.
Why Join Us?
Working for the emergency services is both meaningful and impactful. At North Yorkshire Police & North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, we’re committed to helping colleagues reach their full potential in a fair, inclusive, and supportive environment. We value diverse perspectives and actively promote staff wellbeing so everyone can thrive. Please visit our websites to learn more about our organisation.
We’re also proud to provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, work-life balance, and professional growth:
- Local Government Pension Scheme – secure and competitive retirement planning
- Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme – access to affordable vehicle leasing options
- Generous Annual Leave – 24 days rising to 30 with length of service, plus bank holidays
- Health Cash Plan
- Blue Light Discount – enjoy savings at major retailers and services
- Flexi-Time for Staff Roles – tailor your working hours to suit your lifestyle while meeting team objectives
- Access to Trade Union Membership – opportunity to join UNISON
- Inclusion & Diversity Networks – connect with colleagues and contribute to a culture of belonging
- Health & Wellbeing Services – access to resources that support your physical and mental health
To be considered for this role, applicants must meet the following requirements:
You must have the right to work in the UK, with no restrictions on your employment
- Hold a full UK manual driving licence
- Internal applicants must have successfully completed their probation period
- Meet residency requirements for vetting:
o MV Level Vetting – minimum 5 years UK residency
Your Application
North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service are equal opportunity employers. Both organisations are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or within your role, please declare this within your online application. A member of our team will contact you prior to your interview to ensure appropriate support is in place.
While AI can support you with structure, spelling and grammar, your application must still reflect your own genuine skills, experience and achievements, as our selection process checks for authenticity. It’s acceptable to use AI to help with clarity, research, interview preparation and structuring your real‑life examples, provided the information is accurate; however, it must not be used to exaggerate your abilities or generate false or AI‑written responses.
Safer Recruitment
North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Safeguarding is a core part of our recruitment process, and we expect all applicants to share this commitment. All successful candidates will undergo a thorough recruitment process and must obtain satisfactory pre-employment clearances before commencing employment, including satisfactory Vetting or DBS checks, references, and a medical assessment, including absence history. Adherence to our safeguarding policies and procedures is essential.
Ready to Apply?
As part of our selection process, we’ll assess your skills and experience against the requirements of the role. We therefore encourage you to take your time to tailor your application, ensuring your responses align with the job advert and role profile.
We look forward to receiving your online application.
