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Lawyer – Operations and Legislation

Employer
Highways England
Location
Guildford, Surrey
Salary
£47,304 - £54,400
Closing date
23 Jun 2018

View more

Practice area
Public law, Regulatory
Contract type
Permanent
Hours
Full time
PQE
2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 6 years
Position
Solicitor
Sector
Public sector/Charities

Lawyer – Operations and Legislation

Guildford

Full or Part Time

£47,304 - £54,400

About Us

Highways England are responsible for operating, maintaining and improving England’s motorways and major A roads. Over recent years, investment in our highways has increased, this has led to advances in technology, such as smart motorways; enabling traffic to flow better. However, even more is yet to be done. Considering that a third of all traffic, two thirds of heavy goods vehicles, and 98% of UK businesses rely on them, and you can see why our roads, and what we do, matters so much.

It’s an exciting time to begin a career with Highways England as we invest £11 billion in our motorways and A Roads boosting capacity, tackling congestion and improving safety which is why we’re so grateful to our c 4,500 employees around the country. At the same time, we’ll improve how we work. That means we will be able to; plan roadworks better to minimise disruption; clear incidents more quickly; and save more than £1 billion by working more efficiently. When you work with us, you're helping to connect communities, sustain business and support the economy.

For further information on Highways England, please visit our website: www.highwaysengland.co.uk

Highways England General Counsel’s Office is a highly regarded, friendly and supportive team of lawyers, trainee solicitors, paralegals and support staff, headed by the General Counsel Tim Reardon and reporting directly to the Chief Executive.

The role

Our initiatives transform major roads, create new infrastructure, revolutionise traffic flow and improve the customer experience. These initiatives and the processes behind them raise many diverse and varied legal challenges.  To meet these challenges, Highways England is seeking to appoint an Operations and Legislation lawyer to its in-house legal team based in Guildford on a permanent basis. Highways England has a flexible working policy and we may be able to offer flexible working conditions and/or a part-time working pattern to the successful candidate

The Operations and Legislation lawyer will be required to advise on all operational matters and work with other teams within Highways England to provide the business with legal support and advice.   This is a diverse role and an excellent opportunity to work on a range of legal issues across the business.

This is an exciting and fast moving position which would suit an advisory lawyer, with a public law background looking to develop their legal skills and work alongside project managers on company initiatives. 

Day to Day

As a member of the General Counsel Directorate, to advise and work closely with the Operations Directorate, and other business directorates on all legal matters arising, including;

•Providing advice to the Traffic Officer Service on Traffic Management Act 2004 powers, day to day legal operational issues and health and safety matters.

•Providing advice on health and safety matters arising within the business and within our supply chain, including serious incidents on the network.

•Provide advice on changes to business policies and procedures to meet our constitutional obligations and discharge our public duty. 

•Advising Programme and Project Managers on scheme specific legal issues arising, for example the Smart Motorways Programme.

•Advising the Regional Orders Teams on Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 order queries, complex orders and legal challenges. 

•Providing advice to the business on legal issues arising with the day to day operation of the strategic road network, for example signage, temporary events, litter, road closures, unlawful trading, trespass, new design concepts and road trials.

•Provide advice on proposed changes to legislation that will impact on the strategic road network, for example connected and autonomous vehicles.

•To provide legal advice as required to the internal Counter Fraud team and on any police investigation that may affect the business.

•To assist our specialist lawyer with coronial law matters and inquests.

About you

Essential criteria;

•You must be a qualified to practise as a Solicitor or Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales.

•Strong academic background.

•An ability to:

o               be versatile and able to advise in relation to a broad spectrum of legal issues.

o               communicate effectively.

o               build and maintain effective relationships with relevant colleagues and teams within Highways England.

o               work as part of a team.

o               use initiative and work with minimal supervision.

o               bring sound judgement and practical solutions to problems.

o               prioritise work and work to strict deadlines when required.

o               Understand the role of Highways England.

Desirable criteria:

•Experience of advising on all aspects of public law, ideally in an in-house environment. 

•Good working knowledge of highways legislation; Highways Act 1980, Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, Traffic Management Act 2004 and statutory interpretation.

•Some health and safety legal experience or knowledge.

Applying

So we can really get to know you and what you can offer please include a CV with your application. You’re also encouraged to include a covering note explaining how you're a great match for us: so please tell us how your skills, experience and qualifications meet both the role, and Highways England, requirements.

All candidates will be required to provide valid proof of Right to Work in the UK and ID at interview.

We’re expecting this role to be popular, so we may need to close the advert early if response is strong so to avoid disappointment, please apply as soon as possible.

Help keep England moving. We look forward to hearing from you.

Closing date: 11 June 2018.

 

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