The Legal team is an integral part of Companies House. The team is currently made up of six members (the Head of Legal, three Legal Advisers and two support staff). The advertised post will report to the Head of Legal. This is an exciting opportunity to join us as we are at the early stages of the transformation of Companies House. Good quality legal advice is going to be at the heart of our journey of change.

The legal issues faced are varied and can be complex, novel and fast paced. The expectation is that the legal service is high quality to meet those issues. Our lawyers provide advice to colleagues on the interpretation and application of legislation and guidance on the full range of Companies House work; particularly for operational, policy and digital teams. If a legal challenge is made the lawyers deal with it and, as appropriate, engage the litigation group in the Government Legal Department. Our lawyers work with internal policy colleagues to shape and implement central government legislative proposals that impact Companies House. Legal support is also given to enforcement activity including prosecuting directors for failing to deliver accounts and/or confirmation statements and, as appropriate, referring other cases to prosecutors in the Insolvency Service. The lawyers also provide legal awareness and training sessions for non-lawyer colleagues.

Job description

• To give high quality, accurate and timely legal advice and guidance on a range of policy, legislative and operational matters to colleagues across Companies House.
• To give legal advice and support to policy colleagues on proposed changes, supporting the analysis of the potential impacts on Companies House, its processes and systems and to give legal support to the subsequent implementation of any change.
• To give legal advice and support to the Transformation agenda.
• To draft documents e.g. Registrar Rules, Fees Regulations.
• To advise on litigation arising from the functions of the Registrar or the Secretary of State that are carried out at Companies House e.g. judicial review and liaising with Government Legal Department and Counsel as appropriate.
• To attend hearings at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court to prosecute directors for failing to deliver accounts or confirmation statements There are generally two hearings each month and two Legal Advisers will share this activity.
• To review other suspected breaches of the law and decide whether to refer to the prosecutors in the Insolvency Service.
• To provide training and support to Companies House colleagues, as required, on relevant legal issues.
• To work collaboratively by building effective relationships and engaging with colleagues in Companies House and, as appropriate, officials and lawyers across government.
• To delegate to and support, as appropriate, the Legal Business and Change Manager and Legal Secretary. Line management responsibilities are rotated between the Legal Advisers.
• To take an active wider corporate role in Companies House’s Leadership Team.

Legal Advisers get varied work and need to be flexible as to the work and responsibilities they undertake from time to time.

Most staff are currently working from home and this is likely to be the case until mid-2021.

However this role is based at our main Cardiff office. Although we are still working on what our "new" normal will be, it is likely that you will be expected to attend the Cardiff site when required to allow ongoing support and development and to allow you to collaborate with your colleagues.
 

Responsibilities

We are looking for an exceptional lawyer that meets the following criteria:

• A lawyer with strong intellectual and analytical skills that can deliver sound legal judgement.
• You must have an appreciation of legal risk and the ability to find legally sound solutions that factor in the wider context.
• A lawyer who will be able to tailor advice so that it is appropriate and comprehensible to the audience and situation.
• Someone that is able to develop effective relationships with a range of colleagues and be committed to delivering excellent timely legal services to meet the needs of Companies House.
• A flexible lawyer who can deal with and prioritise competing demands successfully.

Technical Legal Skills

• Reliable legal judgement and appreciation of legal risk.
• Ability to analyse complex legal issues, using all available legal resources and evidence.
• Ability to produce timely and fit for purpose advice.
• Ability to apply legal skills to new or unfamiliar areas of law.

Academic
Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in their first degree (in any subject). Where an applicant holds an overseas degree qualification this should be an equivalent to a 2:1 degree. Companies House will consider applicants who do not have a 2:1 degree but only where satisfactory evidence of equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement can be provided.

Professional Qualifications
Applicants must be qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales i.e. having completed a training contract or pupillage.

About us
Our aim is to be the best registry in the world achieved through brilliant people working on brilliant systems delivering brilliant services. We are currently delivering an organisation wide transformation programme focussing on a complete redesign of our digital services, target operating model and culture. This change will need different skills, capabilities and mindset where adaptable, bold and curious behaviours are the norm and empowerment is encouraged and utilised.

Companies House values its people, their contributions and has created a real sense of community where people seek to create strong connections. Our commitment to learning and development is exceptional, and we believe passionately in the employee experience with is prevalent through the engagement, wellbeing and development strategies which have resulted in Gold Investors in People and MIND index awards.

We encourage professional development, celebrate success and live our values to effect real change.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Everyone in Companies House brings something different, and so will you.

The future focused culture in the Legal team at Companies House is something in which we take huge pride. With visible leadership and the commitment to being actively involved in driving change, we are placing ourselves at the centre of the Companies House transformation.

We are proud to be a disability confident employer. Our recruitment process is fully inclusive of all physical and mental disabilities and as such we can make adjustments as needed through our process. These could include having an interview buddy, extra time at interviews/assessments and receiving interview questions prior to interview, to name a few. We will be happy to discuss any niche and person-centred adjustments, please contact the Infopoint team by emailing infopoint@companieshouse.gov.uk

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Apart from a competitive salary and highly competitive contributory Civil Service Pension, we also offer a benefits package including:

• A generous 30 days annual leave (based on full time hours) in addition to public holidays
• A range of recognition schemes including Instant Awards to thank and recognise each other's efforts and contributions
• Strong ethos of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Great work life balance with flexible and mobile working
• A pro-active approach to employee wellbeing that allows our employees to flourish and be their best at work
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offering access to 24/7 confidential advice and support
• Online financial support and advice
• Seasonal flu jabs
• Generous Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Shared Parental leave provisions
• A focus on career development and progression, supporting all grades with time and funding – Career Pathway options such as apprenticeships and recognised qualifications for a variety of professions are available
• A very active Sports and Social Society
• A number of inclusive Network Groups for employees at all levels across the organisation
• On site gym with subsidised membership
• Free on-site car parking
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Staff Discount scheme
• Holiday play scheme for children
• Up to 3 days paid leave for volunteering opportunities

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. Interviews to be held virtually, using Microsoft Teams at a to be confirmed date.

Candidates will be required to supply a CV and Personal Statement. The Personal Statement should be no more than 1250 words and address any experience, technical skills and Behaviours outlined in the person specification. These will also be explored at interview.

You can find more guidance on completing your application here.

Candidates will be required to undertake an activity as part of the selection process.

Companies House uses a blended interview technique, allowing us to find out more about you. We use the Success Profile framework and may include Strength based questions in the interview.

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of recruitment based on fair and open competition with decisions made on the basis of merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.

As part of our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, we ask candidates to provide an anonymous application. Please remove all identifying personal information from your CV, personal statement and application including: name; address; date of birth; dates of education.

We are proud to be a disability confident employer. Our recruitment process is fully inclusive of all physical and mental disabilities and as such we can make adjustments as needed through our process. These could include having an interview buddy, extra time at interviews or assessments and receiving interview questions prior to interview to name a few. If you are unsure what may be appropriate for your specific needs, please reach out and we will be happy to have a conversation about how we can best support you. Please contact the recruitment team if needed and a member of the team will be in touch – infopoint@companieshouse.gov.uk.

Any move to Companies House from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

Successful candidates must pass a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check before they can be appointed. BPSS is an entry level security check. It uses the Police National Computer (PNC) to make sure a candidate has no convictions. The check returns evidence of any current criminal record and un-spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact:

Name: Infopoint

Email: infopoint@companieshouse.gov.uk  

Recruitment team: Email: infopoint@companieshouse.gov.uk

Further information

We welcome applications from Welsh speakers. Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of appointment on the basis of merit by fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact infopoint@companieshouse.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission .? ? info@csc.gsi.gov.uk Civil Service Commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road SW1A 2HQ

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals