Role: Solicitor/Senior Solicitor (Senior position only offered depending on PQE, skills, experience etc of successful candidate)

Department: Legal Services

Location: Carbrook, Sheffield

Salary: Solicitor £53,688 - £57,258 / Senior Solicitor £59,703 - £63,573

Hours: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

The Legal Services Department provides legal advice and representation to both Humberside Police & South Yorkshire Police, as Solicitor/Senior Solicitor you will be responsible for:

• Investigating and managing a caseload of challenging and sensitive pre-litigated and litigated civil claims involving Public Liability, Employers Liability, RTC’s, Unlawful Arrest and False Imprisonment and Judicial Review proceedings.
• Attend Court hearings, mediation, and settlement meetings, including conducting your own advocacy where appropriate.
• To be responsible for the provision of legal advice to the Chief Constable and the Police & Crime Commissioner and to report to the Principal Lawyer & Head of Legal Services on all matters which incorporates the management and strategic direction of the litigation.
• To work with the Principal Lawyer in the establishment and co-ordination of robust performance management systems for the litigation team to include the drafting of reports to the senior stakeholders and potential changes and improvements to business processes, structures, and cultures within the litigation team. 
• The term ‘Satellite litigation’ will include but be not limited to the following additional areas of law relating to litigation: liaising with the IOPC, where appropriate, on misconduct related matters relating to the reporting of historic discipline issues; handling all data protection claims, enquiries, challenges, and linked tribunal proceedings. Additional public law challenges such as Judicial Review and linked tribunal proceedings and ongoing Insurance Litigation and Inquest proceedings.  
• Provide written advice on any aspect of the law relating to the Police Service including the implication of legislative changes and the adoption of new training and operational policies relating to the claims and any satellite litigation relating to Police Law.
• Advise on matters relating to the disclosure of information in civil proceedings including public interest immunity and confidentiality ensuring compliance with legislation, Case Law, and Force Policy where it relates to litigation and any satellite issues.

Skills and experience:

• Solicitor/Barrister/Legal Executive (Fellow). 
• Legal qualification to degree level or equivalent. 
• Detailed knowledge and advocacy skills of law and practice in at least one of the following areas: civil law.
• Detailed Knowledge and experience of litigation and an understanding of ECHR, Civil Procedure Rules.
• Experience in the conduct of report writing to include provision of financial reserves.
• Ability to manage a diverse caseload which is high risk and complex, providing clear and legally sound advice.  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to deal with all ranks of officer, support staff and external agencies. 
• Ability to use professional judgement to make accurate decisions relating to legal matters.  Ability to assimilate large amounts of information and make appropriate evaluations in order to recommend a course of action.
• Manage the allocation of legal caseloads and staffing resource.
• In accordance with financial and insurance regulations approve settlements within their approved amounts.

Skills and experience as documented in the role profile need to be evidenced in your application to be considered for interview.

For more detailed information relating to the role, skills, and experience for this role, please refer to the attached role profile.

What we offer:

We offer generous entitlements and supportive policies to enable a better work-life balance, some of which are listed below:

• A highly competitive salary and access to a generous pension scheme
• Generous annual leave allowance
• A wide range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
• Flexible working arrangements including flexi0time and hybrid working.
• A transparent and collaborative team culture underpinned by our core values of Fairness, Integrity & Trust
• Comprehensive range of development and leadership courses to develop your career with South Yorkshire Police
• Employee Assistant Programme (accessible 24/7) offering confidential support and advice.
• Flexible lifestyle benefits such as: Blue Light Card, Company Shop, Cycle to work scheme.
• Committed to embedding sustainability.
• Membership to the Sports and Social Club
• Access to a wide range of staff support groups and networks

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the minimum requirement checkable history criteria, which must be taken into account for individuals applying to work with South Yorkshire Police in any capacity. A minimum checkable history of 5 years is required for this role and successfully undergoing recruitment vetting procedure is a pre-requisite of employment with South Yorkshire Police.

Appearance & Standards:

South Yorkshire Police is committed to striking a proportionate balance between self-expression and the need to maintain role sensitive professional standards in dress and appearance. Officers, staff, and volunteers of South Yorkshire Police are permitted to have tattoos visible whilst on duty provided the tattoo is not considered to be unacceptable or otherwise inappropriate. Tattoos will be reviewed as part of the recruitment and selection process.

Smarter ways of Working:

South Yorkshire Police is committed to developing working practices which assist staff to balance their personal and professional lives, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation. This in turn enables South Yorkshire Police to provide an outstanding service to the community.

There are 3 different categories as part of this which are: Fixed, Field and Hybrid.

This role has been evaluated as a Hybrid role.

Hybrid: Applicable when the work can be undertaken at any location, whether that be a SYP building or from home.

South Yorkshire Police’s Key Values:

At South Yorkshire Police we have 3 key values which run through everything we do Fairness, Integrity & Trust, the attached document details the key behaviours we expect all employees to adhere to.

Contact details:

For further information about the role, please contact: Andrew Ford on 07901 724419 

Closing dates are not normally extended, other than in exceptional circumstances and agreement is made between the Talent Acquisition Manager and the Line Manager for the role.

Closing Date: Thursday, 12th December 2024 @ 23:59pm

How to apply:

Please complete an application form for this vacancy and also send a CV to Andrew Ford at andrew.ford@humberside.police.uk 

Candidate Information:

Please note that, should you be successful at the interview stage and before appointment, the relevant pre-employment checks are required. These include references, medical clearance, vetting clearance, and sickness absence criteria check.

Diversity & Inclusion:

Applications are particularly welcome from female and ethnic minority candidates.

It is really important to us that the department represents the community we serve, in order for us to provide the best service, utilising a range of backgrounds, experience and skills. We support and value all officers and staff and the unique experiences they bring to the role. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from these valuable underrepresented groups.

If you are from an underrepresented group and want to find out more about the support we can offer, please contact our dedicated team on positiveaction@southyorks.pnn.police.uk

In addition, we will look to support anyone who requires Part Time/Job share working hours.