Principal Advocate - Criminal

Location: Birmingham

Role: Principal Advocate - Criminal

Hours: Permanent (36 hours - part time considered)

Salary: £54,495 - £64,811

Final date to receive applications: 28/02/2026

Sellick Partnership is delighted to be working exclusively with one of the largest in‑house legal services teams in Europe.

If you are an experienced criminal advocate seeking your next challenge, I am keen to have a conversation!

The current vacancy for a Principal Advocate - Criminal will see you manage hearings and trials on behalf of your colleagues. The lawyers you will work with are friendly and supportive, with a strong team ethic. The role will involve frequent travel to the Magistrate's Court in central Birmingham, so applicants must be based locally to ensure court times are adhered to.

Applicants will have higher rights of audience (or be willing to obtain these) so all hearings can be covered in‑house. You must be able to demonstrate excellent advocacy skills and experience and thorough knowledge of relevant courts and tribunals procedure.

As the new Principal Advocate - Criminal you will be an integral part of this in‑house legal team, delivering advocacy services and support to the team. Applicants from a range of legal backgrounds will be considered. This role would suit someone with a defence background from perhaps the CPS or a private firm. Conversely, you may be a seasoned local government prosecutor ready for your next challenge and to ditch the file management and focus on your passion – advocacy at court!

Daily duties will include:

• To take instructions from colleagues as an alternative to counsel.
• Acting as a lead legal advisor to ensure compliance with statutory duties and obligations, to protect the best interests of the Council.
• Appearing as advocate in the higher courts representing the Council, undertaking a wide range of hearings.
• Providing evidential strengths and weaknesses in a case and advising on appropriate next steps or options.

You will be a positive and highly motivated person who is confident, versatile and innovative. This post will focus on work relating to enforcement and regulatory law. The court work involves prosecuting on matters such as planning, building regulations, environmental health, and licensing, as well as regulatory and criminal litigation. You will be a strong communicator with excellent advocacy skills. You will be directly involved in high‑quality legal work and make a positive difference to the community.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an established lawyer with a good understanding of enforcement/regulatory law, as well as the political and economic environment in general, to join a progressive organisation. This post advises on public law and regulatory issues in connection with a range of powers exercised by the local authority. As such, it is key that the post holder is able to not simply follow the letter of the law but understands the need to work within the constraints that come from working in local government.

Flexible and non‑traditional working patterns are encouraged, and you can work on a full‑time or part‑time basis.

You will be a qualified Solicitor/Barrister/FILEX with a current Practising Certificate. You will ideally possess higher rights of audience (or be willing to obtain these). You will join a sizable team of lawyers and support staff. In return for your experience, commitment, and motivation, you will enjoy working in a modern environment, with a competitive salary and benefits package.

For more information on this opportunity, please contact Kate Jasper in our Manchester office or apply today!

Sellick Partnership is proud to be an inclusive and accessible recruitment business and we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Please note, our advertisements use years' experience, hourly rates, and salary levels purely as a guide and we assess applications based on the experience and skills evidenced on the CV. For information on how your personal details may be used by Sellick Partnership, please review our data processing notice on our website.