Senior Specialist Lawyer

The role

As the environmental regulator of water and wastewater in Wales, NRW plays a vital role in ensuring that water discharge permits deliver the best outcomes for the environment - both now and for the future.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is seeking a Senior Specialist Lawyer to provide advice and support primarily to our Environmental Permitting department but also to our wider Policy and Regulatory functions. The focus will be on water quality and related matters, reflecting the growing need to protect Wales' water bodies and the significant investment being directed towards this area.

A central aspect of this role will be to deliver clear, pragmatic, and risk based legal advice on complex issues relating to the permitting of storm overflows and other high profile water discharges. You will also play a key part in ensuring NRW's decisions are robust and able to withstand scrutiny. This may include representing NRW in legal proceedings such as judicial reviews or appeal to the Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).

The preferred location for this role is Cardiff, though other NRW office locations may be considered. We support flexible working and will agree a suitable hybrid working pattern upon appointment. Any face-to-face meetings or training will be scheduled in advance.

Join us and help shape the future of Wales's natural environment through expert legal guidance and meaningful collaboration.

Interviews will be face to face (details of time and location will be shared in advance).

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Sarah Asbrey Sarah.

Asbrey

Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS). Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Natural Resources Wales welcomes applications from non-UK citizens who are eligible to apply under this route, subject to confirmation by the Home Office.

Please note that while we may be able to support the Certificate of Sponsorship required for a visa application, the organisation does not cover the cost of the visa itself, including any associated fees for dependants.

The applicant must still meet the UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility and Requirement. For further information, please visit:

• Act in the best interests of NRW ensuring decision making and advice given are legally sound and all risks are actively managed.
• Provide high quality risk and solutions based legal advice so that the Board, the Chief Executive, Directors, managers and all officers fulfil their legal obligations, statutory duties and functions in accordance with the law.
• Use professional judgement and risk analysis to best utilise the use of external legal providers, commission, utilise and manage those providers, including Solicitors, Barristers and Parliamentary Agents, to ensure that NRW fulfils its lawful obligations and the service delivers value for money.
• Instigate and conduct criminal proceedings providing recommendations for decision to Head of Legal Services on Prosecutions, Formal cautions and civil sanctions including assessment of evidence and application of the public interest test in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
• Take full conduct of civil litigation including specialist proceedings (eg judicial review) developing and implementing individually tailored litigation strategies, being accountable for assessing evidence, likelihood of success, preparing for and attending at courts, tribunals and inquiries and conducting advocacy in those fora.
• Consider the pertinence of, and where necessary develop and draft legislative orders (eg Orders, byelaws and other subordinate legislation) to achieve NRW objectives.
• Through effective engagement, communication, influencing and negotiation, develop and maintain good working relationships with internal clients and external stakeholders including Welsh Government, Westminster departments, other public- sector organisations, AMs, MPs, various industrial and commercial sectors regulated by NRW, the legal community, the…