Senior Lawyer; Civil Claims

Salary: Band 12, £64,959 – £70,071 per annum (Please note it is Northumbria Police policy to appoint at the beginning of the band)

Location: Agile, Forth Banks Police Station, Newcastle and homeworking

Hours/

Contract:

37 hours per week, permanent

• Provide advice on all aspects of litigation in accordance with relevant legislation, case law and force policy ensuring that the organisational and reputational risk of the Force is minimised.
• Managing and advising on the civil claims (including the Allard claims) made against the Chief Constable in accordance with the delegated authority given by both the PCC and the Chief Constable.
• Making decisions on the Force’s liability for claims and, where appropriate, settling claims and costs (including the Allard claims) up to the limit of the delegated authority.
• Providing representation and advice in relation to inquests involving the Force.
• Monitor the expenditure on civil claims and report on a timely basis to the Chief Constable on any financial issues arising, including the relationship between current expenditure and the stop loss figure under the Force’s insurance policy (£2m).

• Minimum of 5 years qualification as a solicitor; knowledge of police law; experienced in litigation and managing a litigation team; experience of liaising with insurers.
• Ability to work unsupervised and plan/organise personal work and that of the team.
• Ability to identify key issues in all areas of the legal work and management.
• Ability to analyse data on claims; to be able to manage, supervise and support the team.
• Experience of reporting and presenting to senior leaders within the Force; identifying areas of change.

This is a permanent role subject to a six‑month probationary period. Successful candidates will not be able to apply for any other post, advertised internally or externally, during the probation period.

• 26 days’ leave (increasing to 30 days for 5 years+ service) plus 8 bank holidays
• NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme
• Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave
• Flexi time – allowing you to fit your working hours around your individual needs
• Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
• Agile working – option to work from home, your team zone, and spaces across the force
• Fantastic market‑leading public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution
• Corporate travel schemes – local rail, bus services and metro discounts
• Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers
• Discounts on shopping and eating out thanks to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets
• Paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on‑site, an employee advice service for additional support
• Access to gyms in some stations
• Sports & Social Club – join our thriving sports scene at Team NP and enjoy further exclusive discounts on days out and travel
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to volunteer in local community

We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Appointments are based on merit alone.

For further information about the role please contact Richard Heron, Head of Legal Services by email at Richard