Criminal Litigation Solicitor

Swindon, United Kingdom | Posted on 13/10/2026

Job Purpose

To provide expert legal advice, advocacy and representation across a broad range of criminal litigation matters, ensuring the Council receives high-quality, timely and commercially focused legal support.

The postholder will manage a complex caseload of criminal and regulatory enforcement matters, providing specialist legal advice to officers, members and partner organisations. Working autonomously, the Senior Lawyer will act as an advocate for the Council, advise on high-profile and sensitive cases, and contribute to the continuous improvement of Legal Services while ensuring compliance with legislation, professional standards and Council objectives.

• Provide high-quality legal advice, representation and support to Council officers, members and stakeholders.
• Manage a complex caseload of criminal litigation matters with minimal supervision.
• Advise on regulatory enforcement matters including:
  • Trading Standards
  • Food Safety
  • Licensing
  • Environmental Enforcement
  • Consumer Protection
  • Other regulatory offences within the Council's remit
• Conduct prosecutions and enforcement proceedings on behalf of the Council.
• Act as advocate in Magistrates' Courts, Crown Courts, Tribunals and other hearings as appropriate.
• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of legal documentation, pleadings and correspondence.
• Provide legal advice relating to investigations, enforcement decisions and prosecutions.
• Advise on Licensing Act matters and attend Licensing Committee hearings where required.
• Support higher court proceedings, appeals and Judicial Review matters.
• Undertake legal research and provide practical solutions to complex legal issues.
• Assess legal risk and provide strategic advice to support decision-making.
• Provide training, mentoring and guidance to junior legal colleagues.
• Attend Council committees, sub-committees and working groups to provide legal advice.
• Maintain effective relationships with internal clients, elected members, enforcement officers and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with professional standards, legal protocols and Council procedures.
• Contribute to service development, process improvement and modernisation initiatives.
• Maintain accurate case records using legal case management systems.
• Promote high professional standards and best practice across Legal Services.
• Support emergency legal work and urgent matters when required.

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a current practising certificate.
• Minimum 2 years' post-qualification experience.
• Significant experience in Criminal Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement work.
• Extensive knowledge of:
  • Criminal Procedure
  • Regulatory Enforcement
  • Trading Standards
  • Food Safety Legislation
  • Licensing Law
  • Local Government Enforcement Powers
• Proven advocacy experience within criminal and regulatory proceedings.
• Experience managing complex and high-profile litigation matters.
• Strong legal drafting, negotiation and analytical skills.
• Ability to provide clear, practical and commercially focused legal advice.
• Experience advising officers, senior managers and elected members.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work under pressure.
• Strong understanding of legal risk management and governance requirements.
• Experience conducting legal research and interpreting legislation and case law.
• Ability to work independently and make sound professional judgements.
• Local Government legal experience.
• Experience advising Licensing Committees.
• Knowledge of Judicial Review and appeal proceedings.
• Experience supervising trainees, legal assistants or junior lawyers.
• Advocacy rights in higher courts.
• Experience dealing with politically sensitive or high-profile matters.