Legal Advisor (Ref: 80764)

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Legal Advisor 

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. We receive over 30,000 applications a year for compensation, from people who have lost loved ones or have been injured as a result of violent crime. We know financial compensation can never fully redress what they have suffered. Nevertheless, what we do is an important part of providing justice for victims and we take pride that the compensation we pay helps people move forward with their lives. 

Some of the material you will access may include upsetting personal accounts of harm inflicted by others. This could include sexual assault and violence against children which is distressing. We recognise the personal impact this may have over a prolonged period and we provide resilience training, to promote wellbeing.

We employ around 300 people and are based in Glasgow city centre, with excellent transport links. We are a small, engaged, productive workforce with a real sense of corporate community. We want to keep improving our services and the way we work to best serve the public, meet new challenges, deliver value for money and ensure CICA is a great place to work. 

This position is based at Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, Alexander Bain House, Glasgow, G2 8JQ. In early 2024 we will be moving to a nearby city centre office location. We currently operate a hybrid working business model, where a typical employee works 2-3 days a week in the office and the remainder from home. 

Job Description 

As a Legal Advisor you will be part of the Legal and Policy Team. Specifically, you will be part of a flexible and professional legal team, which provides all stakeholders with an excellent service and sound legal advice. 

You will advise on a wide range of requests for legal advice and assistance from across the organisation, as allocated to you by the Head of Legal, including on statutory interpretation, First-tier Tribunal appeals (drafting submissions where appropriate), data protection and freedom of information issues, judicial reviews to the Upper Tribunal and Court of Session, and drafting/establishment of trusts. 

You will be expected to demonstrate a good understanding of public law, and a competent understanding of criminal law, freedom of information and data protection. You will also need to demonstrate an understanding of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. 

Applications from Trainee Solicitors whose training contracts will conclude in the course of the next 6 months, and from candidates who have previously qualified and worked as a Solicitor in Scotland and/or England and Wales currently seeking to return to legal practice will be considered. 

Key responsibilities 

• Give prompt, accurate and well written legal advice to staff from all areas of the business on a range of matters including the operation of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, data protection, freedom of information, trusts, and criminal law
• Draft trust deeds and advise on issues connected to establishment of trusts
• Draft submissions in cases involving CICA before the Upper Tribunal and, as appropriate, the First-tier Tribunal
• Instruct counsel in judicial review actions before the senior courts
• Provide input to appeals before the First-tier Tribunal as required

Essential criteria

• Solicitor qualified to practice in Scotland and/or England and Wales and the holder of a valid practicing certificate at the point of taking up the post
• A firm understanding of public law
• A competent understanding of criminal law, trust law and data protection legislation
• Experience of working as part of a team, displaying collegiality, and working together to improve processes and procedures
• Excellent oral, written and listening communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and concisely
• Ability to analyse and assess complex legal information and convey the key points to non-legally qualified colleagues and stakeholders
• Positive, self-starting and enthusiastic attitude, and ability to work well both independently and as part of a team
• Flexible and adaptable attitude
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload and work effectively at pace

Desirable criteria

• Dual-qualification as a solicitor in Scotland and England and Wales
• Experience of working in a public law environment and advising on one or more of the following: judicial review, human rights, statutory interpretation

Other duties

The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post. 

How to apply 

The selection process for this vacancy will utilise Civil Service Success Profiles and will assess your Experience, Behaviours and Strengths. 

Stage 1 

Applicants should provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a statement of suitability which evidences the essential criteria. The statement should be no more than 500 words in length. 

Stage 2 

If you are invited to interview, you will be tested on the following behaviours: 

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace 

The interview will also include strength-based questions. 

For further information about this vacancy please contact Emma.Hannay@cica.gov.uk

Important Information Regarding Interviews

Interviews are expected to take place in January 2024.

All interviews will be conducted at Alexander Bain House, Glasgow.

Further Information 

Following the closing date, this job advertisement will no longer be available to view. You may wish to retain a copy for your records. 

A reserve list will be created and will be valid for 12 months. If further vacancies arise for this or similar roles within the organisation, candidates may be appointed from the reserve list in order of merit. 

We offer flexible working 7am – 7pm, Monday to Friday. This role is offered on a full-time (37 hours per week) basis. 

Disability Confident 

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. 

Reasonable Adjustments 

Please tell us if you have a disability when you apply, and we can offer reasonable adjustments to help with the selection process. 

If you require any assistance at any time, please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am-6pm) or e-mail MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Job contact :

• Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
• Telephone : 0845 241 5359

Recruitment team

• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com