Junior Lawyer Operations

Location: Agile, Forth Banks Police Station and homeworking

Hours/Contract: 37 hours per week, permanent

Working for

Our purpose at Team NP is simple: to keep people safe and to fight crime. But it takes more than officers alone to do the job - and that's where our 2,000-strong team of police staff and 200 volunteers come in.

As one of the largest police forces in England we have a huge variety of departments and specialisms offering you endless opportunities. From mentoring and coaching schemes and online soft skills courses to leadership development programmes; we'll give you the support, training and time to carve out the career you always wanted.

As one of the top 50 UK inclusive employers and a disability confident employer, we promote a culture of respect in the workplace so everyone can feel seen, heard and valued.

Whether you're a member of staff or a volunteer, you can also expect first-rate support to manage your health and wellbeing. With year-round events, a 24/7 welfare support hotline and a leading approach to neurodiversity, our initiatives enable you to be at your best.

Above all else, here at Team NP, we can offer you a career that is so much more than just a job, it's a chance to be part of something that really matters.

Here at Northumbria Police, we think our region is amazing! It takes a great deal of people from different backgrounds, with diverse skills and experience to serve our force area effectively. Think you have what it takes to help us make a difference? This could be the perfect time for you to join us in our Legal Department as a Junior Lawyer Operations.

As a Junior Lawyer Operations, you will provide a comprehensive legal service to the force in relation to operational policing and other areas of public and police law. As part of the role, you will be required to provide support to the Assistant and Senior Lawyers.

What you'll do

• Court Representation and Advice: Advise officers and represent the Chief Constable in court for Civil Preventative Orders (e.g., sex offender orders, stalking protection orders, DVPOs, and Proceeds of Crime Act applications) to protect the public, especially children and vulnerable adults, and to combat serious crime and anti-social behaviour.
• Misconduct Proceedings Support: Assist Force Lawyers in advising and representing the Appropriate Authority in misconduct hearings and appeals under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020.
• Operational and General Advice: Provide advice to officers on operational queries to avoid compromising criminal investigations and mitigate reputational and financial risks. Offer advice on general queries via the advice helpline.
• Litigation Management: Direct the litigation assistant on proceeds of crime applications, police property applications, and dog destruction cases, and handle advocacy for these applications.
• Research and Guidance: Research new legislation and case law, assess their impact on the force, and disseminate guidance to inform policy and procedure, minimizing litigation risks.

What you'll bring

• Qualified Legal Professional: Must be a solicitor, barrister, or legal executive with at least 2 years of post-qualification experience (PQE).
• Workload Management: Experience handling large, complex workloads with competing priorities in a high-pressure environment.
• Advisory Skills: Ability to provide advice on a wide range of issues, understand and apply relevant legislation and case law, and offer practical solutions independently.
• Teamwork and Independence: Ability to work alone or as part of a team to deliver a seamless legal service.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written skills, including advocacy experience in both Magistrates and Crown Courts, and the ability to draft persuasive legal documents and negotiate outcomes.

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.

What we offer

• 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
• Access to gyms in some stations
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to volunteer in local community

Just so you know

Our application form will help us understand how your work, education and life experience has prepared you for the role of a Junior Lawyer Operations with .

If your application is successful, we'll ask you to complete a Recruitment Vetting (RV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 3 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information, and references.

Terms of appointment

This is a permanent role subject to a six-month probationary period.