Conduct a variety of litigation, including complex judicial review claims in the higher courts, ensuring that CICA is appropriately represented in all forums; drafting submissions and instructing counsel as appropriate in Tribunal and higher court proceedings.
Liaise proactively and collaboratively with the Government Legal Department, the Office of the Advocate General and the Ministry of Justice to ensure CICA has effective representation in litigation through Great Britain and across two legal jurisdictions.
Procure external legal services as appropriate, in conjunction with MoJ Commercial colleagues, to conduct specialist legal services and ensure CICA templates (e.g. for Trusts) remain fit for purpose, providing instruction and assistance as appropriate.
Contribute to the overall aims, objectives and performance of CICA's Legal Team and CICA's corporate objectives by providing legal advice that supports the delivery of a compassionate, efficient, trauma-informed service to victims of violent crime.
Support the Director of Legal & Policy Services in ensuring that CICA operates in accordance with legislative and policy frameworks and in ensuring the effective provision of a range of legal services.
Where compensation is to be paid into a Trust, providing legal input to the Trust terms and establishment.
Provide high quality legal advice on a range of issues including interpretation and application of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Schemes, judicial review claims, the establishment of trusts, data protection and freedom of information.
Respond to queries in a timely way, meeting internal targets and expediting urgent matters to ensure effective prioritisation.
Ensure that advice is practical, written at an appropriate level and is understood by the recipient.
Provide legal review of guidance for external stakeholders and the public that is of a high standard.
Provide input to MoJ about CICA's legal operations in order to inform Ministerial briefings and potential changes to legislation.
Provide legal advice/guidance to Parliamentary Questions, MP correspondence and complaints.
Undertake other duties as required including providing training and managing staff disciplinary proceedings.
Strong communication and leadership within CICA.
Work with other lawyers to identify:
trends and develop legal training for staff within the legal team
development required to processes and procedures within the legal team.
Work with key client departments, including policy, operations and stakeholder management to ensure legal basis of approach is sound.
Contribute and support the Director of Legal & Policy Services and the Head of Policy & Senior Lawyer in successfully delivering the work of the team through participation in senior management meetings and contributing to the formation and delivery of CICA's corporate objectives.
Develop relationships with senior leadership within operational areas to support the development of any action plans within that area.
Provide supervision and development for junior staff, and potentially trainee solicitors.
Support and develop the team of Presenting Officers who represent CICA at appeal hearings before the First-tier Tribunal, review Tribunal decisions, representing CICA before the Tribunal where required and, where necessary, raising judicial review proceedings on behalf of CICA.
The role may include line management of a trainee solicitor and/or an administrative officer, in which case you will be required to set clear expectations of line reports, discuss performance regularly to motivate and enhance services which meet customer expectations, and ensure compliance with Law Society requirements.
Deputising for the Director of Legal & Policy Services as necessary., 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., The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Solicitor qualified to practice in Scotland and/or England & Wales. Or a trainee who will qualify in Scotland and/or England & Wales within 3 months of the advert closing. Or a former qualified solicitor in Scotland and/or England & Wales who is seeking to return to the profession and is entitled to a practising certificate.
The ability to draft written argument, guidance and correspondence to the highest quality standards.
An excellent and demonstrable understanding of public law and the grounds for judicial review.
A familiarity with criminal law, trust law, data protection and freedom of information.
Strong organisation and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively when under time pressure.
Confident decision maker, able to work independently and as part of a team.
Strong analytical and reasoning skills, with the ability to assimilate information quickly and interpret statutes, case law and other sources of law.
Experience of conducting judicial review litigation in the Court of Session and/or the Administrative Court/Upper Tribunal.
Experience of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 and/or older Schemes including the pre-statutory schemes., Seeing the Bigger Picture

A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

2 Ministry Of Justice jobs in Scotland