Litigation Lawyer - Grade 7

The Commission’s Litigation Team conducts litigation on behalf of the Commission and undertakes advocacy for 40-50 cases per year in a range of Courts and Tribunals.  Our successful team comprises the Head of Litigation, one Litigation Lawyer, one Litigation and Review Manager, and a Legal and Litigation Support Officer.

The role supports the Commission's strategic aims and operational goals by managing, conducting and co-ordinating the Commission’s litigation in the Charity Tribunal and the Courts, developing litigation practice and procedure, and administering the Commission’s Decision Review process.

The role-holder also plays a role in defending the Commission’s regulatory interventions in the charity sector, in ensuring the integrity of the Register of Charities and in bringing High Court proceedings to recover funds lost to charity.  Our cases regularly raise novel questions about how public law, including human rights, interfaces with charity law and regulation.

Job description

  • Manage and undertake advocacy at the Tribunal and Courts in cases against Commission decisions, working closely with other legal advisers and colleagues across the Commission, by actively conducting legal proceedings and bringing cases to a successful conclusion. These could include charity law tribunal, public law and ombudsman-based complaints amongst others.
  • Instruct counsel (barristers) effectively on behalf of the Commission, for example Judicial Reviews and High Court Applications- which may include drafting of instructions, to deliver high quality and cost-efficient advice and advocacy in both litigation cases and advisory roles.
  • Actively manage the Commission’s internal decision review service and work effectively with colleagues across the Commission to deliver an effective and efficient service.
  • Work effectively with colleagues to assist the Information Commissioner’s Office when conducting their casework.
  • Attend Tribunals and conduct advocacy on behalf of the Commission in cases before Judges or Panels.

Person specification

  • Solicitor or Barrister qualified to practice in England and Wales
  • Advocacy skills and experience in conducting trials and cross examination
  • Strong legal research and analytical skills including the ability to interpret and advise on unfamiliar areas of law
  • Clear thinking and strong analytical skills and ability to assess risks
  • Current in-depth knowledge of the law and practice relating to one or more of the following: Charity and Trust law Administrative/Public law, Civil litigation law and practice or Regulatory law

Qualifications

Solicitor or Barrister qualified to practice in England and Wales.

Behaviours

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

  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
Alongside your salary of £56,764, Charity Commission contributes £16,444 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

This is your chance to make a contribution that really matters and to make an impact in an organisation where your voice will be heard and your hard work noticed.

Watch this short video to find out more about us.

We operate a flexible hybrid working policy where office attendance is combined with at least 3 days homeworking per week dependent on role requirements.

We recognise everyone as an individual, accepting people for who they are and treating everyone fairly. We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring from all backgrounds and we aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We champion inclusion and wellbeing, aiming to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and has a sense of belonging.

We do not discriminate on the basis of culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.

We offer access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme (employer contributions of 28.97%), far more than in the private sector, and a flexible, family-friendly environment. Additionally you can look forward to other great benefits via our ‘Perkbox’ and ‘Edenred’ schemes. These include everything from an interest-free season ticket loan and bicycle loan (after two months) to discounts on gym membership, cinema tickets and restaurants. Please see the attached Charity Commission benefits document. 

A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30 days per year. 

The Charity Commission’s operational ambition is to realise the Commission’s values of being an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent, which works in a way that is supportive, collaborative, and innovative to achieve our ambitions. We want to develop our capability to regulate charities to realise this goal and meet our statutory and public duties to ensure that charity in England and Wales can deliver maximum benefit to society in a way that upholds its reputation in the eyes of the public. 

Work at the Charity Commission and you’ll make a difference every day to:

  • The 170,000 charities of all shapes and sizes that we regulate across England and Wales.
  • The trustees we partner with and advise.
  • The people and causes that benefit from the £10bn generously donated each year by the public.

Find out more about working for us here.

To apply click HERE