Locum Criminal and Enforcement Lawyer

Locum Criminal and Enforcement Lawyer
Temporary, Full Time
£40-£50 p/h
Location: Chelmsford
This role offers flexible working practices in line with the client's policy including hybrid working - in all cases this is offered in line with business needs. We will expect you to attend the Chelmsford offices approximately 2-3 days per week.
We are currently recruiting for a Criminal and Enforcement Lawyer to be part of a specialist Criminal and Enforcement law section within the Dispute Resolution and Employment Law Team. You will work closely with colleagues to ensure the delivery of a high performing, client facing legal service which proactively embraces change.
Our client is a diverse and large organisation that strives for excellence and delivers an outstanding service. The in-house legal service prides itself on providing a comprehensive legal service – most of our work is done in-house. We pride ourselves on valuing the people who work for us and provide a supportive working environment, where people work hard to do their best.
We’re looking for someone with excellent technical legal skills and relevant experience who can quickly pick things up. You will be a qualified solicitor / lawyer, or Chartered Legal Executive, and be a member of the appropriate professional body.
As part of a specialist legal team you will provide advice and guidance to clients both in house and to external public body clients. The work is interesting and rewarding and underpins effective decision making, performance management and ensuring statutory requirements are met. This is a brilliant opportunity for the right person to develop their criminal and enforcement legal skills and experience and build strong relationships with internal and external partners.
The Role
The successful post holder will be responsible for the delivery of all aspects of legal advice within the Criminal and Enforcement Section, where you will be expected to build strong relationships with internal and external partners. This position will be fast-paced and it is therefore imperative you are highly motivated and confident in handling a full caseload consisting of both contentious and non-contentious criminal and enforcement matters including, but not limited to, the following:
* Complex fraud cases
* Confiscation proceedings
* Consumer complaint prosecutions
* Planning and Environmental Enforcement Prosecutions
* Highways Enforcement Notices and Prosecutions
Job Purpose
As a qualified criminal and enforcement lawyer you will join a team that prides itself on the provision of high quality advice, information, analysis and interpretation to clients that underpin effective decision making, meaningful performance management and meets statutory requirements.
Achieving good client service and making a real and demonstrable difference to the delivery of business and the business of our clients is core to our ethos.
You will be involved in potentially high profile and ground-breaking criminal and enforcement matters and will advise clients on all aspects of criminal and enforcement law issues in demanding circumstances which will at times have far reaching consequences.
The successful applicant will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or Chartered Legal Executive ideally with a minimum of 2 years’ post-qualification (although qualified solicitors, barristers or Chartered Legal Executives with less than 2 years’ post qualification will also be considered) and a member of the appropriate professional body. The post holder must have significant commercial awareness to contribute to the development of new external streams of business and the ability to build excellent working relationships. This role is working within the Dispute Resolution and Employment Law Team
Service/Functional Accountabilities
As part of the Legal Services’ Dispute Resolution and Employment Law team, the post-holder will be responsible and accountable for:
* Providing timely and accurate legal advice across the Council and to external clients, including constructively challenging and exploring alternative options where appropriate to produce the best possible outcomes
* Delivering outcomes against the business plan for legal services, which supports and drives the wider Organisation Strategy and vision
* Acting as a legal practitioner and advocate providing specialist advice, professional consultation and support to colleagues (where appropriate) within your team
* Understanding client needs and providing them with a service they value; driving the delivery of productivity and efficiency improvement
* Maintaining and actively progressing a full and varied caseload
* Supporting the development of current and future business opportunities, to promote the Legal Services’ vision to the external market
* Building strong working relationships across the team, schools, other local authorities and the private sector to ensure a quality advice service is provided to the customer
* Understanding and performing delegated functions as detailed in the constitution (and as amended from time to time)
* Specific individual and shared targets and objectives that are defined annually within the performance management framework
The Experience You Will Bring
* Qualified solicitor/barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with current membership of the Law Society or Bar Standards Board or Cilex
* Evidence of continuing professional development, 2 years post-qualified experience and expert knowledge in relevant professional area (although lawyers with less post-qualified experience will be considered)
* Experience of working within a legal setting in a politically sensitive environment, providing high-quality advice to a wide range of clients
* Experience advising at all stages of the criminal investigation process including pre-charge, review of evidence, assessing suitable legislation and drafting charges
* Experience running criminal cases from laying Information’s through to sentencing and showing a high level of attention to detail at every stage
* Experience acting as the reviewing lawyer on criminal matters
* Experience drafting formal Notices
* Liaising with Counsel
* Commercial awareness with sufficient professional credibility to maintain the existing client base
* Ability to work and think independently while maintaining focus on delivering team and corporate objectives
* Proven track record of building strong working relationships across a large, complex organisation and with internal and external partners/stakeholders and clients
* Ability to provide clear and succinct advice on complex matters to both to both the client base and junior colleagues
* A strong focus on outcomes to achieve strategic objectives
Company Overview:
A trusted and UKAS ISO9001 accredited leader in the recruitment industry. Providing comprehensive recruitment solutions across more than 20 diverse industries. Specializing in both temporary and permanent placements, as a modern and innovative organization, we leverage our valuable experience and adhere to a strict set of core values throughout our recruitment processes. Our commitment to excellence, integrity, and professionalism ensures that we consistently exceed expectations and build long-lasting relationships with both clients and all staff.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Optima Plus Recruitment is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and strive to eliminate barriers to employment. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know, and we will work with you to meet your needs