Police Claims Solicitor

Our Public Sector team is one of the largest in the UK, with extensive experience working with local authorities, local authority consortia, police forces, fire authorities and NHS Trusts. Our lawyers have hands-on experience of working in local government and the public sector. Our approach is focused on solving our client's legal problems as quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. We are brand leaders in defendant litigation services for local and public authorities, with in-depth expertise in all types of claims including motor, public liability and employers' liability. We have considerable experience in handling sensitive and/or high profile claims, such as bullying, failure to educate and abuse, and are equally skilled in handling the media attention that these cases sometimes attract. Our specialist practitioners act exclusively for the police service, representing a diverse range of forces across England and Wales. As the largest dedicated police legal team in the country our lawyers have been involved in some of the most high profile and significant cases involving the police service over the last 15 years.

We are currently recruiting for a Solicitor - 4 YRS PQE.

To advise, prepare and present cases in court including Sexual Harm Prevention Order, Sexual Risk Orders, Anti-Social Behaviour injunctions, closure orders, Domestic Violence Protection Orders, and Stalking Protection Orders.

To effectively manage a large caseload of non-litigated and litigated police claims and to provide support in the form of assisting in the preparation of witness statements, preparing witnesses for trial, attending conferences with counsel and attending trial.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Specialise in acting on behalf of various police forces, claims handlers and insurers, protecting their interests
• Manage a caseload of non-litigated and litigated claims including but not limited to property damage, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, assault, employers liability and motor claims
• Present cases in the Magistrates court
• Represent police forces and advocate in disclosure applications to the Family court
• Provide face to face training to groups of police officers
• Assist the TM and other team members with their cases, client development, client training, networking and potentially public speaking where required
• Liaise with various parties such as other solicitors, insurers, experts, counsel and clients
• Control Case Manager diary and action lists
• Attend at court hearings as appropriate
• Draft various documents such as letters and reports
• Satisfy standards of client care in accordance with guidelines and directions
• Complete Client MI procedures
• Achieve set financial and chargeable targets
• Comply with relevant rules, policies and procedures
• Keep up to date with legal developments
• Work in accordance with Weightmans’ values

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and you will be expected to perform other duties and have other responsibilities that fall within the wider remit of the role.

• For the NQ role 0 - 4 YR PQE is essential 
• For the Associate role 5 YR PQE is essential 
• Preferably experience of defending litigated claims but candidates who have Claimant litigation experience will also considered
• Willingness to present cases in the magistrates court
• Excellent knowledge of the CPR and litigation
• Ability to influence a broad range of people including key decision makers
• Excellent organisation skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent IT skills
• Ability to work to strict deadlines and targets
• Ability to work as part of a team or on own initiative
• Flexible approach to work and a willingness to travel