SYP - Legal Officer

at  South Yorkshire Police

CONTRACT TYPE: PERMANENT

Our experienced legal team are seeking to recruit a Legal Services Officer, CILEX Level 3 qualified or higher.
As part of the Legal Services team support the provision of a comprehensive legal service to the Chief Constable, the Chief Officer Group and all officers and support staff at Humberside and South Yorkshire Police.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Educated to ‘A’ Level standard with a legal qualification e.g. law degree or CILEX level 3 or higher.
• Has the ability to read, understand and apply case law and statutes.
• Experience of working as a legal executive or similar role within a legal services environment.
• Well-developed drafting skills for written communications and argument.
• Experience of drafting witness statements and creating files for Court
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to deal with all ranks of officer, support staff and external agencies.
• Computer literacy/keyboarding skills.
• A logical, methodical approach to work with a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise workload balancing competing demands.
• Ability to collate relevant information from varying sources to make evidence based decisions in conjunctions with the Senior Legal Officer/Solicitors when required.
• Understands when to refer matters to a supervisor when there is no set precedent or when further decision making is required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Have conduct of cases for Firearms Licensing Appeals, complying with Crown Court Orders for disclosure and general management of the proceedings, liaising with interested parties, preparing evidence bundles, instructing Counsel.
• Dealing with applications in accordance with Dangerous Dogs legislation, reviewing information, undertaking research, drafting applications for the Magistrates’ Court, compiling evidence bundles, instructing operational solicitors and /or Counsel to attend hearings.
• Managing cases involving disputed ownership of property seized by the police in accordance with the Police Property Act 1897, drafting applications to the Magistrates’ Court where appropriate and conducting the case accordingly.
• Reviewing applications for discharge or variation to Sex Offender Orders, liaising with interested parties, assessing information and advising in relation to the same, organising legal representation at Court as appropriate.
• Assisting solicitors in the preparation of civil preventative orders by preparing evidence bundles and drafting of applications. Under supervision assess cases for suitability of civil preventative orders.
• Dealing with disclosure requests for Family Law proceedings, including assessing requests, conducting research, liaising and negotiating with internal and external parties and making decisions on appropriate disclosure. Making necessary applications to court, arranging representation and attending court to provide assistance.
• Providing legal advice on a broad range of topics by researching and interpreting legislation, policy and national guidance to officers at all levels.
• Attending proceedings to support Counsel and provide updates to Head of Department by producing a comprehensive summary to include the salient points.
• Conducting any other research requested by the Senior Legal Officer / Principal Lawyer.
• Accessing force systems to be able to undertake research.
• Organising and prioritising own workload and manage deadlines.