Legal Services

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

OSPT Grade 7 – Lawyers 

Background

The Offices of the Official Solicitor and Public Trustee (OSPT)

The office is an Arms’ Length Body of the Ministry of Justice and combines the duties and responsibilities of 2 separate independent statutory office holders – the Official Solicitor to the Senior Courts and the Public Trustee. There are around 135 staff who support the work of the Official Solicitor and Public Trustee, including lawyers, lay case managers and administrators; We promote access to justice for the most vulnerable members of our society who might otherwise be unable to use the services offered by the justice system due to their lack of mental capacity or because of their young age. We are committed to providing the best level of service we can for our clients. 

We have Grade 7 Lawyer vacancies on our Civil Litigation and Healthcare and Welfare lawyer teams. Please indicate on the application form which post(s) you are applying for.

Essential Criteria

We are looking for highly motivated qualified lawyers able to work efficiently in a dynamic work environment. You will need strong communication skills, good self-awareness and a commitment to role model positive behaviours and use feedback to learn and develop as a professional. You will be expected to make confident and informed decisions within your own casework, while also escalating risks and seeking guidance from senior colleagues where appropriate. You must be able to demonstrate specific professional skills, knowledge or qualifications

The Civil Litigation Post

The Official Solicitor’s Civil Litigation team deals with a broad range of cases spanning the spectrum of civil litigation matters in the County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, as well as matters before the Parole Board and various tribunals. In these cases, the Official Solicitor usually acts in the role of litigation friend for children or those lacking capacity to litigate on their own behalf, and she instructs external solicitors to advise and progress the cases. However, a small number of cases are dealt with in-house by the team.  

The work is very varied and often raises complex legal issues. Types of cases managed by the team include Clinical Negligence, Personal Injury, child abuse compensation claims, Landlord and Tenant, Judicial Review, Insolvency, Inheritance Act claims, TOLATA applications, claims under the Human Rights Act, Displacement of Nearest Relative applications under the Mental Health Act, matters before the Parole Board and various tribunals. This is by no means exhaustive but gives a flavour of the wide range of cases that the successful candidate will be handling. In all cases, the aim is to achieve the best possible result in the best interests of the person represented.

The work of the team is fast-paced, and the subject matter can be challenging, including graphic descriptions of abuse and neglect. The post holder will be responsible for the supervision and, in more complex matters, case management of the full range of cases held by the team. The key elements of the role include the management of a diverse personal caseload, the provision of timely and proportionate advice and training to a team of lay case managers, engaging with stakeholders (including members of the legal profession, the judiciary and experts across a number of disciplines) and adding value to the team’s legal work by identifying and acting on legal developments and risks.

The successful candidate will be expected to take on the full spectrum of Civil Litigation cases. In addition, the Official Solicitor is committed to ensuring flexibility of her resources so the successful candidate may also be expected to take on cases in other jurisdictions, primarily the Court of Protection, as needed.

Skills and Qualities:  

In particular, we are looking for the following legal professional skills:

•    Knowledge and experience (whether academic or in practice) of the Civil Procedure Rules is crucial and knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act would be an advantage;
•    Experience and a sound understanding of costs in civil litigation matters; 
•    Sound understanding of public law;
•    Reliable legal judgement and appreciation of legal risk;
•    The ability to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly;
•    Sound analysis, using secure legal research to produce timely and fit for purpose advice;
•    The ability to communicate advice effectively both in writing and orally.
•    Good understanding of the role of lawyers in government.

If you would like to discuss the Civil Litigation Lawyer role, or work of the team/office in more detail you can do so by contacting the Senior Civil Litigation Lawyer, Susan Hardie by email susan.hardie2@ospt.gov.uk or by phone on 07827367284 or Catherine Deveson by email  catherine.deveson@ospt.gov.uk or by phone 07583681184 

The Healthcare and Welfare Post: 

The Official Solicitor’s Healthcare and Welfare team manages healthcare and welfare cases in the Court of Protection in which the Official Solicitor acts as litigation friend. In a limited number of cases she is also called upon to act as Advocate to the court. In welfare cases the Official Solicitor retains external solicitors to act for the vulnerable client and the lawyer will be required to provide instructions as to the client’s best interests and the relevant law, practice and procedure. In serious medical treatment cases, the work is conducted in house and the cases are  fast moving and time critical  and the lawyer will be expected to instruct specialist counsel as well as independent experts. He or she will also liaise with the client and family and friends to ascertain wishes and feelings and to report back to the court. The lawyer will also be required to provide guidance and supervision to non-legally trained case managers and advise the Official Solicitor herself when called upon to do so. The work of the team is specialised, and the cases are fast paced and can be high profile. Many are before High Court Judges and reported. The post holder will manage a personal caseload of both welfare and serious medical treatment cases. 

Skills & Qualities: 

The vacancy will give a lawyer the opportunity of involvement in a challenging and rewarding caseload of healthcare and welfare matters. The post holder must be a qualified lawyer and will be expected to have the usual specialist legal competencies and in particular will need to be able to deliver high quality legal work in the best interest of the vulnerable party, maintaining effective relationships with the judiciary, legal profession and other external bodies.

The post holder will be expected to have litigation experience and experience of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and practice and procedure in Court of Protection welfare work including the relevant court rules and practice directions. Knowledge of the Mental Health Act 1983 would also be of assistance but is not essential. 

If you would like to discuss the Healthcare and Welfare Lawyer role, or work of the team/office in more detail you can do so by contacting the Senior Healthcare and Welfare Lawyer, Janet Ilett by email  janet.ilett@ospt.gov.uk or by phone 07966 367022

It is essential that you have experience of using Microsoft computer packages

You will be required to provide evidence of the following behaviours under the success profile (technical skills may also be tested at interview)

•    Making Effective Decisions (Lead)
•    Delivering at Pace
•    Communicating and Influencing
•    Working Together
•    Seeing the Big Picture

We can offer;

•    flexible and smarter working options 
•    apprenticeships and development opportunities. 

The OSPT is based at 102 Petty France, London, but the successful candidate does not have to be London-based. We currently operate a hybrid working arrangement. This means that 40% of the working week is office based. The successful candidate will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. 

This is an exciting and interesting area of work which offers unique challenges and provides great openings for continuous learning.  

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

Salary

The national salary range is £51,767 - £59,590, London salary range is £55,720 - £64,135 Your salary will be dependent on your base location

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

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). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on ‘modernised’ terms in their current post or onto ‘unmodernised’ MoJ terms if they are on ‘unmodernised’ terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

• 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 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.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.