31834 - Senior Lawyer - Water Industry Enforcement Team

Environment Agency; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental environmental agency in the UK is seeking a qualified legal professional to manage a caseload focused on environmental law. The role involves advising on civil sanctions and providing staff training. Ideal candidates will be solicitors or barristers with experience in criminal law, particularly regarding environmental legislation. Flexible working patterns are encouraged.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister, or equivalent with rights of audience.
• Experience in complex criminal cases, preferably in environmental law.
• Knowledge of statutory and enforcement powers.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage caseload supporting the Water Industry Enforcement Team.
• Advise on civil sanctions and regulatory responses.
• Provide training to staff on disclosure requirements.

Skills

Knowledge of criminal law

Experience in prosecution

Ability to advise on regulatory responses

Education

Qualified solicitor or barrister

Job description

Overview

The Environment Agency’s legal team conducts criminal proceedings and advises on all matters relevant to enforcing environmental requirements. They also advise on the imposition of civil sanctions such as enforcement undertakings and variable monetary penalties. In this role you will have the opportunity to own an interesting caseload and make a valuable contribution to supporting our commitment to improving the performance of the Water Industry.

We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

The team

The roles will be based in the Water Industry Enforcement Team, which is part of the wider Enforcement and Prosecution team within Legal and Audit Services.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage an interesting caseload in support of the Water Industry Enforcement Team’s objectives.
• Advise on the use of civil sanctions in place of criminal proceedings and on the appropriate regulatory response to environmental offending.
• Provide training to staff on disclosure requirements and the use of statutory and enforcement powers.

Qualifications and experience

• You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or equivalent (FILEX with rights of audience in criminal proceedings).
• Ideally have experience as a prosecutor or defence lawyer in complex criminal cases concerning breaches of environmental legislation or other complex areas of criminal and regulatory law.
• Sound knowledge of criminal law, practice and procedure, and experience as a criminal advocate with trial experience in the Magistrates’ Court.
• Experience of preparing complex cases for trial and sentencing in the Crown Court.
• You may also be a higher rights advocate, but this is not a requirement for the role.
• You will understand the Environment Agency’s ability to use civil sanctions and will have the ability to advise on the right regulatory response to environmental offending.