Legal Counsel, Employment Litigation

Centrica Plc; Windsor; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Legal Counsel specializing in Employment Litigation to join their dynamic team. This role involves managing Employment Tribunal claims, providing expert legal advice, and ensuring compliance with Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules. The successful candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, working closely with various stakeholders and contributing to innovative solutions in employment law. With a commitment to personal growth and a supportive workplace culture, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in a forward-thinking organization.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Support for personal and professional development

Wellbeing initiatives

Family support programs

Qualifications

• Significant experience in running Employment Tribunal claims in the UK.
• Ability to explain complex legal principles to internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver all aspects of Centrica’s response to Employment Tribunal claims.
• Identify and implement systems needed for in-house employment litigation.

Skills

UK Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules

Employment Tribunal litigation

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Education

Qualified solicitor with UK practicing certificate

Tools

AI tools

Job description

Join us, be part of more.

We’re so much more than an energy company. We’re a family of brands revolutionising how we power the planet. We're energisers. One team of 21,000 colleagues that's energising a greener, fairer future by creating an energy system that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, whilst living our powerful commitment to igniting positive change in our communities. Here, you can find more purpose, more passion, and more potential. That’s why working here is #MoreThanACareer. We do energy differently - we do it all. We make it, store it, move it, sell it, and mend it.

We have a fantastic new opportunity for a Legal Counsel, Employment Litigation to join our Legal, Regulatory Affairs, Ethics & Compliance, and Secretariat Function (LRECS). LRECS focusses on providing a diverse and inclusive environment with a strong emphasis on wellbeing and delivering opportunities for growth and personal development.

This is a new role created primarily to manage and run the Employment Tribunal claims arising from the Centrica Group companies in the UK. It will form part of an existing team of 3 Employment Lawyers who deliver commercially focused, risk-based specialist employment advice to all UK business units and group functions across the Centrica group.

Location: With our Flexible First working arrangements we empower our colleagues to work in a way that best suits them – meaning location doesn’t need to be a barrier. The successful candidate will, however, need to be comfortable commuting to our Windsor office on a weekly basis and on some occasions, more frequently.

What will you do?

• Identify and co-ordinate the implementation of systems/processes and creation of precedents needed to undertake employment litigation in-house (Note: currently our claims are all outsourced to our external advisers).
• Be the subject matter expert on Employment Tribunal litigation, maintaining a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules.
• Manage and deliver all aspects of Centrica’s response to Employment Tribunal claims, such as drafting pleadings and witness statements, managing disclosure, preparing risk assessments, making appropriate applications, preparing for preliminary hearings, final hearings and Judicial Mediations, negotiating settlement of claims as appropriate, liaising with Centrica’s Employee Relations team and managers, instructing and liaising with Counsel for hearings.
• Build and manage relationships with Counsel’s Chambers and seek to negotiate advantageous rates.
• Explore and keep track of relevant AI developments and actively participate in any LRECS trials of AI tools.

Here's what we’re looking for:

• A Qualified solicitor with a UK or equivalent practicing certificate with significant relevant PQE experience.
• Thorough and up to date knowledge and understanding of the UK Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules and significant experience of running Employment Tribunal claims in the UK, either in private practice or in-house.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal principles to a variety of internal stakeholders.
• A strong team-player with the ability to be effective working alone and at pace, with competing deadlines.

• Confident and effective stakeholder management and ability to work effectively with the other Employment lawyers, the Employee Relations team and business leaders as well as nervous witnesses.
• Excellent presentation skills with the willingness to deliver training.

#LI-PG1

Why should you apply?

We’re not a perfect place – but we’re a people place. Our priority is supporting all of the different realities our people face. Life is about so much more than work. We get it. That’s why we’ve designed our total rewards to give you the flexibility to choose what you need, when you need it, making sure that you and your family are supported not only financially, but physically and emotionally too. Visit the link below to discover why we’re a great place to work and what being part of more means for you.

https://www.morethanacareer.energy/centrica

If you're full of energy, fired up about sustainability, and ready to craft not only a better tomorrow, but a better you, then come and find your purpose in a team where your voice matters, your growth is non-negotiable, and your ambitions are our priority.

Help us, help you. We would love for you to share any information about yourself throughout our recruitment process so that we can better understand you and help shape your journey.