Senior Criminal Litigation Solicitor

Civic Recruitment Limited; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bi-Weekly Pay

Contract extension potential

Hybrid working

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking a seasoned Senior Lawyer - Criminal Litigation to join a Local Authority Legal Services team for a 3-month contract in Swindon. Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with extensive criminal litigation experience preferred.

You will advise officers, elected members, and partner organisations, handling high-profile cases and providing expert advocacy and strategic legal guidance in a fast-paced public sector environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a current practicing certificate.
• Extensive experience in criminal litigation.
• Advocacy experience in courts, tribunals, and regulatory hearings.
• Strong knowledge of criminal law and regulatory enforcement.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload independently.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert legal advice to officers, elected members, and client departments.
• Oversee a complex caseload involving criminal litigation and regulatory matters.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and amend legal documents and pleadings.
• Represent the Local Authority in Magistrates' Courts, Crown Courts, and tribunals.
• Advise on licensing, regulatory prosecutions, and data protection oversight.
• Attend committees and provide training to junior staff.

Skills

Criminal law

Advocacy

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Caseload management

Commercial awareness

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister

Job description

Swindon, United Kingdom | Posted on 13/10/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation. That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

Senior Lawyer - Criminal Litigation - 3 Month Contract

Local Authority | 3 Month Contract

Location: Swindon

Contract: 3 Month Contract

Hours: Full Time

Summary

We are seeking a seasoned Senior Lawyer - Criminal Litigation to join our Local Authority Legal Services team for a 3-month contract. This position is ideal for a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with extensive experience in criminal litigation, preferably within a Local Authority or public sector environment. The role involves managing a diverse portfolio of complex and high-profile cases, offering expert legal advice, advocacy, and representation on a broad spectrum of criminal and regulatory enforcement issues. You will work independently, advising officers, elected members, and partner organizations, while ensuring the delivery of effective, commercially driven legal services that safeguard the Local Authority's interests and reputation.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver expert legal advice, representation, and support to officers, elected members, and client departments.
  
• Oversee a complex caseload involving criminal litigation and regulatory enforcement.
  
• Conduct thorough legal research and provide practical solutions to intricate legal challenges.
  
• Draft, review, negotiate, and amend various legal documents, pleadings, notices, and correspondence.
  
• Serve as an advocate, representing the Local Authority in Magistrates' Courts, Crown Courts, Tribunals, Licensing Hearings, and other legal proceedings.
  
• Advise on criminal and regulatory matters, including Trading Standards, Food Safety, Licensing, Environmental Enforcement, and related prosecutions.
  
• Handle sensitive, high-profile, and contentious issues with professionalism and discretion.
  
• Provide guidance on appeals, judicial reviews, and higher court proceedings as needed.
  
• Attend and advise committees, sub-committees, working groups, and member meetings.
  
• Offer training, mentoring, and guidance to junior legal staff and support officers.
  
• Stay informed on relevant legislation, regulations, case law, and best practices.
  
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives, policy development, and modernization within Legal Services.
  
• Promote adherence to data protection, information governance, and professional standards.
  

Requirements

Requirements:

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a current practicing certificate.
  
• At least 2 years of post-qualification experience.
  
• Extensive experience in criminal litigation.
  
• Proven track record in advocacy within courts, tribunals, and regulatory hearings.
  
• Strong knowledge of criminal law, regulatory enforcement, and prosecution work.
  
• Experience advising on Trading Standards, Food Safety, Licensing, and other regulatory matters.
  
• Proficient in drafting, negotiation, and legal research.
  
• Ability to independently manage a complex caseload.
  
• Experience advising senior officers, elected members, and key stakeholders.
  
• Solid understanding of Local Authority governance and decision-making processes.
  
• Capable of working effectively under pressure and meeting tight deadlines.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Strong analytical skills and commercial awareness.
  
• Previous experience in Local Authority legal work.
  
• Advocacy experience across diverse criminal and regulatory proceedings.
  
• Experience attending and advising Licensing Committees.
  
• Experience handling judicial review proceedings and appeal work.
  
• Experience supervising trainees, legal assistants, or junior lawyers.
  

Additional

• Attendance at court hearings, committees, and meetings is required.
  
• Flexibility to work outside normal office hours as needed to meet service demands.
  
• Opportunity to engage in complex and high-profile criminal litigation matters.
  
• Hybrid working may be available, subject to service requirements.
  

What's on Offer?

• 3 Month Contract
  
• Full-Time Hours
  
• Bi-Weekly Pay
  
• High-profile and varied criminal litigation caseload.
  
• Opportunity to provide advocacy and strategic legal advice.
  
• Supportive Local Authority legal team.
  
• Potential for contract extension.
  

Ideal for candidates with experience as a Criminal Litigation Lawyer, Prosecutions Lawyer, Regulatory Lawyer, Senior Solicitor, Criminal Advocate, Litigation Solicitor, Local Government Lawyer, Trading Standards Lawyer, Licensing Lawyer, or Senior Legal Counsel.