Senior Lawyer - Water Industry Enforcement Team - 31834

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A public environmental agency in Birmingham seeks a Senior Lawyer for the Water Industry Enforcement Team. This role involves conducting criminal proceedings, advising on environmental regulations, and supporting the agency's efforts in compliantly enforcing laws. The ideal candidate will be a qualified solicitor or barrister with experience in complex criminal cases. The position offers opportunities for flexible working arrangements and values an inclusive workforce.

Benefits

Flexible working patterns

Inclusive workforce initiatives

Qualifications

• Qualified legal professional with rights of audience in criminal proceedings.
• Experience in complex criminal cases related to environmental legislation.
• Ability to prepare cases for trial in the Crown Court.

Responsibilities

• Conduct criminal proceedings and advise on enforcement matters.
• Train staff on disclosure requirements and statutory powers.
• Manage an interesting caseload supporting the Water Industry's performance.

Skills

Criminal law knowledge

Trial advocacy

Regulatory law understanding

Client communication

Education

Qualified solicitor or barrister

Job description

Overview

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Senior Lawyer - Water Industry Enforcement Team - 31834

Number of jobs available: 4

Region

• East of England
• North West
• South East
• South West
• West Midlands
• Yorkshire and the Humber

City/Town

• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Exeter
• Leeds
• Peterborough
• Reading
• Warrington

Grade

Staff Grade 6

Post Type

Permanent

Role Type

Legal Services

Working Pattern

Full Time

Salary Minimum

£52,929

Closing Date

05/10/2025, 23:55 hours

Job description attachment 1

Candidate pack

Security checks level

Basic Check

Job description

The diverse nature of the Environment Agency provides ever-evolving challenges for our legal teams. Our lawyers conduct criminal proceedings and advise on all matters relevant to the enforcement of environmental requirements. They also advise on the imposition of civil sanctions such as enforcement undertakings and variable monetary penalties. They provide training to staff on disclosure requirements and the use of various statutory and enforcement powers.

In this team 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.

Experience/skills required

You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or equivalent (FILEX with rights of audience in criminal proceedings) and ideally have experience as a prosecutor or defence lawyer of complex criminal cases concerning breaches of environmental legislation or other complex areas of criminal and regulatory law.

You will possess a sound knowledge of criminal law, practice and procedure and be an experienced criminal advocate with trial experience in the Magistrates\' Court. You will have experience of preparing complex cases for trial and sentence 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 in place of criminal proceedings and you will have the ability to advise upon the right regulatory response to environmental offending.

Competences

• Competence 1 – Achieves Results. Description: Defines and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
• Competence 2 – Focuses on Customers and Partners. Description: Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.
• Competence 3 – Illegal Activity Detection and Enforcement. Description: Uses intelligence to detect suspected illegal activities. Instigates and carries out enforcement action where illegal activities have been detected.

Role-specific professional membership requirements

Qualified solicitor, barrister or equivalent (FILEX with rights of audience in criminal proceedings) to work in England.

Important notes

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and 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.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit for more information.