Sorry, this vacancy is no longer available.

Primary Function

Reporting to the In-House Legal Manager, the post holder is responsible for:

• Providing a comprehensive service of legal advice in respect of police regulations and pensions, including ill-health retirement and injury on duty awards, to National and Regional Federation officers, representatives and other departments of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW);
• Assisting with the implementation of a legal strategy that ensures a consistent approach to the provision of PFEW legal advice and support;
• Designing and delivering in-house training on legal issues appropriate to the role.

Responsibilities and Duties

Technical Responsibilities

• Provide a first-stage analysis of requests for advice/funding /support to enable the PFEW Claims departments to decide which cases should be funded;
• Answer relevant queries from PFEW National and Regional Federation officers and representatives;
• Work in collaboration with PFEW’s Policy Support department to provide legal advice and support, including drafting circulars, letters, instructions to Counsel and other relevant documents;
• Develop and maintain an effective working relationship with the Claims departments and decision makers;
• In conjunction with the PFEW’s Learning and Development department and appropriate committees, contribute to the training and education of representatives on regulatory and pension matters, ensuring that such training is updated in light of current case law and legislation;
• Contribute to the PFEW’s response to Government Consultations on regulations, pensions and injury scheme proposals,;
• In conjunction with the PFEW’s Policy Support department, and others, contribute to a legal database which includes legal advice and relevant case decisions;
• Provide input regarding in-house legal and Claims department operations and strategy;
• Review and advise upon proposals and policies of partner organisations where these impact on the PFEW’s members.

Other Responsibilities

• Assist the National Secretary’s office with any internal queries from members on an as required basis;
• Reviewing legal advice obtained from counsel and external solicitors.

These duties and responsibilities are not exhaustive and may be changed from time to time in line with the requirements of the PFEW.                                                                                                                              

Person Specification

The role can be home-based, with occasional travel to PFEW’s offices in Leatherhead, Surrey.

It is essential that the post holder has:

• Professional legal qualification and evidence of continuing professional development;
• Post-qualification experience in regulatory and/or pension law for at least 2 years;
• Knowledge of police regulations, particularly The Police Regulations 2003;
• Knowledge of police pension regulations (or alternatively, firefighters or public sector pension regulations) and associated case law;
• Understanding and awareness of ill-health retirement and injury on duty processes and of the various appeal arrangements, including relevant court procedures;
• The ability to assess the cost/merit/benefit of cases;
• An understanding of the police staff association role;
• The ability to plan and prioritise work;
• The ability to make complex legal matters accessible to non-lawyers through written and oral communication;
• A collaborative and positive attitude towards working as a team with both legally and non-legally trained colleagues;
• Good research skills;
• Necessary experience to be self-sufficient in computer and other associated administration.