Police Claims Senior Solicitor

About the team

Our Emergency Services team is one of the largest in the UK. We are brand leaders in services for police forces, with in‑depth expertise in all types of claims. We have considerable experience in handling sensitive and/or high‑profile claims and are equally skilled in managing the media attention that these cases sometimes attract. Our specialist practitioners act exclusively for the police service, representing a diverse range of Forces across England and Wales. As the largest dedicated police legal team in the country, our lawyers have been involved in some of the most high‑profile and significant cases involving the police service over the last 15 years.

The opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for a senior solicitor (4+ PQE) to join our national Casualty Police Claims team, based in Liverpool, Manchester, Leicester, Birmingham or Leeds. We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who have either police claims experience or Data Protection Act (DPA)/information law experience (e.g. DPA 2018, UK GDPR). Applicants with expertise in one of these areas will receive full support and training to develop their skills in the other, ensuring they can work effectively across both police litigation and data protection matters.

What you’ll be doing

• Act on behalf of various police forces, claims handlers and insurers in the defence of civil actions against the police.
• Manage a caseload of pre‑litigated and litigated civil ‘malfeasance’ claims (such as false imprisonment, trespass, malicious prosecution, and Human Rights Act claims) as well data breach claims and employer’s liability claims.
• Attend court hearings and conduct your own advocacy where appropriate.
• Liaise with solicitors, insurers, experts, counsel and clients.
• Control diaries and action lists and complete client MI (Management Information) procedures.
• Support and mentor junior team members.
• Assist the Team Manager and wider team with client development, training and networking.
• Satisfy standards of client care in accordance with guidelines and directions.
• Achieve financial and chargeable hours targets.
• Comply with relevant rules, policies and procedures.
• Keep up to date with legal developments.
• Work in accordance with Weightmans’ values.

This list is not intended to be exhaustive. You will be expected to perform other duties falling within the wider remit of the role and to comply with relevant Weightmans and client policies and procedures.