Our specialist Police Claims team acts 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 and the only “Chambers and Partners” Band 1 ranked defendant police law team, our lawyers have been involved in some of the most high-profile and significant cases involving the police service over the last 20+ years.

We are recruiting for a Solicitor to join our Police Claims team in Liverpool or Manchester.  This is a hybrid working role; you will be expected to attend either the Liverpool or Manchester office at least 2-3 days each week, to meet the business need.

 Acting on behalf of various police forces you will run a caseload of pre-litigated and litigated claims as well as assisting other fee earners.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Specialise in acting on behalf of police forces, claims handlers and insurers in the defence of civil actions against the police.
• Manage a caseload of pre-litigated and litigated civil claims (such as claims for false imprisonment, trespass, battery and Human Rights Act claims) as well as employer’s liability claims.
• Communicate effectively with clients, opponents, co-defendants, insurers, experts, and counsel.
• Control diary and action lists and complete client MI procedures.
• Attend court hearings, including conducting your own advocacy where appropriate.
• Participate in business development and training.
• Support and mentor junior members of the team.
• Operate in accordance with client care standards.
• 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 and you will be expected to perform other duties and have other responsibilities that fall within the wider remit of the role. You will also ensure that you comply with relevant Weightmans' policies and procedures, and consistently work in accordance with the firm's values.
 
About You
You will be a qualified solicitor or legal executive. We also require you to have:

• Ideally, experience in defending civil claims although candidates with claimant experience will also be considered;
• Ability to undertake advocacy as required;
• Demonstrable knowledge of the CPR and litigation;
• Knowledge of police law (desirable but not essential);
• Excellent organisation skills;
• Excellent time management skills;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Excellent IT skills;
• Ability to work to strict deadlines and targets;
• Ability to work as part of a team or on your own initiative;
• Flexible approach to work and a willingness to travel where necessary.

If you meet our criteria and think that this is a role to which you could bring enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn, we will look forward to receiving your application.

Why work for us
Weightmans is a Top 40 law firm with offices throughout the UK. Having been recognised as the leading legal employer and 10th overall employer at the annual Britain's Top Employers awards 2024 and achieved record rankings in Chambers UK.

We are proud to be an accredited living wage employer.

Click here to find out more about industry recognition for excellence, through our achievements, awards and accreditations.

The independent research showed "Weightmans provides exceptional employee conditions, nurtures and develops talent throughout all levels of the organisation."

We are truly committed to fostering a culture of equality and diversity, where everyone in the firm is respected and recognised on merit for the work that they do.

We strongly encourage applications from people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations and disabilities. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustment at any stage of the application process.

Please feel free to note your preferred pronouns in your application.

Work for a firm where people matter – work for Weightmans – We See the possibility in you.

As well as being immensely proud of the work we carry out for our clients and the culture we provide to our people we offer a wide range of benefits including;

•     28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rated for part time) / Lateral Hires will differ
•     Hybrid working including provision of home office equipment*
•     Healthcare cover/ Medicash
•     Pension plan
•     Life Insurance 4 x salary
•     Interest free travel loan scheme
•     Employee Assistance Programme including counselling, legal and consumer advice service
•     Discounted gym membership
•     Discounted dental scheme
•     Cycle to work scheme
•     Offers & discounts
•     Great reward and recognition scheme

*there are a small number of roles that cannot be performed from home, your Recruitment Adviser can confirm.

Please note
We encourage candidates to speak to us direct/apply direct for the opportunities we have available.   

Any reference to experience or PQE in our adverts or job descriptions is to be used as a guideline only. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and with different levels of experience who can demonstrate that they fulfil the requirements of the role.

The successful candidate appointed to this role will be subject to our standard background checking process, and any offer of employment made is conditional upon successful completion of those checks. Further details can be obtained from the Recruitment team.

We are open to part time/job share applicants.

Recruitment agencies (PSL /non-PSL)
Weightmans operates a strict 'preferred supplier list' (PSL) and is committed to working closely with the recruitment agencies that feature on that list. As such, Weightmans does not accept speculative or unsolicited CVs, profiles or any other introductions from both our PSL and non-PSL agencies.  If a PSL or non-PSL agency chooses to submit a speculative or unsolicited CV, profile or introduction without instruction from a member of Weightmans’ recruitment team, we will reserve the right to treat the introduction as a gift and contact the candidate directly without accepting or entering into the agency’s terms nor being liable for a recruitment fee.

Eligibility to work in the UK
Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment, or meet the Home office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.