Job Description

Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

About the role

Civil Litigation Lawyer - (Joint Legal Services)

Are you an experienced Civil Litigations Lawyer looking to apply your expertise within a public service environment?

As part of Joint Legal Services, you'll provide expert legal advice and representation across a broad range of civil litigation matters, supporting both West Midlands Police and Staffordshire Police. You'll manage a varied and complex caseload of claims made against our clients, including false imprisonment, misfeasance, malicious prosecution, wrongful arrest, Human Rights Act claims and the associated risk management issues.

Working as part of a collaborative legal team, you'll represent the organisation in legal proceedings where required, work alongside external Counsel and provide clear, pragmatic legal advice to clients and stakeholders. This is a varied opportunity for a lawyer who enjoys managing complex cases, building trusted relationships and applying their expertise in a role which contributes to public service.

Key responsibilities

As Civil Litigation Lawyer, you'll:

• Provide specialist legal advice across a varied and complex civil litigation caseload.
• Manage civil claims, including matters involving false imprisonment, misfeasance, malicious prosecution, wrongful arrest and associated risk management issues.
• Advise and provide representation, including advocacy where required, in proceedings and hearings before relevant Courts and Tribunals.
• Draft legal documents and provide clear, timely legal advice to clients.
• Instruct and work alongside external legal services, including Counsel, where appropriate.
• Manage a complex caseload independently, providing advice and advocacy as required.
• Work collaboratively with lawyers, support staff, clients and other stakeholders across Joint Legal Services.
• Build effective working relationships while delivering a responsive, professional and high-quality legal service.

Who we're looking for

You'll be someone who enjoys working through complex legal issues and providing clear, pragmatic advice that enables confident decision-making. You'll be comfortable managing a varied caseload, balancing competing priorities and building trusted relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. You'll communicate complex legal matters in a clear and accessible way and take pride in a delivering professional, client-focused legal service.

You'll also bring:

• Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive.
• Experience handling complex and high-profile legal work with minimal supervision.
• Sound analytical skills and judgement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the credibility to work with senior clients.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience using case management or similar systems.

Experience within a public sector in-house legal environment, Judicial Reviews or Higher Rights Advocacy would be advantageous, although not essential.

Click here to view the full details of the role including the Essential, Desirable and any educational requirements for the role.

Why join us

Working within Joint Legal Services offers the opportunity to apply your legal expertise to complex and varied civil litigation matters that support policing across West Midlands and Staffordshire. You'll work alongside experience legal professionals in a collaborative environment, managing high-quality legal work while continuing to develop your own knowledge and expertise.

We offer agile working, with the ability to work from home where appropriate, alongside opportunities to build a rewarding legal career within public service.
Selection Process

The selection process for this role will consist of the following elements:

• Initial application
• Shortlisting
• In-person interview

Closing date: Sunday 13th September 2026, 23:59
Interview date: W/C Monday 28th September 2026

Important Information

Vetting: Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Security Clearance scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical: Appointment to this role will be dependent upon you successfully passing medical checks, which may if required include a drugs and hearing test.

Additional Information

Location: Lloyd House and Staffordshire Police Head Quarters

Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00-16:00, Hybrid working.

Contact: For further information please contact Careers@westmidlands.police.uk

Benefits Statement

By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:

• Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme.
• Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements.
• Discounts across travel, parking, daily costs of living and leisure activities.
• A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support, free eye tests and flu jabs
• Comprehensive benefits including pension, Blue Light Card, and employee assistance programme.
  
  

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions. As part of our commitment, we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.  It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

"Diversity and Inclusion Vision: Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities"

West Midlands Police is the second-largest police force in England, serving more than 2.9 million people across Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall. Every day, our people work together to keep our communities safe, protect vulnerable people, prevent crime and bring offenders to justice.

We answer more than 2,000 emergency calls every day and provide policing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whether responding to emergencies, supporting victims, investigating crime or working behind the scenes, every role plays a vital part in delivering an outstanding service to the public.

We're proud of the progress we've made in reducing crime, improving emergency response times and increasing arrest rates. These achievements are only possible because of the dedication, professionalism and expertise of our officers, staff and volunteers. As we continue to transform the way we police, we're looking for talented people who are committed to making a real difference.

Why Join West Midlands Police?

A career with West Midlands Police is about more than a job, it's an opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of people. Whatever your role, you'll contribute to keeping our communities safe while developing your own skills and career.

When you join us, you'll benefit from:

• Meaningful work that makes a difference every day.
• A diverse range of career opportunities across policing and professional support services.
• High-quality training, development and opportunities to progress.
• A supportive and inclusive working environment where everyone is encouraged to achieve their potential.
• Competitive pay, generous annual leave, excellent pension arrangements and a wide range of employee benefits.
• The opportunity to work alongside dedicated colleagues who share a common purpose.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We believe that a diverse workforce helps us better understand and serve the communities we protect. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to succeed.

As a Disability Confident Leader, the highest level of the Government's Disability Confident scheme, we are committed to removing barriers to employment and supporting disabled applicants and employees throughout their careers. Through our Disability Confident Interview Scheme, applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for a role will normally be offered an interview, subject to the scheme's terms and any recruitment constraints.

Our Diversity and Inclusion Vision is to maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness, respect and inclusion, enabling us to deliver the best possible service to our communities.

Professional Standards

Working in policing is a position of trust. Our officers and staff are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability. Successful applicants will be subject to appropriate vetting and are expected to uphold the ethical standards and responsibilities that come with serving the public.

Recruitment and the Use of AI

We recognise that many candidates use AI tools to support activities such as proofreading and improving the presentation of written applications. This is acceptable, provided the content you submit accurately reflects your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Applications must be your own work. Any evidence of plagiarism, false or misleading information, or the inappropriate use of AI during assessments or selection activities where it is not permitted may result in your application being rejected.

Benefits

We know that supporting our people is essential to delivering the best service to our communities. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of employee benefits, wellbeing support and development opportunities to help you thrive throughout your career.

Visit our Benefits page to find out more about the rewards and support available when you join West Midlands Police.