The Undercover Policing Inquiry invites applications from members of the bar with a public law practice to join the Inquiry Legal Team. Applicants should be on or have similar experience (over ten years of advocacy experience) to, the Attorney General’s ‘A Panel’ and will be paid at the rate of £120 per hour.
The Undercover Policing Inquiry was established to investigate and report on undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces in England and Wales since 1968. The Inquiry will examine the contribution undercover policing has made to tackling crime, how it was and is supervised and regulated, and its effect on individuals involved - both police officers and others who came into contact with them. For our terms of reference and more information about our work visit our website at ucpi.org.uk
Successful applicants will need to agree to submit to vetting for security clearance if this is not currently held. Subject to successfully passing clearance, they would be contacted when a suitable vacancy on the Inquiry Legal Team arises with an offer to join the team. An average minimum 25 hours per week is required.
Candidates should be able to assess and evaluate large volumes of material quickly and identify legal issues within the context of a public inquiry. Candidates must have strong written and verbal communication skills and be able to display sound legal judgment and strategic thinking. A good understanding of the work of a public inquiry is an advantage, as is some exposure to handling sensitive material in legal proceedings.
Essential Skills
- Public law practitioner with over ten years of advocacy experience.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Sound legal judgment and strategic thinking.
- Ability to assess and evaluate complex material to reach clear and logical decisions.
- Strong team working skills.
Desirable Skills
- Exposure to handling highly classified material in legal proceedings.
- A good understanding of the work of a public inquiry.
Main Duties
Inquiry work can vary from week to week, and the role will necessarily require some flexibility. However, the main duties are likely to include:
- Advising on public law issues as they arise in conjunction with Leading Counsel to the Inquiry.
- Appearing for the Inquiry in public law proceedings.
- Playing a leading role in the Inquiry’s Tranche 4 investigation into the National Public Order Intelligence Unit developing an in-depth knowledge of the evidence and issues and working closely with the tranche solicitor and Tranche 4 team.
- Drafting more demanding rule 9 requests for evidence.
- Appearing for the Inquiry at restriction order hearings and ancillary work.
- Appearing for the Inquiry at the Tranche 4 evidential hearings.
Conflict of interest: Current or previous employment or work within the policing field, or for associated bodies, or on policing or associated policy within the Civil Service (or wider) may constitute a conflict of interest given the work of the Inquiry. Any potential conflicts of interest which could affect the independence of the Inquiry should be declared at the time of application and will then be assessed.
Location: Due to the sensitive nature of the material the inquiry deals with, successful candidates would be required to work at secure central London offices.
Application Process
If you wish to apply for this position, please submit your interest in writing comprising of:
• A statement of suitability of no more than one side of A4 in Arial 11 point, summarising your suitability for the role, using the skills and responsibilities above as a guide; and
• An up-to-date CV.
Applications must be sent by 23:59hrs on 19th June 2022 to the following email address: Recruitment@ucpinquiry.org.uk
Please title your email “Expressions of Interest – First Junior Role”. Successful applicants will be invited to interviews taking place in w/c 4th July 2022. Should you have any questions about this opportunity or the application process please contact the Solicitor to the Inquiry by email, Paul Bishop Paul.Bishop@ucpinquiry.org.uk
