Principal Legal Officer G7

Job description

The Crown Solicitor is engaged exclusively in legal work for the public service. The Office has a statutory duty to provide legal services to UK Government Ministers, departments and agencies, and a discretion to provide legal services to other public bodies and public officers (such as the Chief Constable of the Police Service for Northern Ireland). The Crown Solicitor is also the nominee for the Treasury Solicitor in relation to bona vacantia property in Northern Ireland. The Crown Solicitor is appointed as an independent statutory office holder and is accountable to the Advocate General for Northern Ireland for the exercise of his/her statutory functions. The Crown Solicitor is supported in the discharge of these functions by legal and administrative staff provided for that purpose by the NI Civil Service’s Department of Finance. The Crown Solicitor deals with some of the most complex and high-profile legal cases in Northern Ireland, with a strong focus on litigation. Joining CSO offers an exciting opportunity to consolidate and further develop the expertise we offer our clients across a wide and varied range of legal services including inquests and civil claims relating to the legacy of Northern Ireland’s troubled past, non-legacy related inquests and civil claims, judicial reviews frequently involving complex constitutional issues, extradition, immigration, employment matters and debt recovery. The postholders will work within a supportive team to deliver client focused legal services to clients across the County Court, High Court, various tribunals and the UK Supreme Court. With a challenging and varied caseload, a focus on staff development and close links with the Government Legal Service of NI and Government Legal Department in Whitehall, a role in CSO gives talented lawyers an opportunity to build a satisfying and rewarding career, making a difference in the public service.

Responsibilities

• Advising on litigation working collaboratively with the client and Counsel drafting pleadings and other documents; assembling instructions to Counsel, and instructing Counsel at consultations and in hearings.
• Undertaking legally complex litigation casework including inquests and inquiries and providing support to Public Inquiries and to clients participating in inquiries.
• Supporting negotiations and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mediation processes. Researching, analysing and providing written and oral advice on complex legal matters including employment law.
• Reading and familiarisation with voluminous civil litigation documentation. Consulting with and corresponding with witnesses and other participants in civil claims and/or their legal representatives.
• Pursuing requests for documentation and other evidence relevant to the scope of the civil claims. Advising clients on the disclosure of documents and attending with witnesses, liaising with witnesses re preparation for civil claims.
• Briefing and liaising with Counsel re hearings and assisting witnesses in preparing for oral hearings
• Follow up action points arising in the run up to and during the oral hearings. Assisting with submissions and reading and commenting on draft documents.
• Undertaking any other tasks as necessary in support of our clients in the course of civil claims and as directed by the post holder’s line manager.
• Undertaking any other tasks as necessary in support of line manager The postholders will manage a caseload of litigation. Providing general advice to clients on ad-hoc matters.
• Accurately recording time spent working on cases in accordance with the Crown Solicitor’s Time. Recording and Billing Performance targets and complying with associated policies and guidance regarding charging and time recording.
• Managing client relationships.
• Participating as a member of relevant CSO committees, working groups or transformation initiatives and contributing to delivery of the Crown Solicitor’s strategic objectives and CSO’s corporate life.
• Managing resources efficiently to ensure value for money and effective service delivery.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applicants must, by the closing date for applications: Be qualified as a barrister or solicitor entitled to practice in Northern Ireland.
• And hold a practicing certificate OR be in a position to become so entitled by the date of appointment.
• AND Have at least 3 years substantial post qualification experience of advising, orally and in writing on significant legal issues; and doing so in a complex environment.
• Where a substantial component of the work is in two or more of the following areas:
• Extradition
• Judicial Review
• High Court/County Court Civil Litigation
• Employment litigation
• Public Inquiries
• Inquests
• Taken from date on which candidate name was entered onto the Role of Solicitors or the completion of their pupillage for a Barrister.
• Complex environment is defined as one involving matters that: are controversial; and involve political or national security interests; or involve conflicting interests within or between organisations; or engage the public interest.
• Substantial post qualification experience means that at least 50% of time in a given period was spent on these types of work.
• AND Demonstrate evidence of post qualification experience of collaborating with clients, other members of the legal team and/or other professionals to achieve improved outcomes through teamwork.

Desirable Skills

• In addition, applicants should be aware that after an eligibility sift, should it be necessary to shortlist candidates to go forward to interview,
• The Panel will carry out an objective evaluation of the information provided by candidates in response to Eligibility Criteria 2.
• This will be completed on a scored basis with only those who meet the shortlisting benchmark proceeding to interview.

Further Information

NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 3rd July 2026 at 12 noon. Applications from Protestants, males, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer. ALL APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT ARE CONSIDERED STRICTLY ON THE BASIS OF MERIT.

Application Information

Visit the recruitment service website (Please quote reference number: IRC326935)