Job Description

The Legal Services Directorate of Avon and Somerset Constabulary is offering an exciting opportunity for a lawyer who has a real interest in pursuing a career in an in-house police legal team. The team provides legal advice on a broad range of legal issues to the whole organisation including employment matters, civil litigation, civil injunctions and inquests. Applications are invited from all legal backgrounds as experience of policing, whilst advantageous, is not required.


We are looking for an individual who can offer an outstanding service and has a particular interest in civil litigation. You must show enthusiasm and aptitude for this area of work. You will manage and organise a caseload of pre litigated and litigated civil work under the supervision of the Senior Lawyer. Claims will involve Employers Liability, Public Liability and RTCs, unlawful arrest and false imprisonment. Experience in dealing with Inquests and Judicial Review is desirable but not essential.


We are a team which favours a strong skillset and enthusiasm over experience and you will be provided with the appropriate support to enable you to expand your existing knowledge, skills and experience. If you are eager to take the next step in your career and work in an inclusive environment, in a developing area of law where no one day is the same, we would welcome your application.

In this role, your main responsibilities are likely to include:

Investigating and case-managing pre-action and litigated civil claims. Providing legal advice and guidance on relevant civil matters identifying legal and reputational risk. Representing the client at Court hearings, Tribunals and within mediation and settlement meetings. Assisting the Senior Lawyers and Senior Leadership Team in the provision of legal advice and guidance.

Skills, Experience and Qualifications required:

You will need to be a qualified solicitor, Barrister or FCILEx / CILEx Lawyer with rights of audience in England and Wales or demonstrable experience of working in police law with rights of audience granted by the court and be actively studying to qualify as a Lawyer and have completed at least 12 months of a Training Contract or Qualifying Work Experience. Experience in at least one or more of the following areas: Civil Litigation, Employment, Human Rights, Police Operational Law, Judicial Review and Police Misconduct. Advocacy experience in at least one of the Magistrates, County Courts, Tribunals or Misconduct proceedings. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Previous experience of handling contentious matters generally. Ability to manage and organise own workload effectively. Ability to act under pressure and respond quickly to changing and conflicting demands. Demonstrate being able to work as part of a team, an eagerness to learn and develop and a broad range of legal skills. Good computer literacy skills including experience of common Microsoft packages. Excellent legal research and analytical skills.

Employee Rewards and Benefits:

Our employee rewards reflect our culture and go beyond just salary. We offer a comprehensive package of financial, lifestyle, and health benefits to support you at every stage of life and in the moments that matter. Our rewards include a pension scheme for financial security, occupational health services and an employee assistance program for health and wellbeing, and lifestyle perks such as gym memberships, online retail discounts, and savings on dining out.

Additional Information:

Following the shortlisting process in person interviews are scheduled to take place week commencing 11th August 2025 at Police Headquarters, Portishead.


To be eligible to apply for this role you must have a 5 year 'checkable history' in the UK - ideally this means that you would have been resident in the UK for the last 5 years.

About us

Diversity is a strength and individuality is an asset.

We recognise the benefit different life experience and perspectives can bring.

We are on a journey to become the most inclusive police force in the country.

Find out more about our benefits and culture

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Blended Working/ Hybrid Working

Avon and Somerset Police encourage flexible working where operationally possible.

This role has been identified as a blended role.

The successful candidate for this role will have the opportunity to work from home whilst also at a secondary work location, which will be a police premises. The successful applicant will have the option to discuss working arrangements with their line manager. All applicants must reside within the UK.

Important information before you commence an application (for external applicants)

You will require the following detail to complete this application form:

National Insurance Number Identification Detail e.g. passport Address information including proof Referee information Full employment history including dates and any qualifications you may have attained Tattoos - you will also be requested to provide photos and describe of any visible tattoos you have

If the role requires you to drive you will also be required to upload details from your full driving licence including photos.

Important information before you commence an application- for ALL applicants

The application system only remains active on a single page for a period of 60 minutes.


Please ensure you allow time to complete your application fully as part complete pages do not save.


If the role has evidence questions you may wish to save these remotely and paste your answers into the boxes at time of submission.