Criminal Injuries Compensation
Lawyer (Ref: 19488)
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Lawyer (Ref: 19488)
Grade 7 Lawyer – Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)
Location: Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow, G5 8AQ Working Model: Hybrid (50% office, 50% remote)
About the Role
As a Grade 7 Lawyer, you will join the Legal and Policy Directorate at the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. CICA processes over 40,000 annual claims from victims of violent crime, including those affected by sexual assault, violence, and loss of life. Your role will ensure legal consistency, provide strategic guidance, and support victims through a compassionate, trauma-informed compensation system.
The work involves handling sensitive, sometimes distressing cases. To ensure staff resilience, training is provided to support wellbeing and emotional resilience.
Key Responsibilities
Litigation
- Conduct complex judicial review claims in higher courts, representing CICA in legal proceedings.
- Draft court submissions, coordinate with counsel, and oversee higher court and tribunal-related litigation.
- Liaise with the Government Legal Department, the Office of the Advocate General, and the Ministry of Justice, ensuring multidisciplinary legal support.
- Procure external legal services, including reviewing/updating templates (e.g., for Trusts and special schemes).
- Strengthen CICA’s corporate legal compliance and statutory guidance.
Legal Advisory
- Provide high-quality legal advice on:
- Criminal Injuries Compensation Schemes (including 2012 and pre-statutory schemes)
- Judicial review claims
- Trust establishment & Terms and Conditions
- Data protection & freedom of information considerations
- Respond to external inquiries promptly, anticipating risks and providing practical solutions.
- Review/approve public guidance, ensuring accuracy and clarity.
- Advise policy/operations teams and contribute to Ministerial briefings.
- Address Parliamentary Questions, MP correspondence, and complaints.
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Corporate Leadership & Team Development
- Lead the Legal Team as part of CICA’s Senior Leadership Group, reporting directly to the Director of Legal & Policy Services.
- Develop legal training and policy improvement initiatives within the department.
- Forge cross-departmental relationships (policy, operations, stakeholders) to ensure legal alignment with corporate objectives.
- Inspire a high-performance culture through strategic direction and performance management.
- Supervise juniors/trainees, ensuring coaching and compliance with professional standards.
- Guide Presenting Officers who represent CICA at First-tier Tribunal appeals.
- Deputise for the Director as necessary.
Essential Criteria
- Qualified solicitor (or near-qualified, requiring completion within 3 months), practising in Scotland/England and Wales, or a returning solicitor eligible for practising certification.
- Strong written communication skills (clear, concise judicial drafting, correspondence, and policy guidance).
- Deep understanding of:
- Public law and judicial review challenges
- Criminal law, trust law, data protection (including DPA/GDPR), and freedom of information
- Analytical acumen with proven case law interpretation and legislative application.
- Time management & prioritisation skills under pressure.
- Independent yet collaborative work ethic, capable of balanced decision-making.
- Client-focused mentality—empatising with victims and operational constraints.
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Desirable Experiences
- Experience with judicial review litigation (Court of Session or Upper Tribunal).
- Direct experience with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (prior to/after 2012 reforms).
- Exposure to administrative tribunals and decision-making frameworks.
Other Duties
- Flexibility to handle additional tasks allocated by management, aligned with the role’s responsibilities.
Requirements for Candidates
- Must hold or be eligible for a practising certificate with the Law Society of Scotland or England & Wales.
- Will be subject to security checks, including:
- Criminal record clearance
- Baseline Personnel Security Standard (PSS) checks
- UK/EU/Commonwealth eligibility for the Civil Service (see eligibility guide).
What We Offer
- Base Salary: £58,511
- Enhanced pension contribution: £16,950 to the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
- Flexible working arrangements (hybrid model, benefits for work-life balance).
- Learning & development support.
- Impartiality & merit-based recruitment per Civil Service Codes.
- Diversity & inclusion initiatives, including the Veterans Initiative.
- Standard Civil Service benefits:
- Season Ticket Loan (STL)
- Civil Service pension (employer contributes 28.97%)
- 25 days’ annual leave plus public holidays
Selection Process
- Success Profiles Assessment to evaluate:
- Behaviours (leadership, decision-making, influencing).
- Strengths & Experience (aligned to criteria).
- Invitation to interview/assessment.
Feedback: Only provided if shortlisted for interview.
Note: Selection is based on fit-to-role merit and fairness under Civil Service recruitment standards.
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