Litigation Lawyer Full Time NEW

We offer great flexible working opportunities, and have offices in Cardiff, London and York.Please be aware that this role can only be worked within England, Scotland or Wales and not overseas.Travel within England and Wales will be required on an occasional basis, possibly with overnight stays.Job SummaryThe Food Standards Agency (FSA) is a non-ministerial department with over 1,600 staff, dedicated to protecting public health and consumers’ interests in food across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Our vision is to deliver “food you can trust” and to support a healthier, more sustainable food system.Our legal team is central to achieving these aims, providing expert support across criminal and civil litigation, regulatory matters, and judicial reviews. We are seeking a Litigation Lawyer to join us and contribute to this important work.In this role, you will manage a varied caseload, including public law litigation, regulatory challenges, and judicial review proceedings. You will provide legal advice and analysis, manage appeals in the First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal, and Magistrates’ Court, and offer feedback on cases to help the FSA continually improve its procedures and practices. Your work will help ensure the FSA is able to represent its interests effectively and protect the public at every turn.Job DescriptionWe are looking for someone with experience in public law litigation, who can demonstrate sound legal judgment and work effectively both independently and as part of a team. You will have the opportunity to use your skills in litigation, research, and legal analysis to make a positive impact on food safety and public health. Experience with judicial review proceedings is essential, as you will play a key role in supporting the FSA’s response to these complex and high-profile cases.If you are interested in joining a team that values collaboration and expertise, and you are committed to supporting the FSA’s mission, we encourage you to apply for this role. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your legal career while making a tangible difference to the wellbeing of consumers across the UK.We look forward to receiving your application.Working pattern guidanceIf applying as a job share partnership you should both complete separate application forms on Civil Service Jobs but should make it clear that you are applying as job sharers. Further details on job sharing can be found here JSF – What is the recruitment process for job sharers? , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)Due to the nature of the role, we are unable to consider requests for part time working.We are looking for someone with experience in public law litigation, who can demonstrate sound legal judgment and work effectively both independently and as part of a team. You will have the opportunity to use your skills in litigation, research, and legal analysis to make a positive impact on food safety and public health. Experience with judicial review proceedings is essential, as you will play a key role in supporting the FSA’s response to these complex and high-profile cases.If you are interested in joining a team that values collaboration and expertise, and you are committed to supporting the FSA’s mission, we encourage you to apply for this role. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your legal career while making a tangible difference to the wellbeing of consumers across the UK.We look forward to receiving your application.Working pattern guidanceIf applying as a job share partnership you should both complete separate application forms on Civil Service Jobs but should make it clear that you are applying as job sharers. Further details on job sharing can be found here JSF – What is the recruitment process for job sharers? , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)Due to the nature of the role, we are unable to consider requests for part time working.Person specificationPlease read the attached Candidate Pack to discover further details about the role, our organisation, who we are looking for and the criteria we will assess against during the selection process.We look forward to receiving your application and wish you every success.QualificationsQualifications:You must be qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales.You must have completed a training contract/pupillage/qualifying employment or have been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx. (Full details can be found in the Candidate Pack)(Please ensure full details are included in the Technical section of your application)BehavioursWe’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:Managing a Quality ServiceMaking Effective DecisionsDelivering at PaceCommunicating and InfluencingTechnical skillsWe’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:Please provide evidence of how you meet the Technical qualification criteria specified in the role Candidate Pack and advertisement – in particular CILEX modules undertaken (if relevant).Alongside your salary of £61,608, Food Standards Agency contributes £17,847 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Our candidate pack details the benefits that the FSA has to offer. Please also refer to the attached Terms and Conditions statement.Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.Full details of the selection process are detailed in the attached candidate pack.Application and shortlistingYou will be asked to provide personal details (not seen by the Panel) and to confirm your eligibility to apply for the role.Technical (Lead criteria 1): You will be asked a question to confirm that you meet the Technical requirements of the role.You must be qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales. You must have completed a training contract/pupillage/qualifying employment or have been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx. Chartered Legal Executives are eligible to apply only if: they hold a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD);or they have completed the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE; or they have passed exams (i.e. a score of 50% or above achieved),at Level3 in all of the core seven foundation subjects in law. and have a level 6 qualification. If you cannot answer yes to this question – you will not be able to proceed further with your application. (You will need to provide full details in the Technical section later in the application)You will then be asked to complete an application which will be used to assess you against the following essential criteria.ExperienceEssential criteria assessed at siftLead criteria: Sound understanding and demonstrated experience and skills in public law litigation in a civil context in particular Judicial Review experience, with the ability to work autonomously and lead on own work. Experience of drafting court documents e.g. witness statements, directions and consent orders and of instructing, briefing and liaising with Counsel and participating in case conferences as well as solid experience of prioritising competing deadlines. Experience of exercising reliable legal judgement including: recognising and assessing legal risk; being able to identify evidential deficiencies and advise on further evidential requirements to solve them as well as dealing with the duty of candour; leading on and advising in respect of negotiation of settlements with other parties. Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively, and in identifying cross-cutting legal issues in their wider context and advising accordingly. Demonstrated sound analysis and legal research skills, necessary to deliver accurate and timely legal advice and representation. Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrable experience of building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to achieve corporate priorities and to ensure effective and successful outcomes, including the ability to communicate in a clear, honest way in order to deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity, being persuasive when required. Desirable criteria assessed at sift Experience5 or more years post qualification experience Criminal prosecution experience Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie between candidates.Lead Criteria: An initial sift will take place on lead criteria 1. If successful, you will progress to lead criteria sift 2. If successful at lead criteria 2 you will progress to full sift on all remaining criteria.In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the minimum pass mark for either Lead criteria may be raised at shortlisting stage. Candidates who apply under the DCS, GPTW or RIS schemes and meet the minimum requirements will be unaffected by the pass mark raise.InterviewIf successful at shortlisting stage, you will be invited to a final interview in which we will assess you against the following Experience and Strengths requirements of the role and Civil Service Behaviours.BehavioursManaging a Quality Service Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing Full details of the positive indicators being assessed for each Behaviour can be found in the Candidate Pack.ExperienceExperience in public law litigation, with significant experience in civil litigation and Judicial Review. (Assessed via assessment exercise to be completed in the 24 hours prior to interview and interview questions) StrengthsWe will also assess you against a number of Civil Service Strengths – these are not disclosed prior to interview.Assessment exerciseAs part of the interview process, you will be asked to undertake a case study / briefing exercise. Details of arrangements for the case study/briefing exercise will be included in the invitation to interview. Expected TimelineAdvert closes: 25 May 2026 (23:55)Sift: Expected to take place from 26 May 2026Final panel interview: Expected to take place during week commencing 15 June 2026Interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams. (If you do not have the Microsoft Teams application installed on your computer, you can join on the web without installing the application).Please note that indicated dates may be subject to change.Childcare VouchersAny move to the Food Standards Agency from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.ukReserve ListA reserve list will be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made.Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.Visa SponsorshipPlease note that the FSA does not offer visa sponsorship and cannot provide advice on visa applicationsMaking a complaintThe law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.If you feel your application has not been treated fairly in accordance with the principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should email the FSA’s Director of People at jo.bushnell@food.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you can contact the Civil Service CommissionFeedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:UK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.Diversity and InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicantsJob Contact :Name : Gurwinder OliveEmail : Gurwinder.Olive@food.gov.ukRecruitment teamEmail : hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.ukFurther informationIf you wish to raise a complaint then please email hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.uk in the first instance.