15071 - Law Commission: Law Reform Lawyer - Property, Family and Trust Law Team
Overview
The Law Commission is the statutory body set up under the Law Commissions Act 1965 to keep the law of England and Wales under review and to recommend reform where it is needed. It operates as an independent non-departmental body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice.
The Commission’s aims are:
- To ensure that the law is as fair, modern, simple and as cost-effective as possible
- To conduct research and consultations in order to make recommendations for reform for consideration by Parliament
- To codify the law, eliminate anomalies, repeal obsolete and unnecessary enactments and reduce the number of separate statutes
Further information about the Law Commission and its work can be obtained from its website at www.lawcom.gov.uk/.
The Law Commission has just published its 13th Programme of Law Reform (http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/13th-programme-update/). The programme includes a high-profile and ground-breaking law reform project on residential leasehold law.
We are looking to recruit exceptional lawyers with expertise in residential leasehold law to help lead this work which will have a profound impact on leaseholders, landlords and all other parties involved in the sector. We expect initial work to focus on enfranchisement and the reinvigoration of commonhold in the period up to March 2020, but other areas of work may emerge with the possibility of other longer term projects. The roles are expected to feature involvement in the development of new legislation which will have a significant impact on law and practice in this area for years to come.
The successful candidates will join the Law Commission’s Property, Family and Trust law team to supplement our existing leasehold experts. We will be recruiting two full-time lawyers or a mix of full- and part-time staff. We expect that the roles will be of interest either to lawyers interested in working on this project for a set period before returning to leasehold practice with a unique understanding of the new regime, or lawyers looking to develop their careers in a new direction with an interest in working for the Law Commission or wider Government Legal Service.
We will therefore consider applications for these fixed term posts for any duration up to 2 years, and on a full or part-time basis, although we would welcome a minimum commitment up to the end of July 2018. Subject to business needs, there is a possibility that the fixed term could be extended or that in due course the post could be converted to a permanent position. The roles are open to loan or secondment.
Work on the project is expected to start shortly, so if you feel you meet the criteria set out below and are available to contribute immediately we would be happy to hear from you in advance of your application; please contact Matthew Jolley (details below). If you would be interested in working on the project more informally (including on an unpaid basis), or for a very limited duration, then please also get in touch.
If you do not feel that you meet the criteria but can demonstrate substantial experience in residential leasehold law please get in touch with us as there may be other non-lawyer roles available (at a lower grade and pay scale)
We expect the successful candidates for these roles to be able start as soon as their current terms of employment and Government security checks allow. We may, however, have to delay the start date, or delay confirmation of the post, pending confirmation of Government support for the project and funding.
Job Description
The main duties will be:
· Working on a residential leasehold law reform project with the Commissioner, the team manager and other team lawyers for the Property, Family and Trust law team and the team’s research assistants;
· Working on property law issues as they arise in relation to past, current and future projects;
· Researching the law and how it works in practice (both in the UK and overseas);
· Analysing problems with the law, identifying options for reform and testing potential solutions;
· Writing consultation papers, reports and other documents in conjunction with the Commissioner, the team manager and other team lawyers; preparing these for publication;
· Engaging with stakeholders (both inside and outside Government); analysing formal consultation responses; and working with the Head of Communications to organise publicity for our work;
· Instructing Parliamentary Counsel to draft legislation;
· Working with the Law Commission’s Economic Adviser to analyse the potential impact of reform options;
· Managing a project against an agreed timetable;
· Managing one or more research assistants;
· Providing assistance as required to other work undertaken by the team, including dealing with public enquiries, supporting work to implement previous recommendations and developing new law reform projects.
Skills & Qualifications
Essential qualifications:
· Academic: You must hold a minimum of a 2.1 undergraduate degree in any subject (or an overseas degree qualification equivalent to a 2.1 degree); and
· Professional: You must be either a solicitor or barrister qualified to practise in England and Wales, or the holder of a law degree who can demonstrate a comparable level of legal ability (for example, as an overseas professionally qualified lawyer, a legal academic or a legal policy expert).
Required competencies
You must also demonstrate the following competencies:
1. Intellectual ability
You must be able to demonstrate excellent intellectual ability as evidenced by a strong academic record and recognised expertise in dealing with complex issues in a professional legal environment (whether as a practitioner or as an academic).
2. Legal professional skills
You must be able to demonstrate high-level experience in residential leasehold law. It would be desirable to demonstrate particular expertise in enfranchisement or an understanding of commonhold.
3. Making effective decisions
You must be objective, using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice.
4. Delivering results
You must be able to focus on delivering timely performance (particularly in relation to complex longer-term tasks or projects) with energy, taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.
5. Collaborating and Partnering:
You must create positive, professional and trusting working relationships to help get business done, both with colleagues and external clients/stakeholders.
6. Oral and Written Communication
You must communicate orally and in writing in a clear, effective and influential manner. You must be capable of producing lengthy pieces of written work dealing with complex legal and theoretical issues in a way accessible to non-specialists.
7. Motivational Fit
Your values and aspirations should match those of the Law Commission. Please also indicate the basis on which you would like to apply, both in terms of duration and whether full or part -time (and if part-time, your proposed working pattern).
Salary, Working Arrangements & Further Information
These are fixed-term posts, initially for up to 2 years. Subject to business needs, there is a possibility that the fixed term could be extended, or that in due course the post could be converted to a permanent position.
The post is available to full-time workers, job-sharers or part-time workers. The Law Commission operates flexible working arrangements including a flexi time scheme and the opportunity to work compressed hours, subject to business needs.
The appointment will be fixed term, and may be on loan (from another Government Department) or on secondment. If you are appointed and plan to continue in private practice we ask that you declare these plans and that you seek our agreement to continue. Any private practice work that you undertake must not conflict with your duties at the Law Commission which may mean some restrictions on what you are able to do, in order to avoid such conflicts. Please contact us to discuss if you have any concerns.
If your application is successful, you will receive a formal letter offering you an appointment that will explain your terms and conditions of service in detail. Your appointment will include a period of probation.
Salary
For those already in the Government Legal Service (GLS) the salary is Band Aa. We will also consider applications from exceptional GLS candidates currently at Band Ab/Grade 6 on a secondment or loan basis only.
For those applying from outside the GLS, the salary range for solicitors and barristers qualified to practice in England and Wales starts at £54,126. The range for those who are not professionally qualified starts at £51,549.
Salary will be calculated pro rata for part time working. New staff will be normally appointed at the starting point of the scale; higher starting salaries will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
You will be appointed at Band Aa (a specialist grade within the Ministry of Justice’s Band A), or Band A if not professionally legally qualified. Band A has formerly been known as ‘Grade 7’ and ‘Span 8’. If you are a GLS lawyer currently at Band Ab/Grade 6 you will be seconded or loaned at your current grade.
Membership of the Government Legal Service
The GLS networks together Government lawyers and trainees, who between them provide legal services across the whole spectrum of government activities. Some are members of the Government Legal Department (GLD): others (like Law Commission lawyers) are not part of the GLD but are part of the wider GLS network. The GLS also maintains close links with lawyers in other parts of the Government, such as the Crown Prosecution Service.
A candidate who is a solicitor or barrister, qualified to practise in England and Wales will become a member of the GLS on joining the Law Commission and have access to the networking benefits the GLS provides. This will also apply to overseas qualified lawyers who fulfil the nationality requirements and are eligible to practise in England and Wales under the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme. Information about the QLTS can be obtained from the SRA (www.sra.org.uk).
Applicants who are not professionally legally qualified will not be recognised as members of the GLS. If successful, they will work at the Law Commission as non-GLS lawyers.
Email: matthew.jolley@lawcommission.gov.uk
Telephone: 0203 334 3371
Email: daniel.robinson@lawcommission.gov.uk
Telephone: 0203 334 6557
All candidates invited to interview will be expected to sit a written test on the day of the interview.
Working Arrangements & Further Information
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year, and rising as your service increases. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as salary sacrifice arrangements for childcare vouchers, and voluntary benefits such as retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.
There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
12/01/2018, 23:55 hours.
Closing Date: 12th January 2018 at 23:55 hours
If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote job reference 15071
To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:
- You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with parents
In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.
Candidate Information
You may be required to provide statements describing your skills and experience relevant to each of the selection criteria. We recommend that you structure any examples as Situation, Task, Action and Result. For more information about the recruitment process and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
In the event of a large number of applications, we reserve the right to undertake the following processes:
- An automated online test where a benchmark must be passed to progress;
- A sift on the lead selection criteria. If this happens, the lead criteria will be the first one listed in the advert.
During the selection process, you may be asked to undertake an additional assessment (such as written test). If this is applicable you will be notified of this when you are invited to interview.
You must be able to demonstrate excellent intellectual ability as evidenced by a strong academic record and recognised expertise in dealing with complex issues in a professional legal environment (whether as a practitioner or as an academic).
You must be able to demonstrate high-level experience in residential leasehold law. It would be desirable to demonstrate particular expertise in enfranchisement or an understanding of commonhold.
You must be objective, using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice.
You must be able to focus on delivering timely performance (particularly in relation to complex longer-term tasks or projects) with energy, taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.
You must create positive, professional and trusting working relationships to help get business done, both with colleagues and external clients/stakeholders.
You must communicate orally and in writing in a clear, effective and influential manner. You must be capable of producing lengthy pieces of written work dealing with complex legal and theoretical issues in a way accessible to non-specialists.
Your values and aspirations should match those of the Law Commission. Please also indicate the basis on which you would like to apply, both in terms of duration and whether full or part -time (and if part-time, your proposed working pattern).
Professional: You must be either a solicitor or barrister qualified to practise in England and Wales, or the holder of a law degree who can demonstrate a comparable level of legal ability (for example, as an overseas professionally qualified lawyer, a legal academic or a legal policy expert).
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Interview stage assessments
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
· UK nationals
· nationals of the Republic of Ireland
· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
· nationals 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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
· 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 2020
· Turkish 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
This Vacancy is closed to applications.