The Undercover Policing Inquiry was established to investigate and report on undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces in England and Wales since 1968. The Inquiry will examine the contribution undercover policing has made to tackling crime, how it was and is supervised and regulated, and its effect on individuals involved - both police officers and others who came into contact with them. For our terms of reference and more information about our work visit our website at ucpi.org.uk
Security clearance
Successful candidates must be willing to undergo clearance at Security Check (SC) level if not already cleared. To be eligible for SC please note there is a minimum requirement of 5 years residency in the UK.
Conflict of interest
Current or previous employment or work within the policing field, or for associated bodies, or on policing or associated policy within the Civil Service (or wider) may constitute a conflict of interest given the work of the Inquiry. Any potential conflicts of interest which could affect the independence of the Inquiry should be declared at the time of application and will then be assessed.
Location
Due to the sensitive nature of the material the inquiry deals with, successful candidates would be required to work at secure central London offices.
Junior Junior Counsel
The Undercover Policing Inquiry invites applications from junior members of the bar (who we would generally expect to be practitioners under four years call) to work as Junior Counsel to the Inquiry in central London
Person specification
Candidates should be able to assess and evaluate large volumes of material quickly and identify legal issues within the context of a public inquiry. Candidates must have strong written and verbal communication skills and be able to display sound legal judgment and strategic thinking. A good understanding of the work of a public inquiry is an advantage, as is some exposure to handling sensitive material in legal proceedings.
Applicants should note that the Junior Junior role will require a minimum commitment of 22 hours per week.
There may also be opportunities for short term engagement of several weeks or months on a full or near full time basis in periods where the Inquiry sees to ‘surge’ resources during busy periods.
Remuneration is at the rate of £45 per hour.
Second Junior Counsel
The Inquiry is seeking to establish a panel of SC-cleared Second juniors keen to work for the Inquiry as and when vacancies arise, to assist with the review and analysis of evidence, together with requests for witness statements. Given the time involved in the security process, the establishment of a panel will provide the Inquiry with the capability to fill vacancies as they arise on the Inquiry Legal Team.
Essential Skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Sound legal judgment and strategic thinking
• Ability to assess and evaluate complex material to reach clear and logical decisions
• A good understanding of the work of a public inquiry
• Exposure to handling highly classified material in legal proceedings
Main Duties
Inquiry work can vary from week to week, and the role will necessarily require some flexibility, however, the main duties are likely to include:
• Identification of evidence required in order to further the terms of reference
• Drafting formal requests for evidence; reviewing and responding to applications for restriction orders over the disclosure of sensitive or private information
• Analysis and review of documents and witness statements disclosed to the Inquiry
• Working with other members of the Inquiry team to ensure effective progress
• Attending meetings with Counsel for key stakeholders
• Legal research
• Assisting with preparation for oral hearings, including drafting explanatory and other documents
• Attending some oral hearings, including the possibility of some advocacy
Applicants should note that a Second Junior role will require a minimum commitment of 25 hours per week.
Remuneration is at the rate of £80 per hour.
Please note: If you are invited to interview and are unsuccessful, we may offer you a Junior Junior position should one be available, and you meet the necessary standard of assessment.
How to apply
If you wish to apply for this interesting and varied role, with the opportunity of working at the heart of a high-profile public inquiry, please submit your interest in writing comprising:
• A copy of your up-to-date CV (For Junior Junior role & 2nd Second Junior role)
• A covering letter (of no more than one page) setting out your legal, decision making and communication skills. Please also include any relevant legal experience. (For Junior Junior role & 2nd Second Junior role)
• A statement of suitability of no more than one side of A4 in Arial 11 point, summarising your suitability for the role, using the skills and responsibilities above as a guide. (For 2nd Junior role only)
Applications must be sent by 23:59hrs on Friday 07th March to the following email address: Recruitment@ucpinquiry.org.uk
Please title your email as appropriate
“Junior Junior Counsel application for >>Insert Name<<”
or
Second Junior Counsel application for >>Insert Name<<”
Closing Date: Friday 7th April 2023
If you have any queries, please email Recruitment@ucpinquiry.org.uk
