Location
Chelmsford, Headquarters; office‑based agile worker with opportunities for flexible working where appropriate.
Contract Details
- Closing Date: 22/07/2026
- Starting Salary: £53,451.00 (pro‑rata for part‑time vacancies)
- Part/Full Time: Full Time
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Working Pattern: Mon‑Fri
- Weekend/Evening Working: No
Role Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Inquest and Civil Litigation Lawyer to join Essex Police’s Legal Services team, providing specialist in‑house expertise across coronial law, inquests and associated civil litigation.
This is a newly established role designed to strengthen the organisation’s capability in managing complex and high‑profile cases involving deaths following police contact. These matters frequently engage Article 2 (right to life) obligations and attract significant judicial, public and media scrutiny.
You will play a critical role in ensuring that Essex Police meets its legal and human rights obligations, managing legal risk effectively while supporting transparency, organisational learning and public confidence.
Working at the centre of sensitive and complex proceedings, you will advise senior leaders, coordinate multi‑agency legal responses, and ensure robust handling of disclosure, evidence and litigation strategy across both inquest and civil claim processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage inquest and civil litigation cases from instruction through to conclusion.
- Provide expert legal advice to senior leaders on complex, sensitive and high‑risk matters.
- Ensure compliance with coronial law, employment and civil litigation frameworks, and human rights obligations, including Article 2.
- Manage disclosure processes, evidence preparation and coordination of multi‑agency responses.
- Represent the organisation in legal proceedings and support counsel where appropriate.
- Identify legal risks, support mitigation strategies and contribute to organisational learning following findings.
- Work collaboratively across Legal Services and operational teams to ensure a consistent and effective legal approach.
- Support the management of associated claims arising from inquests, including civil litigation matters.
Qualifications
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with a current practising certificate.
- Significant experience of inquests and civil litigation from instruction to conclusion.
- Strong working knowledge of inquest and civil litigation law, process and procedure.
- Proven ability to advise senior leaders on complex, sensitive inquests and civil claims matters.
- Experience of policing, public sector, or other regulated environments.
- Familiarity with inquests and civil litigation within the context of the police service.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Kent Police and Essex Police welcome applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status. Disability Confident Leader commitment:
- Have subjected our Disability Confident self‑assessment to external challenge and validation.
- Are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.
Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.
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