Police Claims Senior Solicitor

Our Emergency Services team is one of the largest in the UK. Our approach is focused on solving our client's legal problems as quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. We are brand leaders in services for police forces, with in-depth expertise in all types of claims.

We have considerable experience in handling sensitive and/or high profile claims and are equally skilled in handling the media attention that these cases sometimes attract. Our specialist practitioners act exclusively for the police service, representing a diverse range of Forces across England and Wales. As the largest dedicated police legal team in the country our lawyers have been involved in some of the most high profile and significant cases involving the police service over the last 15 years.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for four solicitors (4 + PQE) to join our national Casualty Police Claims team to be based in either Liverpool, Manchester and Leicester.

Acting on behalf of various police forces you will effectively manage and run a caseload of pre-litigated and litigated claims as well as assisting other fee earners.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Specialise in acting on behalf of various police forces, claims handlers and insurers in the defence of civil actions against the police.
• Manage a caseload of pre-litigated and litigated civil ‘malfeasance’ claims (such as false imprisonment, trespass, malicious prosecution, and Human Rights Act claims) as well as employer’s liability claims.
• Assist the Team Manager and other team members with client development, client training and networking.
• Support and mentor junior members of the team.
• Liaise with various parties such as other solicitors, insurers, experts, counsel and clients.
• Control diary and action lists and complete client MI procedures.
• Attend court hearings, including conducting your own advocacy where appropriate.
• Satisfy standards of client care in accordance with guidelines and directions.
• Achieve financial and chargeable hours targets.
• Comply with relevant rules, policies and procedures.
• Keep up to date with legal developments.
• Work in accordance with Weightmans’ values.

This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and you will be expected to perform other duties and have other responsibilities that fall within the wider remit of the role. You will also ensure that you comply with the relevant Weightmans and client policies and procedures and consistently work in accordance with our values.

About You

You will be a qualified solicitor. We also require you to have:

• Preferably, experience in defending civil claims although candidates who have claimant experience will also be considered
• Ability to undertake advocacy as required
• Knowledge of the CPR and litigation
• Knowledge of police law (desirable but not essential)
• Excellent organisation skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent IT skills
• Ability to work to strict deadlines and targets
• Ability to work as part of a team or on own initiative
• Flexible approach to work and a willingness to travel

If you meet our criteria and think this is a job where you could bring enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn, then we look forward to receiving your application.

Please Note

In addition to the Employment screening (stated below) the successful candidate will be required to complete a Police Vetting before commencing employment.

Candidates must meet the Police Vetting Criteria, including the Residency Criteria (7.6.4). This is essential to enable us to proceed with employment.

To review the criteria of the APP on Vetting 2021 please click here.

Why work for us

Come and join our award-winning organisation and team. Weightmans has been recognised as a leading employer for the 18th consecutive year at Britain’s Top Employers awards 2025, and ranking 5th in the list, the firm has also secured top positions in Chambers UK.

Embark on this journey with Weightmans towards becoming one of the Top 30 UK Law firms.

Why work for us? Take a look: Work for Weightmans: voted a top employer | Weightmans

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