Senior Legal Counsel -Public Inquiry

Summary

Salary: Competitive salary and package

Grade: 4

Reporting Line: Head of Legal - Inquiry

Contact Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: London

Closing Date: 4th August 2023

What to expect

Here at the Post Office, we’re steeped in tradition, but we’re going places.

As a Senior Legal Counsel working within the Public Inquiry team we welcome you to join us on our journey.

Like all other retailers, Post Office must continue to transform if it is to execute its forward-facing strategy. This, coupled with the well-publicised broader context that Post Office is navigating, requires the Group General Counsel to have a high performing and effective Inquiry team to ensure Post Office can atone for its past and rebuild trust with Postmasters and customers.

The Inquiry team has been formed within Post Office to resolve certain legacy issues facing Post Office in connection with its dealings with Postmasters.

You will be working with the Head of Legal and a dedicated team of Senior Inquiry Counsel individuals supporting all legal work realting to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry.

This role offers you an opportunity to demonstrate your expertise in a Senior legal capacity and provide legal support on important matters during all stages of the inquiry work.

The post holder will provide legal support on important matters during all stages of the inquiry's work, including preparatory work for the inquiry phases of work, Handling rule 9 requests from the inquiry, managing discovery and disclosure processes, instructing and managing outside counsel, attending hearing sessions and reporting to the business. In addition to this advise on a range of associated issues relating to the inquiry law and procedure as well as legal issues arising for Post Office as a result of the inquiry including commercial sensitivity, privilege, funding and insurance. The role will also require engagement with senior business stakeholders.

This is a real opportunity to be part of a team that is changing the Post Office for the better and supporting our Postmasters.

What we can do for you

Our people are the driving force behind our business, we are proud of the energy, commitment and customer focus we have in common. In addition to the competitive salary we offer, in return for your hard work, you will also receive:

27.5 days annual leave that increases with tenure

Up to 18% on target bonus opportunity

Car allowance

Generous pension contribution

Life assurance

Income protection after 12 months service

Full support from our employee assistance programme and access to our employee benefits platform

Ever-evolving learning and development opportunities

At Post Office our commitment to embracing diversity extends beyond just words, we actively foster an inclusive workplace culture that values the unique perspectives and contributions from all colleagues. We believe that Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is not only important but essential to our success and growth; our priority is building a business that represents the communities we serve across the nation. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we embrace our employees’ differences; Post Office wants people from all walks of life working here and we welcome your application. That’s how we build Everybody’s Business.

What you’ll need to succeed

• A Qualified solicitor or barrister with in-house or private practice experience
• Understanding of public law and ideally, experience working on public inquiries / contentious matters;
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to balance competing priorities and work to tight deadlines;
• Strong communicator and ability to gain the confidence of senior stakeholders;
• Flexible and adaptable approach with a willingness to provide support where needed;
• Strong experience of working collaboratively to deliver outcomes;
• Flexible, adaptable and “self starter” approach with a willingness to provide support where needed.

About us

Post Office is a community staple. We’re trusted. We’re relatable. We’re reliable. We’re steeped in tradition. But we’re on a journey of transformation. We’re focused on the future and working at pace to compete in a digital world to provide the same, personalised experience we’ve always been proud of – and we need fresh talent to help make it possible.

We’re looking for people to come to Post office to re-imagine. Authentic people who rise to big challenges and make big changes. We all have a genuine duty of care for the people we serve – a purpose that guides us forward, no matter what. We’re looking for people who share in that purpose and show that now, and moving forwards, Post Office truly is Everybody’s Business.