Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal Legal Officer

Deputy Principal Legal Officer, Exceptionality and Authorities Adjudicator required for a large public sector organisation based through the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Location: AIB Building, Ann St, Belfast.

Pay Per Hour: £21.99

Full Time / Part Time: Full Time

JOB SUMMARY/MAIN PURPOSE:

The Legal Services Agency is responsible for determining the legal merits of applications for civil and come criminal legal services submitted by the legal profession. The post holder will decide on applications for civil legal aid.

MAIN DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

The main duties of Deputy Principal Adjudicator in Exceptionality and Authorities Unit include but are not restricted to:

• Adjudicate on the merits of applications for civil legal aid (Exceptional Funding) and Exceptional Preparation in criminal legal aid; Provide advice to colleagues in the determination of authorities requested against criminal legal aid certificates and extensions of Advice and Assistance grants;
• Ensure that an applicant's satisfy the statutory criteria for the granting of legal aid;
• Provide a proactive customer focused, efficient and effective service to legal aid applicants and their legal representatives.
• Meet quantitative and qualitative standards of performance;
• Working as part of a team to make use of management tools to aid workflow to meet key performance indicators and facilitate access to justice;
• Participation in internal redetermination and review panels;
• Support management in delivering corporate, policy and strategic objectives;
• Preparation of Case Notes for matters which are proceeding to the Civil Legal Services Appeals Panel and internal Panels;
• Draft responses to Subject Access Requests and Freedom of Information requests made under Data Protection legislation and complaints within relevant timeframes;
• Draft or assist with the drafting of pre-action protocol responses when the Agency is challenged by way of Judicial Review; and
• Assist and support with quality assurance processes. The following is a broad range of duties and responsibilities and is not intended as a complete description of all tasks:
• The Deputy Principal Legal Officer will be responsible for making informed decisions on staff management matters within his/her specific area of responsibility;
• So far as case work is concerned the Deputy Principal Legal Officer has responsibility for the granting and issue, or refusal of civil legal aid Exceptional Funding certificates and Certificates of Exceptional Preparation in the criminal sphere. This commits the Agency to considerable expenditure in civil legal aid;
• The Deputy Principal Legal Officer will also be responsible for providing advice and guidance to legal representatives on legal aid matters.
• The Deputy Principal Legal Officer will be required to work collaboratively with peers, senior managers, internal and external stakeholders, for example legal professionals, NI Courts and Tribunal Services, Audit Office, Equality Commission and others.

DESIRABLE

Experience in Criminal Law.

If you are interested and available for this position, please upload your CV to the link or contact Emer McNally on [email protected]

To be shortlisted for this role all applicants must meet the essential criteria. Please note that these roles may be filled quickly but your CV will be kept on file for future similar roles. As there are so many applications, unsuccessful candidates may not be contacted.

Successful candidates may need to apply for an Access NI Certificate with Staffline regardless of if you already have a valid certificate. It will be a cost of between £16 - £32 depending on clearance level.