Legal Officer (Crime)

Job summary

About Us

We help the UK move forward, faster.

For nearly 150 years, we've protected the UK economy with deep expertise and rigour, building the confidence that helps businesses access lending, investment and opportunity.

We help people deal with personal insolvency. We make statutory redundancy payments when insolvent employers can't. We investigate director conduct and take action where it's needed.

And right now, we're changing how we do all of this, becoming faster, more digitally driven, and more focused on stopping problems before they escalate.

More than 2,000 of us work in offices across England, Scotland and Wales. It might be time for you to join us.

The Role

We're looking for a Legal Officer (Crime) who wants more than a job that ticks boxes. You'll play a key role in prosecuting new offences introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), helping to combat corporate misconduct and insolvency-related crime while supporting greater integrity and transparency around the Companies House register.

This is a role for someone who wants to think bigger, challenge the way things have always been done, and take ownership of the outcomes that matter.

We offer full-time, part-time, job share, and flexible working. We invest in your development and give our people the space to grow, take ownership and make decisions.

Job description

Reporting to a Managing Criminal Lawyer, you'll be part of a team that's central to how we combat insolvency-related crime and corporate misconduct more effectively, as part of our Enforcement Group.

What you'll do (Responsibilities)

You'll use your expertise and judgement to:

• manage a caseload of predominantly ECCTA Persons with Significant Control (PSC) and identity verification (IDV) offences, together with other insolvency-related fraud offences, from the decision to prosecute (applying the Code for Crown Prosecutors) through to trial and confiscation
• instruct Counsel or agent solicitors where appropriate, to ensure cases are presented effectively
• work with investigators to develop and pursue focused case strategies and to give clear, accurate and timely investigative advice
• build effective working relationships with external stakeholders, particularly Companies House, to support joined-up enforcement action
• attend court and undertake advocacy in magistrates' courts, including first hearings and sentencing of IDV, PSC and other insolvency-related offences
• take ownership of your casework, exercising sound judgement to find the best route to a good outcome, while remaining clear and accountable for what you deliver

Person specification

We are looking for highly motivated lawyers with strong interpersonal skills and who are able to work within a team.

You will need to have sound judgement and good analytical skills.

A good understanding of criminal litigation would be helpful but is not essential as training will be required.

In the absence of previous crime experience candidates must be able to demonstrate an interest in criminal law and a strong ambition to develop as a criminal litigator.

Essential criteria

• you must be qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales by 1 October 2026, having completed a training contract, pupillage or qualifying employment (or been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx)
• you have a minimum of a 2:1 degree (in any subject), or equivalent experience demonstrating high-level academic and/or professional achievement (for example, through GDL/CPE, LPC or BPTC results)
• you have experience of, or a strong demonstrable interest in, criminal law and litigation. This may come from previous criminal practice or another setting where you developed comparable analytical and advocacy skills
• you can demonstrate sound judgement, strong analytical skills and excellent written and verbal communication

Desirable criteria

• it would be helpful, but is not essential, if you have prior experience of criminal litigation or prosecution work

Further information

• this role is particularly suitable for lawyers with 0 to 2 years PQE, although applications are welcomed from all candidates who meet the essential criteria
• Barristers and Solicitors qualified outside England and Wales must have completed the Bar Transfer Test or Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme, in line with the rules of their professional body
• Chartered Legal Executives are eligible to apply where a Qualifying Law Degree, GDL/CPE, or a pass of 50% or above at CILEx Level 6 in all seven foundation subjects (Contract Law, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts Law, EU Law, Land Law, Public Law, and Law of Tort) has been achieved. An average score of 65% or above across these seven subjects will be accepted as demonstrating 2:1 degree equivalence where a 2:1 degree is not held

We are pleased to offer a 30 minute Q&A drop in session on Thursday 05 November 2026 at 5pm via MS Teams where you can find out more about our team, our work and what you can expect from the role. Please email Neeta.Patel@insolvency.gov.uk to register your interest and receive a link to the session.

Qualifications

Applicants must be qualified to practice as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales as of 01 October 2026.

You must have completed a training contract/pupillage/qualifying employment or have been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx.

Barristers and Solicitors qualified in a jurisdiction outside of England and Wales will be subject to the rules of the professional bodies and must have completed the Bar Transfer Test or Qualified Lawyer Transfer Scheme.

Chartered Legal Executives are eligible to apply where (i) a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) is held; or (ii) the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE has been completed; or (iii) where exams have been passed and a score of 50% or above achieved, at CILEx Level 6*, in all the following foundation subjects:

1. Contract Law
2. Criminal Law
3. Equity and Trusts Law
4. European Union Law
5. Land Law
6. Public Law
7. Law of Tort

*Note: There are specific requirements relating to academic achievement in the CILEx Level 6 exams where these are being used to demonstrate 2.1-degree equivalence as set out below.

Academic qualifications

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 degree in their first degree (in any subject). Where an applicant holds an overseas degree qualification this should be equivalent to a 2:1 degree.

However, the Insolvency Service will consider applicants who do not have a 2:1 degree (or above) (e.g. where a lower degree classification is held, or, where applicants have (under the rules of the professional bodies) qualified as a Solicitor/Barrister/ Chartered Legal Executives without a degree) but only where satisfactory evidence of equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement can be provided (e.g. via relevant experience and results achieved for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE, Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)).

Chartered Legal Executives should note that the department will be willing to accept an, overall, average score of 65% or above across exams passed in the seven foundation subjects in law (where studied at CILEx Level 6) as demonstrating 2:1 degree equivalence (where a 2:1 degree is not held).

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £48,429, Insolvency Service contributes £14,029 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We want you to have a good work-life balance and want to support you in all that you do, so we offer a great benefits package including:

• flexible working arrangements and flexi-time
• full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service
• in addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays plus an additional day of privilege leave
• competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
• 5 days paid leave for learning and development
• 5 days paid for volunteering
• a Cycle to work scheme
• staff have access to an employee assistance programme, Workplace Wellness, for confidential, independent support and advice during difficult times in either their professional or personal life

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package where the employer makes a significant contribution to the cost of your pension. Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. This means, if you pay tax, your take-home pay will not be reduced by the full amount of your contribution; and your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. For more information, visit www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Application and Sift

As part of the sift process, you will be asked to complete:

• CV
• Personal Statement
• Behaviours
  • Behaviour 1 - Making Effective Decisions

High volume applications and benchmark scoring

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV, assessing candidates against the essential criteria. Only those who meet the essential criteria at this stage will proceed to a full assessment of their application. If a candidate does not meet the minimum requirements during the initial sift, the remainder of their application will not be reviewed. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

Where high volumes of strong applications are expected or received, we may raise the ‘benchmark’ minimum score required at the sift stage. If a high volume of candidates meet the benchmark score, we may further raise the score required for interview selection. Scores will be applied fairly and consistently. Applicants eligible under a recruitment scheme may, where appropriate, continue to be considered against the agreed ‘benchmark’ score, to support the purpose of the scheme.

CV Guidance

Your CV should provide a clear overview of your employment history, key responsibilities, relevant qualifications, and the skills and experience you’ve gained throughout your career including any notable achievements.

Note: Your CV will be scored as part of the assessment process and will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the job advert.

Personal Statement Guidance

Your personal statement should be no more than 750 words and must demonstrate how your personal skills, qualities, and experience align with the requirements of the role. Please ensure your statement references the essential criteria outlined in the person specification, as well as any desirable criteria. This will help provide a clearer basis for scoring and will be particularly useful in the event of tied scores.

Note: Your personal statement will be scored as part of the assessment process and will be assessed against the criteria outlined in the job advert.

Interview Stage

If successful at the sift stage, at interview, you will be assessed on the following:

• Experience
• Behaviours - assessed through:
  • Behaviour 1 - Making Effective Decisions
  • Behaviour 2 - Communicating and Influencing
  • Behaviour 3 - Delivering at Pace
• Additional assessment - Immediately prior to interview, candidates will be required to complete a written assessment based on a case study. The exercise will assess your ability to analyse evidence, identify legal issues and make sound decisions as a lawyer. The written answer will be evaluated and further questions may be asked during the interview. Full details of the assessment, including instructions for completing the exercise, will be provided to candidates when you arrive for interview.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Sift – w/c To be confirmed

Interview – w/c To be confirmed

Location - 16th Floor, 1 Westfield Avenue, Stratford, London, E20 1HZ

Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of this if you are selected for interview. Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment process.

Visa Applicants

To sponsor a candidate under the Skilled Worker visa, a sponsorship licence is required. The Insolvency Service does not currently hold this licence and therefore, cannot legally sponsor Skilled Worker visa applicants.

Hybrid Working

The Insolvency Service’s hybrid working policy offers flexibility over when and where you work and collaborate, subject to business needs.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Reasonable Adjustment

We must make reasonable adjustments if our recruitment process puts a disabled applicant at a substantial disadvantage. These are changes or support that help remove or reduce that disadvantage.

If you need an adjustment to apply, contact Government Recruitment Service at insolvencyrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date.

For adjustments later in the recruitment process, complete ‘Assistance required’ on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form. Examples include wheelchair access at interview or communication support if you are deaf or hard of hearing.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Queries and Support

When contacting us or the Government Recruitment Service (GRS) using the contact details at the bottom of this advert, please include the 6-digit Vacancy ID, job title, your full name and, where applicable, your 8-digit Applicant ID in the email subject line. This will help us process your enquiry more efficiently.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Neeta Patel
• Email : Neeta.Patel@insolvency.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : InsolvencyRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

You can complain to the Insolvency Service if you believe you have experienced discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, procedural errors at any recruitment stage, or a breach of the Recruitment Principles (appointment on merit through fair and open competition).
First, email Government Recruitment Service at insolvencyrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Your complaint must reach the contact point for applicants within 24 hours of being told you were unsuccessful at sift, assessment or interview.
An independent third party outside the recruitment campaign will consider your complaint. You will receive a written decision within 5 working days of receipt. Recruitment will usually be paused until your complaint is resolved.
If you are dissatisfied with the response, you can contact the Civil Service Commission about a suspected breach of the Recruitment Principles. You can complain to the Commission at any time, but must first raise your complaint with Government Recruitment Service.