Formed in 1948 as the Anglers’ Co-operative Association the organisation has a proud and successful history in conserving the environment and supporting angling. A fundamental aspect of its work remains taking civil cases against polluters, but it also now encompasses a general advice service to its growing membership, as well as representing their interests in areas of strategic or general importance. This includes working in partnership with the Angling Trust.
Title: Head Solicitor
Responsible to: Chief Executive
Location: Eastwood House, 6 Rainbow St, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8DQ.
Working hours: Full time – a 37 hour week.
Remuneration: Dependant on experience.
Contributory stakeholder pension scheme offered after 3 months.
Organisation-wide bonus scheme.
Holidays: 23 days leave plus public holidays in your first year, increasing one day per year to a maximum of 28 days.
Time off in lieu may be accrued for occasional weekend and late evening working.
Purpose of the job:
To lead the legal department at Fish Legal across UK-wide jurisdictions.
To work with the Chief Executive as part of the senior management team of Angling
Trust and Fish Legal.
Person Specification:
• Good degree in Law or equivalent qualification
• Qualified solicitor with at least 4 years PQE
• Experience of civil litigation and environmental law;
• Experience of running nuisance cases;
• Public speaking experience including advocacy;
• Good drafting skills;
• Management experience;
• Commitment to environmental issues;
• Sympathy with objectives of Fish Legal and the Angling Trust;
• Understanding of factors affecting the aquatic environment;
• Scientific background desirable but not necessary.
Main Responsibilities:
• manage the legal department, consisting of 3 solicitors, 1 legal assistant and 1 legal secretary
• manage a legal budget and oversee time recording and cost recovery
• train and supervise staff including solicitors and legal assistants
• review performance of staff
• report to Fish Legal Committee, Legal Advisory Committee and Chief Executive
• ensure that the legal work undertaken by the department remains compliant with the regulatory framework for lawyers and legal practice
Legal work:
• prepare reports, updates and reviews of current legal work for committees and membership
• run cases and supervise those delegated with the running of such cases including other staff and/or external solicitors or consultants – as necessary
• advise members and committee on the law with regard to environmental issues affecting angling across the jurisdictions covered by Fish Legal
• instruct counsel and experts where required to advise on environmental and angling law
• represent and conduct advocacy for Fish Legal or individual members at court hearings and trials
• meet and negotiate with representatives of other relevant organisations
• correspond with Government agencies, including the Environment Agency, English Nature, Countryside Council for Wales and so on
Other responsibilities:
• co-ordinate, review and/or draft press releases to publicise the work of Fish Legal to the membership or the public
• assist the Angling Trust’s Chief Executive and Environmental Campaigns Managers in England with campaigning
• attend senior management team meetings of the Angling Trust and Fish Legal to discuss collaboration between the organisations
• report to the Legal Advisory Committee and the Fish Legal Committee on progress with cases and performance against budgets and key performance indicators
• assist the Chief Executive with promoting the work of Fish Legal
• respond to relevant governmental consultations
To download an application form visit the Angling Trust website; the deadline for applications is Friday 13 July.
