Looking for a new challenge?

Take a look at our current vacancies. If you see a vacancy that is right for you, we encourage you to apply!

Legal Counsel

Are you a qualified lawyer looking for a new challenge, stimulating work, and a chance to have a big impact?

Contract: FTC 24 months

Working hours: 35 hours per week Where possible, we are open to considering part time/flexible working patterns. Please let us know in your application your desired working pattern.

Salary: from £69,400

Reporting to: Head of Legal Practice

London docklands

O ur hybrid policy sees us all working at least four days across a fortnight in the office.

Our legal team advises and supports the Financial Ombudsman Service across a broad range of legal areas. We advise on legal issues relevant to Ombudsmen’s decisions and to our broader work, help to build our approach to resolving disputes, and act for the FOS if we are challenged through the courts.

The Financial Ombudsman Service is often at the cutting-edge of financial services law. As such, the legal issues we face are complex and can be novel. Our jurisdiction has expanded over the last few years, which means that we deal with a wider range of disputes and legal issues You will need the intellectual ability and breadth of legal knowledge to provide sound and clear answers to all manner of difficult legal questions.

As Legal Counsel, you will advise on the broad range of issues we receive in the team. You will be familiar with some of the law we apply, but where relevant law is unfamiliar you will be able to develop and extend your expertise by legal research. You will need the judgement and confidence to deliver advice that impacts many people.

To be considered for this role, you’ll need to show us that you’ve got the skills and capabilities. You’ll have to meet the following minimum criteria:

Minimum Criteria

• Be a solicitor or barrister qualified in England and Wales.

• Recent experience in the regulatory, commercial or public sector or in private practice.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Strong technical skills and experience in one or more of the following areas - public law, financial services law and regulation, litigation, information law, contract law and employment law.

Desirable Criteria

We would also like you to have the following skills:

• Proactive problem solving skills, identifying solutions supported by the law with an eye to wider implications for clients.

• Strong prioritisation skills and ability to be flexible.

• Ability to build good relationships with internal clients to help you fully understand their needs and advise on our recommended approach on legal matters.

• Experienced in mentoring, providing training and coaching.

How do I apply?

To apply, please upload a single document that includes your most up to date CV and your supporting statement (of no more than 500 words) addressing the following questions

• What attracts you to this job and the Ombudsman Service

• Why your skills and experience make you the right person for the job

Applications need to be submitted by 23:59 on Wednesday 29th November 2023

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to interview.

First interviews will take place week commencing 4th December, and shortlisted candidates will be invited to a second interview the week commencing 11th December.

Due to high application numbers this advert may end earlier than the date specified, so please don't delay and apply now!

We’re proud to be an inclusive employer

We view diversity as fundamental to our success and welcome applications from underrepresented groups across all communities.

We’re committed to being a great place to work– attracting and developing people from the widest possible range of backgrounds. We want everyone to perform at their best and feel able to be themselves. We understand that if we’re diverse and inclusive, we’ll better understand different perspectives, which is fundamental to our job resolving financial complaints.

We welcome applications from Black and other ethnic minority candidates, and female candidates, for all positions and particularly so for senior leader positions as they are under-represented within the Financial Ombudsman Service at this level.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. This means that we will put disabled candidates entering under the scheme through to the next stage of the recruitment process should they meet the minimum criteria for a role. A minimum criterion needs to be measurable from reviewing a candidate’s CV/supporting statement. Exceptions may apply if due to the volume of applications we are not able to interview all eligible candidates who qualify under the scheme. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about any reasonable adjustments you need, please email hrsupport@financial-ombudsman.org.uk and let us know your preferred method of contact.

Find out more

Check out below channels to find out more about everyday life at the Financial Ombudsman Service – and don’t forget to follow us while you’re there!

• LinkedIn: Financial Ombudsman Service

• Our careers page: https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/who-we-are/join-us

Good luck with your application!