Lawyer - Criminal

From time to time, a criminal case ends with a wrongful conviction or sentence. There may may have been errors at trial or fresh evidence may have emerged. Sometimes there are developments in the law that require matters to be reassessed in the light of modern standards of fairness.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission has a unique statutory role - reviewing such cases independently and deciding whether there is a real possibility that a conviction or sentence would not be upheld by the appeal courts.​​

• Can you research and advise on complex issues of criminal law and evidence?​
• Can you design and deliver training to keep colleagues updated on developments in the criminal justice system?​
• Can you manage a team of interns, and support their professional development?​

If the answers are yes, then this could be the start of an incredibly rewarding career – the work you do with us can transform lives and ensure justice is finally achieved.​​

Following the recent HMCPSI inspection of the CCRC’s casework, the legal team plays an important role in quality assurance by providing advice and constructive challenge to ensure the legal accuracy of CCRC casework and decisions​

We’re looking for a lawyer to join us on a permanent basis (although we can also consider secondments and loans). The role is varied and intellectually challenging. You’ll need to be analytical, articulate, resilient and proactive. You must be able to juggle competing priorities, planning your work to ensure you give reliable and practical advice.​​

You will be part of our legal team supporting Commissioners and Case Review Managers in the exercise of statutory powers, decision-making processes, and procedural fairness in line with public law relevant in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This includes designing and delivering a continuous learning programme that ensures colleagues are updated on key cases and new legislation through modules and resources that develop knowledge of the law and legal skills. ​​

Under the supervision of the In-House Counsel, you will be responsible for:

Legal Advice ​

• Undertake legal research and provide oral and written advice on legal matters within CCRC casework. ​
• Provide oral and written advice on the CCRC’s statutory powers. ​
• Provide advice and guidance to support the drafting of high-quality Statements of Reasons.​
• Source & instruct external legal advice where necessary.​

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Quality Assurance​

• Provide advice and constructive challenge to ensure the legal accuracy of CCRC casework and decisions​
• Peer-review the work of colleagues in the legal team​
• Quality assure and peer review legal elements of CCRC casework​

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Training and Development ​

• Develop, source and deliver internal training on legal matters relating to CCRC casework​
• Maintain and update internal legal guidance for the casework team, to ensure that material remains relevant, accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive ​
• Maintain the CCRC’s legal resources (including access to relevant electronic databases) ​
• Keep up to date with developing law, practice, and policy and maintain own CPD through internal and external events ​

Leadership and Management​

• Line-manage legal interns, including setting objectives, supporting professional development, and addressing performance or quality concerns.​
• Meet regularly with legal interns to review progress and wellbeing, and provide advice, guidance, support, and direction ​
• Provide first line assurance of interns’ work by reviewing progress, quality and timeliness, and including formal scrutiny and dip sampling​
• Lead on the recruitment and induction of legal interns​

Policy and Corporate Support​

• Assist in developing, reviewing and updating policy ​
• Assist in drafting submissions and responses to national consultations ​
• Ensure compliance with the CCRC’s obligations on disclosure, security and confidentiality of information. ​
• Ensure compliance with data protection and human rights legislation. ​
• Ensure compliance with the CCRC’s obligations under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime​

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Litigation (Judicial Review) ​

• When necessary, support the work of the Lawyer (Civil) by assessing legal challenges to the CCRC’s decisions, making recommendations as to the appropriate course of action, and drafting effective responses to pre-action correspondence and claims.​
• Work with colleagues in the legal team and wider casework to develop strategies to reduce instances of judicial review and identify any learning points ​

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Other​

• To undertake other duties which may be necessary to ensure the CCRC’s effective operation, which are in keeping with the nature of the post and business needs. ​

Solicitor or Barrister, with a minimum of three years’ post-qualification experience in criminal law in England, Wales or

Northern Ireland. Authorised to conduct litigation ​

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)

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

Selection process timeline:

Application:​

Applications must be submitted via our careers site by 23:55 on 23rd September 2026.​

Our recruitment is anonymous, so instead of CV’s, candidates will need to submit an online application form. ​

When you apply, you will be asked a few screening questions. If you pass the screening questions, you will receive an email inviting you to respond to the Criteria questions, which are based on the Person Specification. Your responses to the criteria questions must be submitted before the vacancy closing date.​

When answering the criteria questions, you may find one of the models on page 7 helpful for presenting your evidence clearly and concisely.​

Assessment:​

Once the advert has closed, candidates may be invited to complete two online timed ability assessments (Verbal Reasoning and Logical Reasoning).​

Shortlisting:​

Those who score highest in the assessments will then be shortlisted against evidence of meeting the essential criteria as set out in the Person Specification.​​ ​

Written Exercise & Interview:​

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to undertake a written exercise prior to attending a final interview focused on Civil Service Success Profiles Behaviours and Strengths. Please note, feedback is only provided to candidates who attend a panel interview.​

Any offers will be subject to successful completion of pre-employment checks including security clearance to CTC (Counter Terrorist Check) level.​

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