Senior Lawyer - Water Industry Enforcement Team

The diverse nature of the Environment Agency provides ever-evolving challenges for our legal teams. Our lawyers conduct criminal proceedings and advise on all matters relevant to the enforcement of environmental requirements. They also advise on the imposition of civil sanctions such as enforcement undertakings and variable monetary penalties. They provide training to staff on disclosure requirements and the use of various statutory and enforcement powers.

In this team, you will have the opportunity to own an interesting caseload and make a valuable contribution to supporting our commitment to improving the performance of the Water Industry.

We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

The team

The roles will be based in the Water Industry Enforcement Team, which is part of the wider Enforcement and Prosecution team within Legal and Audit Services.

Experience/skills Required

You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister, or equivalent (FILEX with rights of audience in criminal proceedings) and ideally have experience as a prosecutor or defence lawyer of complex criminal cases concerning breaches of environmental legislation or other complex areas of criminal and regulatory law.

You will possess a sound knowledge of criminal law, practice, and procedure and be an experienced criminal advocate with trial experience in the Magistrates’ Court. You will have experience of preparing complex cases for trial and sentence in the Crown Court. You may also be a higher rights advocate, but this is not a requirement for the role.

Additional information

This role receives a Market Forces Factor allowance of £5,250 per annum. As with all roles in Legal Services, we combine home working with attendance at the contractual office base, subject to meeting business needs. The roles can be based at any of our main hub locations. There will be travel to court and other locations as required.

We will hold interviews during October 2025. For any queries relating to the role, please contact LASrecruitment@environment-agency.gov.uk

Competences

• Achieves Results: Define - Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
• Focuses on Customers and Partners: Define - Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.
• Illegal Activity Detection and Enforcement: Define - Uses intelligence to detect suspected illegal activities. Instigates and carries out enforcement action where illegal activities have been detected.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.