Senior Lawyer - Water Industry Enforcement Team - 31834

The Environment Agency seeks a Senior Lawyer to join the Water Industry Enforcement Team, within Legal and Audit Services. The role involves criminal proceedings, advising on enforcement of environmental requirements, and the use of civil sanctions such as enforcement undertakings and monetary penalties. You will contribute to staff training on disclosure requirements and the use of statutory and enforcement powers, and you may manage an interesting caseload to support the agency's water industry performance commitments.

Responsibilities include owning a caseload, providing legal advice on environmental enforcement, preparing complex cases for trial and sentencing, and advising on the right regulatory response to environmental offending. You may be required to travel to court and other locations as needed, and the role supports flexible working arrangements including job sharing where applicable.

The team is part of the Enforcement and Prosecution group within Legal and Audit Services. The position is based at one of the Environment Agency\u2019s main hub locations, with home working combined with attendance at the contractual office base according to business needs.

Experience / Skills Required

• You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or equivalent (FILEX with rights of audience in criminal proceedings). Experience as a prosecutor or defence lawyer in complex criminal cases involving breaches of environmental legislation or related criminal and regulatory law is desirable.
• Sound knowledge of criminal law, practice and procedure; experience as an experienced criminal advocate with trial experience in the Magistrates’ Court. Experience of preparing complex cases for trial and sentence in the Crown Court. Higher rights advocacy is not required.
• Understanding of the Environment Agency\u2019s use of civil sanctions in place of criminal proceedings and the ability to advise on appropriate regulatory responses to environmental offending.

Contact and Additional Information

• This role attracts a Market Forces Factor allowance of £5,250 per annum.
• Flexible working patterns are welcomed; information about preferred working arrangements should be provided in the application.
• The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra. We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria, and we strive for an inclusive workforce.
• Interviews are planned for October 2025.

Competences

• Achieves Results: sets high work standards, prioritises tasks, and delivers timely results. Provide examples of prioritising and organising tasks to achieve results.
• Focuses on Customers and Partners: addresses the needs of internal and external customers with rapid and effective responses; provide examples and challenges faced.
• Illegal Activity Detection and Enforcement: uses intelligence to detect illegal activities and takes enforcement action where detected; provide an example of advising on the correct enforcement response.

Role specific professional membership requirements

Qualified solicitor, barrister or equivalent (FILEX with rights of audience in criminal proceedings) to work in England.

Notes: If applying from the Civil Service, Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service. Guidance on continuous service and redundancy applicable to local government and other eligible bodies is provided in the original job posting. For questions about eligibility, contact your HR Team.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. We also guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria.

The Environment Agency, a Non-Departmental Public Body, uses government frameworks for recruitment. For information about becoming a supplier through Crown Commercial Service, see gov.uk.

Location and additional notes

The position is based in the Bristol area or other main hub locations, with the possibility of travel to court and other locations as required.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds. Referrals may increase your chances of interview.