Overview

We are looking for a strong lawyer and leader for the role of Senior Managing Lawyer Environmental Regulation (Water). This role will lead and manage a team providing legal support covering environmental regulation and civil litigation in relation to water resources and water quality and related areas. This includes advice on environmental law and regulation including any resulting appeals and civil court challenges, including judicial review and injunction applications. You will be a role model for the Environment Agency’s leadership behaviours and provide leadership to ensure timely, risk-based, high quality legal advice and litigation covering regulation, regulatory appeals and judicial reviews in water and related regulation.

Responsibilities

• Lead, plan and monitor the strategic direction of the team’s contribution to support the delivery of business plans.
• Develop and maintain relationships at management level, acting as an intermediate escalation point on legal issues for internal Executive Managers and Managers to anticipate and resolve issues, promoting effective partnership working.
• Own, manage and deliver agreed cross-cutting issues on behalf of Legal and Audit Services, as with all Senior Managing Lawyer roles.
• Lead a team of Senior Lawyers working on environmental regulation and litigation relating primarily to water quality and resources regulation; advise Area operational staff on site-based regulation.
• Provide timely, risk-based and high quality legal advice and litigation coverage including regulation, regulatory appeals and judicial reviews.
• Be based at one of the main office locations and participate in flexible working arrangements; some travel will be required.

Experience and Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with a current right to practise in England.
• Experience of managing and leading people.
• Experience handling complex technical issues.
• Significant experience advising on one or more of the following areas: judicial review; regulation, civil penalties and appeals to PINs and/or the First and Upper Tribunal; public law.
• Thorough and up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation or ability to get up to speed rapidly.
• Confidence to assimilate a new area of environmental or other law quickly.
• Ability to collaborate with other senior lawyers on cross-cutting issues.
• Ability to write detailed legal briefings for senior/government level and respond to parliamentary questions; ability to brief orally at director/board/government level.
• Experience working effectively at a national level and/or with government.

Additional information

• The role can be based at multiple office locations (Bristol, Exeter, Birmingham, Peterborough, Warrington, Leeds, Reading). Some travel is required. Interviews planned for October 2025.
• You will be a registered solicitor or barrister in England. If applying from Civil Service, note Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; eligibility for continuous service may vary.
• We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job share; please indicate preferred arrangements on your application.
• We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with disabilities whose applications meet the minimum criteria.
• Artificial intelligence: use of AI must be truthful and originate from your own experience. The Environment Agency aligns with Civil Service guidance on AI usage.

Contact

Estelle Palin: estelle.palin@environment-agency.gov.uk