Enforcement and Market Oversight Lawyer - Technical Specialist

Salary: National ranging from £72,600 to £118,000 and London from £79,800 to £129,600

The FCA’s Legal Division is looking for an enthusiastic and talented UK qualified UK qualified lawyer with an expected minimum of 10 years’ relevant PQE/post-pupillage experience to join its Litigation and Legal Review team (LLR) as a Technical Specialist. 

The team/department

The team handle all contentious Enforcement and Authorisations work for the FCA. You will have the opportunity to conduct a wide variety of important contentious regulatory work, which is often high profile and cutting edge, including proceedings before the RDC, Upper Tribunal and High Court. 

We are a dynamic, inclusive and supportive team enjoying a busy workload, but also benefitting from a real work life balance.  This opportunity would suit you if you'd would welcome a rewarding role where there is the opportunity for considerable professional growth and learning.

What you will be doing (the role)

• Conduct litigation and legal reviews of cases for submission to decision makers including the RDC, Upper Tribunal and the courts, including drafting and reviewing case papers such as statutory notices, written submissions and statements of case, witness statements, regulatory notices and charges

• Provide legal advice to Enforcement investigatory case teams, Authorisations and other FCA colleagues on questioning points of law, and with regard to the exercise of FCA powers and conduct any resulting regulatory proceedings

• Instruct and manage external counsel and, where necessary, draft written and/or make oral representations to an executive decision maker, RDC, Upper Tribunal and courts

• Advise the FCA's senior management, as necessary, on the difficult decisions and judgement calls that are part of high profile, public interest litigation

• Assist in the internal sharing of knowledge and expertise and contribute to the development and implementation of the FCA's enforcement policy, procedures and guidance as well as

  overseeing the work of junior colleagues and help support their development

• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including colleagues in case teams, Authorisations and supervisory business units, the RDC and external law firms

What will you get from the role

• An opportunity to be an integral part of a wider FCA team whose complex and interesting case work has a high impact and profile both internally and externally

• An opportunity to work on contentious matters of public importance and tackling the most serious financial services matters

• Satisfying, worthwhile and responsible work with the opportunity to use your legal skills in highly contentious matters, often under time pressure

• Engagement with senior stakeholders, at the highest levels within the FCA (and PRA where applicable) and the financial services industry

• A challenging, interesting and varied portfolio of work, working with colleagues from across the Enforcement Division, Authorisations and other parts of the FCA

• Work in a high-energy and stimulating division, within a supportive environment that continually seeks to develop members across the Division

The skills and experience you will have

Minimum

We are a signatory to the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. This means that we will offer an interview to disabled candidates entering under the scheme, who best meet the minimum criteria for a role.  

• A qualified solicitor or barrister with a valid practising certificate issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for England and Wales (if a solicitor), or the General Council of the Bar for England and Wales (if a barrister)

• We would expect you to have a minimum of 10 years’ relevant PQE/post-pupillage experience

• Clear and demonstrable experience of conducting either commercial litigation or contentious financial services proceedings

Essential  

• Extensive experience of conducting either commercial litigation or contentious financial services proceedings, including in the RDC and Upper Tribunal

• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral, including the ability to demonstrate impact and credibility with senior staff and professionals, both internally and externally

• Ability to deal with a considerable volume of evidence and exercise analytical skills to provide clear advice

• Ability to work independently in novel legal situations that require judgement

• A track record in delivering results against business priorities and a willingness to work under pressure to deadlines where required

• Demonstration of strong intellectual ability

• Sound knowledge of the Financial Services and Markets Act and the structure, practices and responsibilities of the FCA, Enforcement and Authorisations

• Good knowledge of core regulatory requirements applicable to regulated activities