Lawyer

Electoral Commission

Lawyer

£62906

Electoral Commission, Edinburgh

  • Full time
  • Permanent
  • Onsite working

Posted 2 weeks ago, 28 Aug | Get your application in now before you miss out!

Closing date: Closing date not specified

job Ref: 84e380a80fc041b6b31031669c4dccd5

Full Job Description

The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity. The Commission is directly accountable to the UK Parliament, Scottish Parliament and the Senedd.

We are currently seeking at least one full time or part time Lawyer to join the Commission's Legal Team.

As a statutory body, the Commission relies on its Legal Team for high quality legal advice to advance its objectives and ensure it exercises its functions lawfully. The team is led by the Commission's General Counsel, who is currently supported by the Head of Legal, two Senior Lawyers, five Lawyers and a Legal Officer.

The role will involve:

  • advising on electoral law including during major political events such as UK Parliamentary General Elections, local elections, PCC elections, mayoral elections, referendums, and elections for the devolved parliaments.

  • advising on regulatory decisions and enforcement action affecting political parties and campaigners

  • working on proposed legislation and the implementation of new legislation and

  • advising on the Commission's wider legal obligations as a public body, including in relation to information law, procurement, contracts and employment matters.


  • Since the Commission operates in a niche area, we do not require or expect candidates to have experience of electoral law, but general experience of advisory work, statutory interpretation and public and administrative law will all be essential. You will be supported by one of the Senior Lawyers and receive training in role.

    The Commission operates a system of flexible and hybrid working and has offices in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. While most of the team are based in London, it would be possible for the successful candidate to carry out this role from any of the Commission's offices and we would welcome applications from dual qualified lawyers who are able to practice in Scotland as well as England & Wales.

    This is an exciting time to be joining the Commission. Our work is high-profile and varied with electoral reform, the regulation of parties and candidates, and devolution all being hot topics across the whole of the UK. The work is interesting, intellectually challenging and varied.

    The Commission is committed to increasing the diversity of its staff and creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment is decided on the basis of open and fair competition, merit and business need.

    To apply, please email an anonymous CV and a supporting statement that clearly explains how you meet the criteria outlined in the job specification.

    Submission Guidelines:
  • Anonymous CV: To adhere to our commitment to anonymous recruitment, ensure all references to educational institutions (years of attendance for primary and secondary education) and personal information are removed. This allows us to assess candidates based solely on their knowledge and skills, free from bias related to background, gender, or ethnicity.

  • Supporting Statement: Your statement should highlight your relevant skills, experience, in relation to the job criteria and person specification.

  • Submission: Send your anonymous CV and supporting statement via email to Recruitment@electoralcommission.org.uk .

    The Electoral Commission

    Cyflog: Cyflog Llundain: £62,906 / Tu Allan i Lundain: £60,711


  • Lleoliad: Llundain, Caerdydd, Belfast neu Gaeredin

    Y Comisiwn Etholiadol yw'r corff annibynnol sy'n goruchwylio etholiadau ac yn rheoleiddio cyllid gwleidyddol yn y DU. Rydym yn gweithio i hyrwyddo hyder y cyhoedd yn y broses ddemocrataidd a sicrhau ei huniondeb. Mae'r Comisiwn yn uniongyrchol atebol i'r Senedd, Senedd y DU, a Senedd yr Alban.

    Ar hyn o bryd rydym yn chwilio am o leiaf un Cyfreithiwr llawn amser neu ran amser i ymuno â Thîm Cyfreithiol y Comisiwn.

    Fel corff statudol, mae'r Comisiwn yn dibynnu ar ei Dîm Cyfreithiol am gyngor cyfreithiol o ansawdd uchel i hybu ei amcanion a sicrhau ei fod yn arfer ei swyddogaethau'n gyfreithlon. Arweinir y tîm gan Gwnsler Cyffredinol y Comisiwn, a gefnogir ar hyn o bryd gan y Pennaeth Cyfreithiol, dau Uwch Gyfreithiwr, pum Cyfreithiwr a Swyddog Cyfreithiol.

    Bydd y rôl yn cynnwys:

    cynghori ar gyfraith etholiadol gan gynnwys yn ystod digwyddiadau gwleidyddol mawr megis Etholiadau Cyffredinol Senedd y DU, etholiadau lleol, etholiadau Comisiynwyr yr Heddlu a Throseddu, etholiadau maerol, refferenda, ac etholiadau ar gyfer y seneddau datganoledig. cynghori ar benderfyniadau rheoleiddio a chamau gorfodi sy'n effeithio ar bleidiau gwleidyddol ac ymgyrchwyr gweithio ar ddeddfwriaeth arfaethedig a rhoi deddfwriaeth newydd ar waith, a chynghori ar rwymedigaethau cyfreithiol ehangach y Comisiwn fel corff cyhoeddus mewn perthynas â chyfraith gwybodaeth, caffael, contractau, a materion cyflogaeth.

    Gan fod y Comisiwn yn gweithredu mewn maes arbenigol, nid ydym yn gofyn nac yn disgwyl i ymgeiswyr feddu ar brofiad o gyfraith etholiadol, ond bydd profiad cyffredinol o waith cynghori, dehongli statudol a chyfraith gyhoeddus a gweinyddol i gyd yn hanfodol. Byddwch yn cael eich cefnogi gan un o'r Uwch Gyfreithwyr ac yn derbyn hyfforddiant yn y rôl.

    Mae'r Comisiwn yn gweithredu system o weithio hyblyg a hybrid ac mae ganddo swyddfeydd yn Llundain, Caeredin, Caerdydd a Belfast. Er bod y rhan fwyaf o'r tîm wedi'u lleoli yn Llundain, byddai'n bosibl i'r ymgeisydd llwyddiannus gyflawni'r rôl hon o unrhyw un o swyddfeydd y Comisiwn a byddem yn croesawu ceisiadau gan gyfreithwyr â chymwysterau deuol sy'n gallu ymarfer yn yr Alban yn ogystal â Lloegr & Cymru.

    Mae hwn yn gyfnod cyffrous i ymuno â'r Comisiwn. Mae ein gwaith yn uchel ei broffil ac yn amrywiol o ran diwygio etholiadol, rheoleiddio pleidiau ac ymgeiswyr, a datganoli, sydd i gyd yn bynciau llosg ar draws y DU gyfan. Mae'r gwaith yn ddiddorol, yn heriol yn ddeallusol ac yn amrywiol.

    Mae'r Comisiwn wedi ymrwymo i gynyddu amrywiaeth ei staff a chreu amgylchedd cynhwysol ar gyfer pob gweithiwr. Penderfynir ar bob cyflogaeth ar sail cystadleuaeth agored a theg, teilyngdod ac anghenion busnes.