The government is advertising for a team of three qualified lawyers to work on all aspects of the response to the Post Office Horizon scandal. The Government Legal Department wants to recruit three lawyers with at least three years PQE on a salary of £59,200 each (£61,200 for those based in London).
The so-called Post Office ‘mini team’ will advise the Department for Business and Trade on all aspects of the various compensation schemes available to victims of the scandal. Hundreds of people were wrongly convicted over two decades and are now entitled to compensation under the guise of different schemes.
Lawyers are needed to make sure the principles set by the schemes are being applied and to advise on wider policy and operational issues. Work will also include advising on general public law, information handling, devolution, commercial and other issues relating to the Horizon IT scandal.
The job advertisement says: ‘This is an excellent opportunity for energetic and ambitious lawyers to further their experience and professional development in a range of areas, in a high-profile and fast-moving context and in a dynamic and supportive team environment.’
The closing date for applications is 14 March.
The Post Office mini team is led by senior lawyer Eleri Wones and sits within the Industry, Investment and Subsidy Control team, led by James Neilson and advising on all policy and financial aspects relating to the provision of compensation.
The GLD employs nearly 3,000 people, including more than 2,000 legal professionals, based at offices in London, Leeds, Bristol, Croydon and Manchester as well as overseas.
The government announced this week that it will take on more responsibility for handling compensation schemes currently managed by the Post Office.
Business minister Gareth Thomas said the department’s Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme will take on claims from postmasters who have had their convictions overturned by the courts. From 3 June all existing and new overturned convictions claims will be processed by the government. Thomas said he would make a further separate statement about taking responsibility for the bigger Horizon Shortfall Scheme.
