The CCPC’s Legal Services Division is a centralised support function to the whole organisation. It comprises an inhouse team of talented and motivated solicitors and barristers who have joined the organisation from a diverse range of backgrounds. The Legal Services Division works on a collaborative basis providing support to the Commission Members, the Directors and the Divisions. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to be directly involved in a range of the organisation’s high-profile and interesting work as well as help shape a growing legal team.

Role purpose

The CCPC is seeking to recruit a Senior Legal Advisor to work in the Consumer & Product Safety team within its Legal Services Division.

The Senior Legal Advisor will be primarily focused on providing legal advice to the Commission and its various Divisions on administrative, civil and criminal enforcement of consumer and product safety law. It is envisaged that the successful candidate will take an active role in all legal aspects of the CCPC’s consumer law functions. This is an exciting opportunity for a lawyer to be at the forefront of the consumer regulatory landscape in Ireland and to make a significant contribution to the delivery of legal services in a dynamic organisation with a wide range of enforcement and regulatory powers.

The Senior Legal Advisor will also have opportunities to gain experience of other areas of law which impact the CCPC, including EU Law, public procurement, digital, data protection and Freedom of Information law. This position offers a fulfilling and responsible role in a busy and challenging environment dealing with interesting and varied legal issues. We strongly promote and support the personal development of every one of our lawyers and on the job training and education are provided to help you grow your expertise and skills.

You will be required to demonstrate strong leadership, analytical, interpersonal and organisational awareness skills. The broad range of issues dealt with by the Legal Services Division means you will have direct engagement with decision makers and will ensure that CCPC decisions are legally robust and that legal risk is managed effectively. You will be expected to contribute to and engage with the overall management of the Division and have opportunities to lead or be involved in divisional or cross-divisional projects.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide high quality, clear and timely legal advice on all aspects of the CCPC’s consumer law functions including policy, investigations and enforcement action.
• Lead and/or manage civil, administrative and criminal legal proceedings concerning the CCPC’s consumer law and product safety functions.
• Provide proactive legal advice and support to the CCPC’s enforcement case teams and build and develop relationships within the CCPC to further embed cross-divisional working.
• Lead and manage the performance and development of junior lawyers within the Consumer team including setting goals and empowering them in their roles.
• Liaise and maintain effective and professional working relationships with external parties, including external legal counsel, government officials, other enforcement agencies and the European Commission.
• Represent the CCPC at both national and international level at meetings and conferences e.g. the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN).
• Lead or assist in making proposals or recommendations to Government Ministers regarding legislative changes which will promote product safety and/or consumer welfare.

Essential:

• Candidates must have been called to the Bar in the State and entered on the Roll of Practising Barristers
  maintained by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) OR have been admitted and are currently enrolled as a solicitor in the State OR hold a professional qualification in law which may be an accepted equivalent.
• At least 3 years’ post qualification work experience either in a law firm, as a practising barrister, as in-house
  counsel, or as a legal advisor in the civil/public service.
• Knowledge of Irish and EU consumer law and product safety AND/OR experience advising on criminal investigations/prosecution; regulatory inspections and enforcement powers; AND/OR
  advising in a private or public sector environment on consumer facing issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to provide clear, focused and practical legal advice.
• Excellent legal research skills and experience in the use of legal research tools.
• Highly developed organisational and administrative skills.
• Oral and written fluency in the English language.

Desirable:

• Relevant qualifications and/or experience in law above the essential requirements.
• Knowledge of Irish civil and criminal court practice and procedure.
• Experience in dispute resolution, litigation or applying public law principles.
• Knowledge of the legislative process (including implementing EU legislation into national law).

Application process:

If you wish to apply for this position, using the link on the CCPC careers page please submit a CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the essential requirements and identifying where your experience is particularly relevant to the responsibilities of the post. Applicants should note that canvassing will result in your exclusion from the process.

For more details please click at Senior Legal Advisor

Closing date for applications is 12 noon, 7 May 2024.