Legal researcher

Spotlight on Corruption is looking for a forensically minded and highly self-motivated individual, with exceptional writing and communication skills and a passion for fighting corruption and injustice, to join our small and growing team as an anti-corruption legal researcher.

Deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 22nd October.

About Spotlight

Spotlight on Corruption is a UK based charity, founded in September 2019, which focuses on ending impunity for corruption in the UK and wherever the UK has influence. Our vision is for a society where strong, transparent and accountable institutions hold corruption in check and allow democracy to flourish. We track how the UK is implementing its anti-corruption laws and monitor whether anti-corruption enforcement in the UK is working effectively. A central part of that work is monitoring corruption cases in the UK courts – and producing analysis and evidence-based research on the lessons from these cases. 

About the role

We are looking for someone with an outstanding eye for detail and an ability to dig into the detail of a case. They must have strong analytical and research skills, and demonstrable experience in writing and communicating persuasively about technical issues for the wider public.  

The successful candidate will support our monitoring of sanctions related and corruption cases, working closely with our senior legal researcher who leads on court monitoring. This will include: attending court hearings, sometimes in person and sometimes remotely; writing accessible monitoring notes about these hearings; assisting with applications for court documents and making other relevant applications to court; and developing case studies for our court database on these hearings. 

The role also includes drafting advocacy briefings on the wider implications arising from court hearings to help inform and influence decision-makers, and assisting with research, advocacy and communications of Spotlight’s key messages. The successful candidate will be working with the Spotlight team on key policy debates relating to sanctions enforcement and implementation, the rights of victims of corruption, and accountability for professional enablers. The role will also require the successful candidate to build and maintain strong partnerships with civil society partners, particularly in the Global South, on issues arising from our court monitoring work.

The successful applicant must be London based in order to attend court hearings. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Attending court hearings and writing accessible, high-quality monitoring notes

• Assisting with the gathering of court documents including making representations and applications to the court

• Developing case studies for our court database 

• Helping draft briefings, blogs, social media content and other outputs on legal developments and implications of cases

• Undertaking research and analysis on key cases and the facts behind them

• Developing and managing partnerships with civil society partners in the Global South on issues arising from court cases, including developing joint work with such partners.

Person Specification Essential 

• Strong understanding of corruption and economic crime issues and laws

• Demonstrable ability to write and communicate complex factual and legal issues persuasively for the public and decision-makers

• Superb written and verbal communication skills

• Strong skills in information-gathering, research, analysis and investigation with an exceptional eye for detail 

• Proven ability to prioritise and juggle multiple complex tasks

• Proven ability to work on own initiative while maintaining strong communication with team members

• Strong organisational and administrative skills including IT proficiency, and a rigorous approach to maintaining records

• A passion for fighting corruption

• Eligibility to live and work in the UK

• London-based 

Highly desirable 

UK legal or court reporting training

Experience of policy research and advocacy in a non-governmental organisation

A strong understanding of key policy debates around economic crime enforcement 

Responsible to: Senior legal researcher 

Working arrangements: Full-time, 35 hours per week. 30 days of annual leave (plus public holidays). Remote office working from home required. Must be London-based to attend court hearings. Flexible working. 

Start date: as soon as possible 

Application Instructions 

Applications should be made by way of a covering letter setting out suitability for the role set against the person specification, and a CV.