We have an exciting opportunity for an emerging lawyer with exceptional writing and communication skills and a passion for fighting corruption and injustice, to join our small and growing team as a Legal Fellow. 

This one-year fellowship offers a unique springboard for an aspiring barrister or solicitor through its combination of practical legal experience (encompassing commercial, public and criminal litigation) and specialist policy exposure in the fields of economic crime and corruption.

Who we are

Spotlight on Corruption is a UK-based charity, founded in September 2019, that shines a light on the UK’s role in corruption at home and abroad. We want to see a society with strong, transparent and accountable institutions which ensure corruption is not tolerated and democracy flourishes both in the UK and globally.

We track how the UK is implementing its anti-corruption laws and monitor the effectiveness of anti-corruption enforcement in the UK. We build the evidence base for reform through our unique court monitoring programme as well as investigative research and extensive engagement with experts and frontline practitioners. The successes of our legal work include intervening in a major Court of Appeal case to safeguard the UK’s anti-money laundering regime, supporting a challenge to reveal the identity of a major political donor in a dirty money case, and winning the right to publish the jury bundle in a high-profile trial about a corrupt arms deal. 

Acting as policy entrepreneurs, we develop innovative and pragmatic solutions and disseminate our work through hard-hitting reports and briefings to inform decision-makers and the general public. We follow through with dogged advocacy, working in a highly collaborative manner to build consensus for reform.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a recent law graduate or early career professional with an outstanding eye for detail, strong analytical and research skills, and demonstrable experience in writing and communicating persuasively.

Working closely with our tight-knit and dynamic team, you will help deliver our unique court monitoring programme by following major cases related to corruption and economic crime that are heard in the UK courts. This work will give you invaluable first-hand exposure to legal proceedings across a range of courts and tribunals in England and Wales – not only high-profile criminal prosecutions and asset recovery proceedings, but also major commercial litigation and other civil claims, as well as judicial review proceedings and regulatory enforcement action.

As the legal fellow, you will benefit from the mentorship of a leading barrister as well as other support when drafting court applications or submissions and scoping potential opportunities for strategic litigation that could advance Spotlight’s advocacy objectives. Working closely with the Deputy Director, you will also engage with other top lawyers who serve on Spotlight’s strategic litigation advisory board. In the course of this work, you will help build our relationships with the legal sector as well as strengthen our relationships with law enforcement agencies, civil servants, journalists, and civil society partners, particularly in the Global South.

Drawing on your close monitoring of court cases and engagement with law enforcement agencies, legal practitioners and other experts, you will contribute evidence-based research, briefings, blogs and commentary on core areas of our work. This will require forensic attention to detail, strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, and a flair for communicating complex issues in a compelling and accessible way. 

You will be confident working with complex legal materials and following court proceedings while showing enthusiastic, creative and strategic engagement with the broader policy issues arising from our casework. You will feel comfortable drafting briefings to inform parliamentarians and influence decision-makers as well as contributing blogs and rapid-response social media commentary on key developments to advance Spotlight’s key messages.

The successful applicant must be London based in order to attend court hearings and regular team meetings. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Checking court lists, attending court hearings and writing accessible, high-quality monitoring notes

• Assisting with the drafting of applications and representations to the court on open justice issues including access to court documents and reporting restrictions orders

• Developing case studies for our corruption cases database

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

• Preparing and presenting briefings on the implications of cases and potential litigation opportunities

• 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 

• Excellent degree in law or a non-law degree with a law conversion course (GDL/PGDL) 

• 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 strong interest in corruption and economic crime issues and laws

• Eligibility to live and work in the UK

• London-based 

Person Specification: Desirable 

• UK-based practical legal or court reporting experience

• Completion of the Bar Vocational Course (BVC), Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) or Legal Practice Course (LPC)

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

Working arrangements:

Full-time, 35 hours per week (subject to discussion with the suitable candidate). 30 days of annual leave (plus public holidays). Largely remote working but must be London-based in order to attend court hearings and regular team meetings. Flexible working available, including a nine-day fortnight.

Responsible to: Deputy Director

Start date: As soon as possible