Advisory lawyer (18 month Fixed Term) - ( Ref : 6900 )

The MMO is the independent regulator for England's seas, driven by the government's aim for clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. The MMO's purpose is to protect and enhance our precious marine environment and support UK economic growth by enabling sustainable marine activities. The MMO undertakes effective risk based enforcement of its regulatory responsibilities in respect of its statutory and delegated functions. The MMO's legal team provides robust, innovative and pragmatic legal advice across the whole of the MMO's broad portfolio of activities.

The MMO is looking to recruit 2 fixed term advisory lawyers to support the current team. These posts can be based in Newcastle, Preston, York or Bristol, with a strong preference for Newcastle and Preston so as to be based alongside other team members.

Job description

The MMO legal team is a small legal team, supporting across the whole of the MMO's broad portfolio of activities. Sitting alongside MMO's Litigation Lawyers and Advisory & Drafting Lawyers, the Advisory Lawyer role primarily involves:

• Legal advice to the Marine Licensing Team on marine licensing applications and development consent orders for nationally significant infrastructure projects such as offshore wind and nuclear development.
• Legal advice to the Marine Conservation Team regarding the making of MMO byelaws, wildlife licences and European Protected Species Licences.
• Legal advice to the Marine Planning and Marine Global teams on matters arising from the exercise of relevant functions under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (the Act).
• Managing judicial review challenges brought against the MMO and managing appeals arising from MMO licensing decisions through the Planning Inspectorate and the First-Tier Tribunal.
• The provision of legal advice around all aspects of Fisheries Management, including advice relating to the management of fishing stocks and quota management, oversight of the larger Fish Producer Organisations and the licensing of domestic and foreign fishing vessels in UK Waters. Advice around the management of the import and export of fish from the UK and compliance with EU and international obligations.
• Provision of advice to MMOs Planning and Change team supporting change projects to improve the delivery of MMO projects.
• Advice to the MMO across its broad portfolio of functions.

Essential Criteria for this role include:

• Significant experience of advisory work in a regulatory setting.
• Significant experience in public and administrative law.
• Experience of civil litigation, practice and procedure.
• Experience in working with EU law and International/cross border legislation.
• Significant experience of working collaboratively within a public sector organisation.
• The ability to analyse complex legal issues and identify risks to the organisation.
• Intellectually confident, able to handle considerable complexity and ambiguity, and document heavy matters.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain and present issues in clear, structured and objective ways.
• An ability to work quickly and under pressure while remaining calm and focussed.
• A strong team player with the ability to develop a positive, supportive and inclusive culture.

The full details for the role can be found in the accompanying candidate pack.