Legal
INTRODUCING LEGAL
Our Legal department is responsible for providing legal advice and guidance for all the different departments within Lancashire Constabulary as well as other varied tasks including the disclosure of information where required and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
MEET THE TEAMS
The Legal Services team is made up of Solicitors and Paralegals, supported by a practice manager and admin team, who provide advice to officers and staff across the Constabulary and represent the interests of the Chief Constable and the force. They also deal with any civil claims brought against the Constabulary and employment queries from HR or other departments.
This team is responsible for providing disclosure of police information to local authorities, solicitors and courts in connection with family court proceedings. When the cases include ongoing criminal proceedings, the team liaise with officers to make sure live investigations aren’t prejudiced.
The DBS Team carries out DBS checks for employment purposes when they’re required.
Case Study
Sharon Cottam
Job title: Force Solicitor
Length of service: approaching 35 years’ service!
I came to the Constabulary, on work experience from school, working in the HR Department dealing with routine post and typing. When I successfully completed my private secretarial certificate at college, I started working for the Force as a typist in the Operations Department, and acted up for the Chief Superintendent’s Secretary. I got a permanent post in Professional Standards where I continued with part-time study whilst working full time, attaining management qualifications and securing promotion into a management role. During this time I began studying Law and achieved a Degree with Honours and completed my Legal Practice Course part time. I was then offered, and successfully completed, a training contract and initially practiced Civil Litigation, supervising a small team of paralegals dealing with claims against the police. Following a restructure I moved over to the Legal Department and later was promoted to my present role of Force Solicitor. I now work within a small team dealing with Civil Prosecutions in the magistrates, county court, crown court and local family courts.
The Constabulary allowed me to complete my ONC, HNC and LPS part-time, while working full time and raising a young family. It helped me to work and study, which some days wasn’t an easy task with a baby to look after.