Apply here by 8 April 2022
As a legal adviser, your key responsibility will be to assist ACCA’s Disciplinary Committees, Admissions and Licensing Committees, Health Committees, Interim Order Committees and Appeal Committees by providing independent legal advice. You will take no part in the decision-making process but will assist committees in the drafting of reasons in respect of their decisions and produce the final reasons which may be publicised.
ACCA’s purpose
ACCA is a force for public good. They lead the global accountancy profession by creating opportunity.
About ACCA
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global professional body for professional accountants.
ACCA is a thriving global community of 233,000 members and 536,000 future members based in 178 countries and regions, who work across a wide range of sectors and industries. They uphold the highest professional and ethical values.
ACCA is seeking applications from those interested in becoming a legal adviser.
The Role
-> To act in the public interest;
-> Attend hearings of the ACCA committees including Disciplinary, Appeals and Admissions and Licensing Committees;
-> To review papers assigned by ACCA in preparation for attendance at those hearings;
-> Act as adviser to the Committee on all procedural and legal matters as specified in ACCA’s regulations as well as carrying out any other activity commensurate with the role of legal adviser to the committees;
-> To inform the Committee of any irregularity in the conduct of proceedings throughout a hearing;
-> Draft clear and concise reasons for each hearing attended, working in collaboration with the committee panel and adhering to ACCA templates and checklists/guidelines;
-> To provide legal advice to Committee Chairs, who may be considering on paper hearing documents; and
-> Work within a clear timescale to achieve the conclusion of hearings and complete reasons from hearings attended.
Person specification
-> Legal advisers shall be barristers or solicitors with a minimum ten years standing, with at least five years’ recent experience of working with tribunals in the field of regulatory law as an advocate, legal adviser or decision-maker;
-> Candidates do not have to be UK based as long as they can attend ACCA hearings at the designated times, but candidates must be either solicitors who are qualified and eligible to practice in England or Wales or barristers (Called to the Bar in England and Wales);
-> Have the ability to quickly analyse and interrogate a large volume of written evidence and assimilate complex facts and arguments within a legal framework;
-> Possess a high level of ability in writing clear, concise and adequate reasons for decisions that are equally appropriate for members, complainants and/or a lay person. Your decisions should be capable of withstanding external scrutiny and will be subject to publication on the ACCA website;
-> Be able to make impartial and proportionate decisions and remain independent and objective at all times;
-> Work constructively with others, and alone to tight timescales. Making decisions on an individual basis, while recognising circumstances in which assistance should be sought;
-> Be adaptable to changes in procedures and processes;
-> Have a clear understanding of what the public interest entails in the context of professional regulation;
-> Be proficient in IT systems, such as MS Word, Outlook, SharePoint and MS Teams;
-> Have an understanding of data security and the importance of maintaining confidentiality at all times; and
-> Have a willingness to engage with the organisation and participate in feedback and sharing of best practice.
Fees
The day sitting fee for a legal adviser on a one-day case is £900 inclusive of VAT. If the hearing spans consecutive days, any subsequent days will be charged at £450 inclusive of VAT.
It is estimated that each Legal Adviser will attend approximately 15-20 hearings per year. However, ACCA cannot guarantee a minimum or maximum number of cases.
Apply here by 8 April 2022
