Position: Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) Location: Manchester, Warrington or LondonHeirloom Fair Legal is an ambitious, forward-thinking firm that leverages technology to ethically and efficiently offer Finance, Adjudication, Insurance and Representation services to UK consumer claimants. We are seeking a Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) to design and supervise the legal standards of care that we offer our clients and to ensure that we operate within regulatory best practices. Our solicitor firm is currently focused on data breach and financial mis-selling claims, but is quickly growing into other service areas. We operate ethically and efficiently to offer clients a Fairer standard of service.Role Summary: We are seeking a proactive and experienced Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) to lead the compliance function within our legal firm. This critical role ensures adherence to all regulatory requirements, promotes a culture of compliance, and supports the firm's strategic objectives by embedding best practices into operational processes. The COLP will collaborate closely with leadership and department heads to design, implement, and monitor compliance frameworks that meet both regulatory and organizational goals.Key Responsibilities:Fostering a Culture of Compliance:Promote a culture of compliance and ethical practice across the organization, ensuring all team members understand and adhere to regulatory obligations.Serve as a trusted advisor to staff at all levels, fostering an open environment for discussing compliance-related concerns and improvements.Lead compliance awareness and educational initiatives, embedding compliance into the organizations culture.Designing and Implementing Compliance Processes:Collaborate with department heads to design and implement policies and procedures that address the firms regulatory obligations under the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations.Develop and maintain comprehensive systems for documenting compliance activities, including risk assessments, complaints, and internal investigations.Establish protocols for managing complaints, ensuring timely investigation, resolution, and lessons learned are applied.Monitoring and Reporting Compliance:Implement a robust compliance monitoring and reporting system to track adherence to policies and regulatory requirements.Regularly assess the effectiveness of compliance controls and recommend improvements to ensure ongoing effectiveness.Prepare detailed compliance reports for senior leadership and regulatory bodies, ensuring timely and accurate reporting of any breaches or risks.Staying Current with Regulatory Changes:Keep abreast of the latest developments in regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and compliance trends.Adapt and update the firms policies and procedures in response to emerging risks and regulatory changes.Act as a resource for leadership and staff, providing timely updates and insights into regulatory changes and their implications for the firm.Supporting Risk Management:Identify, assess, and mitigate compliance risks to ensure the firms activities remain sustainable and compliant.Oversee the management of client complaints, addressing them in line with SRA requirements and ensuring proper resolution and documentation.Proactively review and adapt policies and procedures in response to regulatory changes or emerging risks.Championing Internal Training and Communication:Design and deliver comprehensive internal training programs to ensure staff understand their compliance obligations and remain informed of regulatory updates.Develop communication strategies to keep staff updated on compliance policies, processes, and initiatives.Facilitate regular compliance workshops or briefings to reinforce key principles and address emerging compliance issues.Continuous Improvement and Liaison:Act as the primary contact with the SRA and other regulatory bodies to address compliance inquiries, audits, and investigations.Encourage feedback from staff to refine and improve compliance processes, ensuring they remain practical, efficient, and effective.Drive continuous improvement within the compliance framework, integrating insights from industry developments and internal feedback.Key Skills and ExperienceA qualified solicitor or legal executive with significant experience in a regulated legal environment is preferred. Previous experience as a COLP is strongly preferred.In-depth knowledge of SRA regulations, including the SRA Standards and Regulations.Familiarity with AML, GDPR, and data protection requirements.Strong understanding of risk management principles and compliance monitoring frameworks. Proven track record in managing complaints handling, reporting breaches, and resolving compliance issues.Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.Ability to work independently while maintaining a collaborative approach with colleagues.Attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure.Experience in facilitating audits, regulatory reporting, and investigations.What We OfferCompetitive salary, performance-based bonuses and benefits packageOpportunities for professional growth and developmentA dynamic and collaborative work environmentThe chance to make a significant impact in the field of consumer protection litigation
Job Title
Legal Compliance Officer