Lay Prosecutor - 6 Month Secondment

Job Introduction

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Southeastern’s Debt Recovery and Prosecutions Department (DRP) as a Lay Prosecutor on a 6 month secondment.

This is a crucial role in defending the revenue and interests of Southeastern by prosecuting offenders against national, company and other legislation.

The main purpose of the will be to manage debt recovery cases to collect unpaid fares owed to Southeastern and to upskill Revenue Protection and Railway Enforcement colleagues in order to raise awareness and standards of report writing, to improve the level of successful prosecutions.

This role is office-based, working from International House Monday to Friday 09.00 – 17.00.

Take a look at the video below to see what we achieved in 2023!:

Role Responsibility

You will have a number of accountabilities and responsibilities in this role, that will include but not be limited to:

• Processing cases for prosecution and Debt recovery received from Revenue Protection and Railway Enforcement colleagues
• Ensuring that cases not meeting the criteria for prosecution are debriefed with Revenue Protection & Railway Enforcement colleagues, to aid learning and increase potential for prosecution
• Submitting all cases for prosecution, liaising with Magistrates and attending court to act as a prosecutor for cases on behalf of Southeastern
• Leading administration colleagues to ensure all tasks are completed within agreed timescales and standards
• Taking a commercial approach to prosecutions, ensuring fare evasion cases are managed in the most cost-effective manner, to obtain maximum return on investment
• Liaising and working with Courts and court officers for maximum recovery of restitution
• Maintaining records and compiling reports detailing the output of units and results of prosecutions including updating ongoing cases. This includes the financial performance of the unit at the end of each period
• Responding directly to correspondence where appropriate in a timely manner
• Reviewing and responding to individual reports when correspondence from defendants requires further attention
• Carrying out any other duties as requested by your Line Manager

The Ideal Candidate

To be successful for this role, candidates need to demonstrate the below in their application:

• A proven knowledge of Court Procedures
• Great knowledge of Railway/Criminal law and Magistrates’ Court Act
• Previous experience of railway revenue protection (desirable)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for preparing reports, legal documents and presenting cases in court
• The ability to negotiate settlements and plea bargains where appropriate
• The ability to build effective relationships with multiple stakeholders, including legal professionals and railway colleagues and management
• The ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously, ensuring timely and efficient progress.
• The ability to gather, analyse and present evidence effectively
• That you have high ethical standards and integrity and the ability to handle sensitive information and making fair decisions

Package Description

Southeastern recognises the value of every individual employee and offers benefits that reflect this.

As well as a generous salary, we offer an comprehensive benefits package which includes;

• A Contributory Final Salary Pension Scheme 
• Free rail travel on Southeastern and GTR rail services (extends to family members for leisure/educational travel)
• After a qualifying period, reduced rate travel on other train operators, including European services
• Up to 25 days annual leave entitlement (plus bank holidays)
• Private healthcare
• Access to an array of discounts for retail and leisure products through our benefits scheme.
• Family friendly benefits including enhanced maternity/paternity leave, parental leave and carers leave.

About the Company

About Southeastern

Southeastern runs train services into London from Kent and East Sussex, operating almost 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 400,000 passengers, serving 176 stations and covering 540 miles of track.

Just over 4,600 employees - mostly from the communities that we serve - work together to provide this vital service and we are looking to expand our successful team. We have a strong set of values that shape the way we run our business and guide our staff in delivering what our customers need. These are:

• We aim to be the best
• We make the difference together
• We care passionately about our people and our passengers

We are committed to being an inclusive employer, creating a workplace where everyone can come to work, feel safe and comfortable and able to do everything to the best of their ability. Read about some of the great Diversity and Inclusion initiatives our Head of Colleague Experience has been leading on here. 

We recognise the positive value of diversity and it matters to us that our teams reflect the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

We proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for Women. If you would like to know more information about how we are supporting our employees, you can view our policies and initiatives here.

We have also won the Top Employer award at the Women in Rail Awards 2022!

If you have been unsuccessful in the recruitment process for the same/similar position you will not be eligible to apply for a period of 6 months from that date.

All offers of employment are subject to us obtaining satisfactory references (covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years and any previous railway employment). We will also complete right to work in the UK and criminal record checks. This is to ensure we are employing the best person for the role and to protect our customers, colleagues and our reputation. We are unable to offer sponsorship to work in the UK. 

This post will close before the intended closing date should sufficient number of suitable applications be received. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for this role, we suggest that you do so at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.

SOUTHEASTERN is owned by SE Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL.’ DOHL has responsibility for three rail companies, LNER, Northern Trains Limited and SE Trains.