Competition Lawyer, Technical Specialist

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is currently looking for a Competition Lawyer, at Technical Specialist level, to join their Legal, Enforcement & Competition team.  This is to cover career leave for 12 months.

What does the role involve? What are the key responsibilities?  

As a competition lawyer in the Legal, Enforcement & Competition team, you will be at the heart of the competition thinking and enforcement in the UK payments sector. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic lawyer to be part of a growing organisation that is shaping the world of payments.

We are building up our competition capability so we can respond to the sector’s multiple challenges. We are seeking one experienced competition lawyer, who is capable of taking responsibility for different aspects of our competition work, from providing legal advice to other PSR teams, to fulfilling different roles as part of a case investigation team (providing legal advice, developing theories of harm in conjunction with economists and technical specialists, conducting interviews, drafting information requests, taking a role in project management, including leading the case team). 

• Support and be accountable to the Legal Managers and ultimately to the General Counsel and Head of Regulatory and Competition Enforcement for the provision of specialised competition law advice, and related public law/ procedural matters, in relation to all areas of the PSR’s work including investigations, policy projects, market reviews, and market studies
• Deliver high quality legal advice, ensuring that the PSR’s processes are fair and lawful, and ensuring that the PSR’s decisions are robust, reasoned, lawful and underpinned by sound analysis and evidence
• Advising on the strategy, scope, and risks of a competition law investigation, and organising and affecting the gathering of evidence
• When required to act as Project Lead for competition cases, having day to day operational responsibility for the conduct of the case; ensuring effective progression of the project to reach timely outcomes, directly managing the work of the team and escalating issues to the Manager where necessary. Responsibility for the management of external costs
• Drafting all forms of documents (including witness statements, statutory notices, settlement papers, papers before the CDC and project updates for the Enforcement Forum) and correspondence with parties, their legal representatives and witnesses
• Carrying out detailed evidential analysis and making recommendations to the relevant decision-makers
• Maintain key stakeholder relationships, both internal and external (e.g. Competition & Markets Authority, European Commission, overseas regulators)

What will the candidate get from the role?  

A fantastic opportunity to work with a world-renowned regulator that promotes the interests of users of payment systems, including businesses, organisations & users - a place where you can really make a difference.

Being part of a highly valued group of employees whose value is reflected in our attractive salary and benefits packages and extensive development opportunities in economic regulation, financial services and broader professional skills.

Skills/Experience Required  

Minimum 

We’re a signatory to the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. This means that we will offer an interview to disabled candidates entering under the scheme, should they meet the minimum criteria for a role. A minimum criterion needs to be measurable from reviewing a candidate’s CV. Exceptions may apply if due to the volume of applications we are not able to interview all eligible candidates who qualify under the scheme.

• Lawyer, fully qualified in the UK, (or similar jurisdiction) with at least 9 years PQE in competition law
• Proven significant experience of antitrust investigations and/or competition litigation before the EU and/or UK courts or the Competition Appeals Tribunal

Essential 

• Responsibility for ensuring the quality of the drafting of a wide range of documents and correspondence in the context of a competition investigation or similar proceedings, considering the substantive and procedural aspects of the case.
• Experience in leading a team in a competition investigation or similar proceedings and proven ability to deliver to high standards with little supervision.
• Ability to deal with novel and complex competition law issues and proven experience of developing the required strategies/ solutions involving a multi-disciplinary team, including economists, lawyers, policy advisers and other specialists
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to inform robust evidence-based decisions and practical conclusions and recommendations
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships within the PSR and with external stakeholders, at varying levels of seniority
• Excellent prioritisation skills and able to provide a quality contribution where it is most needed
• Excellent reporting and communication skills
• The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Excellent drafting skills evidenced 

Desirable

• An understanding of UK/European legislation and regulation of payments, including the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013, the Payment Services Directives and the EU Interchange Fee Regulation

About the PSR  

Every time anyone uses a cash machine, transfers money, uses contactless, or gets paid, they use a payment system. Payment systems are always evolving and the PSR is here to make sure they work well for everyone.

In a fast-moving environment, we challenge the industry to adapt by supporting innovation and improving competition so that the UK benefits from world-leading payment systems.

We encourage collaboration to help solve problems and when we need to, we take difficult decisions and use our powers. We change our approach to get the best outcome for everyone.

The PSR is an independent economic regulator led by Managing Director, Chris Hemsley. Everything we do is guided by our statutory objectives: to promote competition and innovation and the interests of people and businesses that use payment systems. We are directly accountable to Parliament and the Courts and funded by the payments industry. We work closely with other regulators involved in this sector, notably the Financial Conduct Authority, the Bank of England and the Competition and Markets Authority. Operationally we are an independent subsidiary of the Financial Conduct Authority.

The PSR’s values & diversity  

In order to represent the people and organisations that we serve, we are committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our commitment includes disability, ethnicity, LGBT and gender identity through to mental health and social mobility issues.

Useful Information  

• This role is graded as Technical Specialist, L&F D1
• The salary range will be approximately 75,000 to 100,000 GBP plus a competitive benefits package and non-contributory pension
• Applications for this role close on 28th February at 23:55

If you are interested learning more about the role please contact Ciara.McCartan@fca.org.uk

Please note – Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted.