Senior Editorial Lawyer

Job Description

Your team: The Times Editorial Legal team editorial advises Times Media Limited, the publisher of The Sunday Times and The Times which publishes daily and includes podcast, video and radio content. Editorial lawyers work in the newsroom with journalists advising on content for publication. 

Day to day you will:

• Provide accurate, concise expert advice to Times titles compliant with all current legislation, regulations and best practice
• Work with journalists to identify and discuss significant issues enabling publication and advising on risk on breaking news, reports and investigations, features and all content
• Exercise sound professional judgement in providing fast and accurate advice to editors and journalists pre and post publication in a news environment
• Advise on all pre-publication issues, including defamation, privacy, contempt of court, copyright, data protection and reporting restrictions and orders
• Familiarity with interventions to challenge or amend reporting restrictions
• Working with journalists on in depth investigations and reports, including a familiarity with newsgathering laws, source protection, and enabling defences
• Manage post publication complaints and enquiries
• Contribute to training for journalists to maintain high standards of journalism

What we're looking for from you:

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with  a minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience in media law and litigation
• In house experience preferred, delivering pre publication advice in a news environment
• Familiarity with the  Editors’ Code and the OFCOM Broadcasting Code
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly explain complex legal issues to journalists in a high-pressure environment
• Professional agility to provide accurate, appropriate and fast advice
• A forward-thinking perspective with a genuine interest in the evolving impact of Artificial Intelligence on the media landscape
• A dedication to free speech and  the defence of journalism, with a desire to facilitate editorial output
• Willingness to adopt a flexible approach to working hours, including evenings and weekends, and work fully office-based to support the newsroom and the team
• You will ideally be a solicitor or barrister with over 5 years post qualification experience in media law or litigation with in house experience
• Experience advising on pre- publication issues, including libel, privacy, contempt, copyright, Data Protection and reporting restrictions and managing complaints and post- publication matters
• Proven ability to work proactively and unsupervised in a fast-paced, high-pressure newsroom environment
• A team player who can follow instructions and  communicate and brief team members on legal issues and manage communication lines with the newsroom
• Conducts all responsibilities in alignment with the company’s core values, high ethical standards, and commitment to diversity and equal opportunities.

[Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk] is one of the leading media businesses in the UK and Ireland. Our newsbrands include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Sun on Sunday and The TLS. Our national broadcast brands include talkSPORT, Times Radio and Virgin Radio UK, and we have market-leading local stations across Ireland. Our world-famous brands provide news, analysis, opinion and entertainment to almost 40 million people each month. Spanning print and pixel, audio and video, events and experiences, our multi-format brands are home to a plurality of opinion, representing the diverse communities we serve. Driven by passion, guided by principles and acting with purpose, we exist to promote a fair society, freedom of speech and a little bit of fun. Rethinking continually the business of storytelling, we represent, reflect and reach the nation, telling the stories that matter.

Life at News

Driven by passion, guided by principles and acting with purpose. We represent, reflect and reach the nation, telling the stories that matter. We inform our audiences so that they can make decisions based on trusted information.

We represent, reflect and reach the nation, telling the stories that matter most. To ensure these stories resonate with as broad an audience as possible, it is essential that our organisation reflects the diversity of the people we reach. Whether through age, gender, ethnicity, disability, social class or sexuality, we are committed to representing the rich variety of voices that make up our society. And we champion a culture where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive as we continue to innovate and drive long term sustainable growth. This is done through our Diversity Strategy.

At [Employer hidden], we take pride in our exceptional employee-led networks that bring together individuals with shared interests and create a vibrant sense of community. We believe our networks play a vital role in fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture at [Employer hidden]. Groups that we support include the African & Caribbean Network, Parents and Carers, and LGBTQ+ group News Is Out, and the Apprentice Society.

Benefits

Some of our benefits include:

• Private medical insurance including coverage for pre-existing conditions
• Discounted gym memberships, free ClassPass at Home, weekly in person/ virtual exercise classes
• ‘Bikes for Work’ and ‘Electric Car’ scheme
• Up to 60% discount on Harper Collins books
• Maternity leave up to 18 weeks full basic salary & paternity leave up to 2 weeks
• Access to exclusive events and competitions with exciting brands such as talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK & The Times. Weekly virtual panel chats with top journalists and celebrities
• Access to wellbeing benefits such as EAP, physio/massage and counselling
• A generous pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5%
• Wide range of training available, plus full LinkedIn Learning access
• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays and up to 4 volunteering days per year

We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. If you require reasonable adjustments due to a disability or health condition at any stage of your application or interview, please let us know. You can contact us at [contact hidden] to discuss how we can support you to perform at your best.

About The Candidate

About The Company