Solicitor

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide a comprehensive, high-quality legal service to the Council, delivering specialist legal advice, representation, advocacy and support across a range of local government matters. The postholder will manage a varied caseload, assess legal and commercial risk, support decision-making, and provide practical and legally sound solutions that protect the Council's interests and ensure compliance with statutory obligations.

The role requires building effective relationships with Members, senior officers, external partners and stakeholders while contributing to the continuous improvement of Legal Services and maintaining the highest professional standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a personal caseload of routine, complex and sensitive legal matters with minimal supervision.
  
• Provide accurate, timely and practical legal advice to Members, senior officers, departments and partner organisations.
  
• Conduct legal research, analyse legislation, case law and policy developments, and provide clear recommendations.
  
• Act as advocate for the Council in Courts, Tribunals, Inquiries, Hearings and related legal proceedings.
  
• Draft, negotiate and complete a wide range of legal documents, contracts, agreements, pleadings and reports.
  
• Assess legal and commercial risks associated with Council decisions, projects and transactions.
  
• Advise client departments on governance, decision-making processes and statutory compliance.
  
• Support and attend Cabinet, Committee, Sub-Committee and Working Group meetings, providing legal advice as required.
  
• Maintain accurate records using electronic case management systems and ensure compliance with departmental procedures.
  
• Keep up to date with legislative developments and emerging case law and share knowledge across the legal team.
  
• Contribute to the continuous improvement and modernisation of Legal Services.
  
• Support, supervise and mentor Trainee Solicitors, Legal Assistants and Legal Support Officers.
  
• Participate in team meetings, service development initiatives and corporate projects.
  
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and best practice in all areas of work.
  
• Protect and promote the reputation of the Council through professional and ethical conduct.
  
• Work flexibly to meet service requirements, including attendance at evening meetings, urgent hearings and out-of-hours commitments where necessary.
  

Areas of Legal Practice

Depending on team allocation and service needs, the postholder may undertake work within one or more of the following areas:

Property & Regeneration

• Commercial property transactions
  
• Acquisitions and disposals
  
• Development agreements
  
• Land assembly
  
• Easements and wayleaves
  
• Overage agreements
  
• Joint venture arrangements
  
• Right to Buy transactions
  
• Leases, licences and landlord and tenant matters
  
• Conditional contracts
  
• State subsidy matters
  
• Regeneration projects
  

Planning

• Planning applications and development management
  
• Planning enforcement
  
• S106 Agreements
  
• Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
  
• Planning Committees
  
• Public Inquiries and Appeals
  
• Local Plan development
  
• Listed Buildings and Tree Preservation Orders
  

Contracts & Procurement

• Public procurement law
  
• Contract drafting and negotiation
  
• Framework agreements
  
• Funding agreements
  
• Subsidy control
  
• Governance and compliance
  
• Multi-agency projects
  

Litigation

• Civil and criminal litigation
  
• Housing disrepair
  
• Anti-social behaviour
  
• Debt recovery
  
• Landlord and tenant disputes
  
• Employment-related matters
  
• Judicial Review proceedings
  
• Licensing matters
  

Adults & Children's Services

• Children Act 1989
  
• Adoption and Children Act 2002
  
• Care Proceedings
  
• Public and Private Law proceedings
  
• Court of Protection
  
• Care Act 2014
  
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
  
• Mental Health Act 1983
  
• Education tribunal matters
  
• Deprivation of Liberty matters
  

Requirements

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister.
  
• Admitted to practise by the relevant regulatory body.
  
• Current practising certificate.
  
• Significant post-qualification legal experience.
  
• Strong knowledge of Local Government law and governance.
  
• Experience managing a varied legal caseload independently.
  
• Experience providing legal advice to senior stakeholders and elected members.
  
• Advocacy experience or the ability to undertake advocacy work confidently.
  
• Excellent legal drafting, negotiation and analytical skills.
  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet competing deadlines.
  
• Knowledge of Council decision-making and governance processes.
  
• Ability to assess legal risk and provide practical, solution-focused advice.
  
• Experience using case management systems and electronic records.
  
• Commitment to continuous professional development.
  

Desirable

• Experience in one or more of:
  
  • Property and Regeneration Law
    
  • Planning Law
    
  • Procurement Law
    
  • Litigation
    
  • Childcare Law
    
  • Adult Social Care Law
    
  • Education Law
    
• Experience attending and advising Committees.
  
• Knowledge of Judicial Review proceedings.
  
• Experience of Public Inquiries and Tribunal work.
  
• Knowledge of local government political processes.
  
• Experience mentoring junior legal professionals.
  
• Understanding of commercial and community impacts of local authority legal work.
  
• Experience delivering training and legal updates.
  

Additional Information

• Hours per Week: 37 Hours
  
• Location: Hybrid Working / Council Offices
  
• Payment Frequency: Bi-Weekly Payments