Senior Property Lawyer

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide high-quality, timely and effective legal advice, representation and assistance to the County Council, its members, officers and committees, enabling the Council to discharge its functions lawfully and effectively. The role will manage a varied and demanding caseload, provide expert legal advice with minimal supervision, support the management and development of Legal Services, and contribute to reducing reliance on external legal support.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative and practical legal advice to the County Council, its members, officers and committees across relevant areas of law.
  
• Manage a full, varied and demanding caseload, delivering high-quality legal solutions with minimal supervision and in accordance with Lexcel practice management standards.
  
• Undertake and/or manage advocacy, representation and legal proceedings where required.
  
• Support the management of identified groups of lawyers, providing leadership, supervision, direction and expert legal advice in accordance with business needs.
  
• Supervise, coach, mentor and develop more junior members of staff, supporting high standards of professional practice and service delivery.
  
• Assist with the management of Legal Services and its resources, contributing to the development of a flexible, multi-disciplinary and effective legal service.
  
• Identify legal, operational and emerging issues, trends and opportunities and provide advice to support appropriate action and informed decision-making.
  
• Support the Monitoring Officer in advising the County Council on matters of illegality or procedural default and assist in ensuring such matters are appropriately investigated.
  
• Contribute to the development of policies, procedures and new ways of working within Legal Services and across the Council.
  
• Provide legal input into major projects, reviews, initiatives and strategic objectives, identifying practical and innovative solutions.
  
• Build effective relationships with senior officers, managers, members, external partners and professional advisers to understand requirements and deliver effective legal support.
  
• Contribute to the training and development of Council staff, ensuring awareness of relevant legal developments, emerging issues and changes in legislation.
  
• Manage legal resources effectively, demonstrating awareness of expenditure and the impact of commissioning external legal advice and representation.
  
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records using electronic case management systems, supporting a paper-light working environment.
  
• Promote and embed the Council’s values and behaviours, contributing to a collaborative, inclusive and customer-focused Legal Services environment.
  

Requirements

• Qualified as a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX, eligible to practise in England and Wales and holding, or eligible to apply for, a current practising certificate issued by the relevant regulatory authority.
  
• Substantial post-qualification experience in a relevant legal environment, with the ability to provide authoritative legal advice and manage complex matters independently.
  
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of relevant legal practice, procedures and professional standards.
  
• Experience of managing a complex and demanding caseload with the ability to prioritise competing demands and deliver work to agreed deadlines.
  
• Experience of, or aptitude for, advocacy and representation in legal proceedings.
  
• Strong legal research, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify risks and develop practical and innovative solutions.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide clear legal advice and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.
  
• Strong negotiation, influencing and relationship management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners.
  
• Experience of supervising, coaching, mentoring and developing junior staff and/or supporting the management of a legal team.
  
• Understanding of governance, decision-making, risk management and the legal framework within which local authorities operate.
  
• Knowledge of change management, project management and continuous improvement principles, with the ability to contribute to service development.
  
• Ability to work effectively and independently within a complex, fast-paced and changing environment while maintaining high professional standards.
  
• Good understanding of resource management and the importance of delivering effective legal services within budget.
  
• Comprehensive knowledge of computerised business systems and the ability to work effectively in a paper-light, electronic case management environment.
  

Additional Information

• Location: Surrey County Council
  
• Hours per Week: TBC
  
• Bi-Weekly Payments