Lawyer

3 Month Contract With A local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide high-quality legal advice, representation and support across a range of litigation, property and local government legal matters, ensuring the Council's interests are protected and services are delivered in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations and best practice.

The postholder will manage a varied legal caseload, provide professional legal advice to officers and elected members, undertake advocacy where required and support the delivery of Council priorities through effective legal services.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and progress a varied legal caseload with minimal supervision.
  
• Provide legal advice and guidance to Council officers, managers and elected members.
  
• Handle legal matters relating to:
  • Criminal Litigation
    
  • Civil Litigation
    
  • Disputes, Arbitration and Mediation
    
  • Judicial Review
    
  • Employment Law
    
  • Housing Advice
    
  • Licensing
    
  • Safeguarding
    
  • Advocacy
    
• Conduct legal research and provide clear, practical legal advice.
  
• Prepare reports, legal opinions and case summaries.
  
• Attend court hearings, tribunals, inquiries and meetings as required.
  
• Provide advocacy and representation where appropriate.
  
• Attend committee meetings and provide legal advice to elected members.
  
• Support managers and senior colleagues within Legal Services.
  

Property & Regeneration Work

• Handle Freehold and Leasehold Conveyancing matters.
  
• Manage Acquisitions and Disposals.
  
• Undertake Right to Buy (RTB) legal work.
  
• Advise on Lease Renewals and Lease Extensions.
  
• Conduct property transactions through Auctions where required.
  
• Handle Appropriation matters.
  
• Support Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) processes.
  
• Provide legal support on Regeneration and Development projects.
  
• Draft, review and negotiate legal documentation relating to property transactions.
  

Service Development & Support

• Support service developments and improvement initiatives.
  
• Provide mentoring, coaching and training to colleagues.
  
• Share legal knowledge and best practice across Legal Services.
  
• Provide cover for colleagues within the legal team as required.
  
• Assist with maintaining high professional standards within the service.
  
• Undertake additional duties appropriate to the grade of the post.
  

Requirements

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with a current practising certificate.
  
• Minimum 1 year's post-qualification experience.
  
• Minimum 3 years' relevant legal experience prior to qualification.
  
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Criminal Litigation
    
  • Civil Litigation
    
  • Dispute Resolution
    
  • Judicial Review
    
  • Employment Law
    
  • Housing Law
    
  • Licensing
    
  • Safeguarding
    
  • Advocacy
    
• Experience managing a legal caseload independently.
  
• Strong legal drafting, research and analytical skills.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Ability to provide clear and practical legal advice.
  
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
  
• Ability to build effective relationships with clients and stakeholders.
  
• Experience preparing reports and legal documentation.
  

Desirable

• Local Government legal experience.
  
• Property and conveyancing experience.
  
• Experience handling acquisitions, disposals and regeneration projects.
  
• Experience attending committee meetings and advising elected members.
  
• Advocacy experience in courts or tribunals.
  

Additional Information

• Location: Enfield, London
  
• Hours Per Week: 36 Hours
  
• Payment Frequency: Bi-Weekly Payments