Assistant Lawyer

Plymouth City Council; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Plymouth is seeking a Childcare/Court of Protection Assistant Lawyer. The role involves delivering expert legal support on complex child protection and court of protection matters. Applicants must be qualified Solicitors, Barristers, or Chartered Legal Executives with experience in childcare or court advocacy. A flexible working model with the potential for remote work is available, while candidates must still attend court hearings in person as needed. The position provides 26 days of annual leave, with additional benefits.

Benefits

26 days annual leave

Flexitime scheme

Local government pension scheme

Employee benefits scheme

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with relevant qualifications.
• Experience in childcare or court of protection legal work is essential.
• Advocacy experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert legal support and advice on complex child protection matters.
• Manage a full case load which includes live childcare and court of protection cases.
• Conduct advocacy in court as required.

Skills

Childcare experience

Court of Protection experience

Communication skills

Flexibility

Teamwork

Education

Solicitor or Barrister qualification

Chartered Legal Executive qualification

Job description

Childcare/Court of Protection Assistant Lawyer

Potential for fully remote working

Are you a lawyer or a newly qualified lawyer with childcare or court of protection experience? If so, why not consider working for a local authority whose vision is to be one of Europe’s most vibrant waterfront cities, where an outstanding quality of life is enjoyed by everyone.

Plymouth City Council’s Legal service is looking to strengthen its highly respected Children’s team with the appointment of an experienced Lawyer or a newly qualified Assistant Lawyer with childcare or court of protection experience.

For both roles you will need to be an enthusiastic Solicitor or a Barrister with a practicing certificate or a Chartered Legal Executive with experience of working in either childcare or court of protection work. Post holders will be required to do some advocacy so relevant court advocacy experience is required.

You will need to demonstrate professionalism as well as excellent communication and drafting skills, together with a flexible and positive approach and an ability to work under pressure. You will have the ability to inspire confidence in clients and the courts.

You will be a team player, building excellent relationships within the immediate team and client departments, as well as having the ability to work on your own.

Responsibilities for the Childcare Post

• You will deliver expert legal support and advice to client services on complex child protection matters by telephone or at meetings without prior knowledge of the facts.
• The postholder will be required to do some advocacy.
• The postholder will manage a full case load which will include live childcare cases and pre-proceedings cases.

Responsibilities for the Court of Protection Post

• You will deliver expert legal support and advice to client services on court of protection matters relating to 16- and 17-year-olds who lack capacity, by telephone or at meetings without prior knowledge of the facts.
• The postholder will be required to do some advocacy.
• The postholder will manage a full case load of court of protection cases relating to 16- and 17-year-olds.

For both posts candidates working on a hybrid basis and able to attend court hearings in person mostly in Plymouth would be preferable; however, suitably experienced candidates wishing to work fully remotely will be considered (within the jurisdiction).

Benefits for Both Positions

• 26 days annual leave rising to 31 days after five years’ service.
• Flexitime scheme.
• Local government pension scheme.
• Employee benefits scheme.

How to apply for the Childcare and COP Lawyer/Assistant Lawyer positions

Whilst we would consider these roles being fully remote, all interviews will be in person.

We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role.

Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.

As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

For more information or an informal discussion about these exciting opportunities, please contact Leonie Sands, Senior Lawyer ([e-mail]) or Lucy John, Senior Lawyer ([e-mail]) at Plymouth City Council to find out more.

Please note we do not accept CV's or agencies.

Closing Date: Sunday 18 January