Employment & Litigation Solicitor

Neath Port Talbot; Port Talbot; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agile hybrid working

Generous annual leave

Professional development

Career progression

Cycle to Work Salary Sacrifice

Relocation scheme

Employee wellbeing support

Job summary

Neath Port Talbot Council is recruiting an Employment and Litigation Solicitor/Barrister to join the Legal and Democratic Services Team. The role offers challenging work across employment law and wider litigation, with opportunities to influence local services and communities.

You will provide high-quality legal advice, draft critical documents and represent the Council in tribunals and courts, while collaborating with senior managers and services across the Council.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with current practising certificate, or a qualified barrister.
• Experience in employment law, litigation and advocacy.
• Strong drafting, negotiation and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on employment law and related matters.
• Represent the Council in tribunals, courts, hearings and ADR processes.
• Manage a varied caseload of employment and litigation matters.
• Draft pleadings, statements, agreements and reports.
• Support the wider litigation team with research and legislation interpretation.

Skills

Employment law

Litigation

Legal advocacy

Drafting & advising

Communication skills

Negotiation

Education

Solicitor with Practising Certificate

Barrister registered at the Bar

Job description

Details of the job are provided below. Further information is available in the Job Description and Person Specification.

Job details

Job reference REQ06012 Date posted 12/10/2026 Application closing date 18/11/2026 Location Port Talbot Civic Centre Salary £46,579 - £50,908 Per Annum Package Generous holiday entitlement, Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension Scheme with 22.4% employer contributions, discounted gym membership with Celtic Leisure and excellent development opportunities Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Legal Attachments PERSON SPECIFICATION (WLV).docx JOB DESCRIPTION (ELV).docx JOB DESCRIPTION (WLV).docx PERSON SPECIFICATION (ELV).docx Reasons to work for NPTCBC.pdf

Are you a qualified Solicitor or Barrister looking for a role that offers challenging legal work, genuine variety and the opportunity to make a real difference to local communities?

At Team NPT, we are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Employment and Litigation Solicitor/Barrister to join our highly respected Legal and Democratic Services Team. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your career within a supportive and forward-thinking local authority, working on a diverse caseload that combines specialist employment law with wider litigation matters.

As a key member of our Litigation Team, you will provide high-quality legal advice and representation across a broad range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters. You will work closely with senior managers, elected members and services across the Council, delivering pragmatic, solution-focused legal advice that supports the delivery of vital public services.

The successful candidate will be responsible for –

• Providing expert legal advice on employment law matters including disciplinary and grievance issues, policies and procedures, workforce change and employment disputes.
• Representing the Council in Employment Tribunals, County Courts, hearings, inquiries, negotiations and alternative dispute resolution processes.
• Managing a busy and diverse caseload of contentious and non-contentious employment and litigation matters.

The main duties of the post;

• Draft pleadings, witness statements, legal agreements, reports and other legal documentation.
• Advising on dispute avoidance strategies and legal risk management.
• Supporting the wider Litigation Team across a range of local government matters.
• Researching and interpreting legislation, case law and legal developments, ensuring services receive accurate and timely advice.
• Building strong working relationships with colleagues, managers and stakeholders across the organisation.

You will have experience in/of;

• Employment law, litigation and legal advocacy.
• Providing clear, practical and commercially aware legal advice.
• An effective communicator with excellent drafting, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Able to analyse complex issues and provide proportionate, solution-focused advice.
• Organised and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining high professional standards.
• Committed to delivering high-quality legal services and building positive working relationships.

Ideally you will be;

• A qualified Solicitor holding a current Practising Certificate, or
• A qualified Barrister registered at the Bar.

Previous local government experience would be beneficial but is not essential. We welcome applications from candidates looking to bring their expertise into a rewarding public sector environment.

We offer:

• Agile hybrid working arrangements that support a healthy work-life balance.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• Career progression within a supportive legal team.
• Cycle to Work Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Relocation Scheme (subject to eligibility).
• Access to a wide range of employee benefits and wellbeing support.

At Team NPT, our values of Connected, Collaborative, Caring and Confident underpin everything we do. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and develop their careers.

DBS requirements:

This post is not subject to a DBS check

Welsh Language Requirements:

Welsh Language skills are not required

Additional Information:

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have a disability and armed forces veterans.

In support of employees of Tata Steel who are at risk of redundancy, or have been made redundant in 2024, Neath Port Talbot Council is offering a guaranteed interview for jobs across the Council. Applicants must meet the essential criteria for the post to qualify for this. If you are or going to be affected by the job losses at Tata Steel then we would welcome an application from you. Just make it known on your application form that you are currently at risk of redundancy or you have been made redundant.

At Team NPT, we all work together to serve the people, communities and businesses of Neath Port Talbot.

We are committed to providing training opportunities and the professional development of all our employees.

We look forward to welcoming you to Team NPT.