Group Solicitor - Civil Litigation

Oldham Council; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Greater Manchester is seeking a qualified Solicitor or Barrister to provide legal advice on various matters including public law and adult social care. The role entails attending meetings, conducting litigation, and offering management guidance to the legal team. Applicants should possess solid experience in civil litigation and an understanding of local government workings. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package including annual leave and pension schemes.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Attractive pension scheme

Discounted gym membership

Wellbeing support services

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister.
• Post-qualification experience in civil litigation (non-Personal Injury).
• Change management experience with input into organisational development.

Responsibilities

• Advise the Council on legal matters, particularly in public and civil law.
• Conduct litigation and provide guidance to team members.
• Attend meetings and provide necessary legal assistance.

Skills

Management skills

Team motivation

Understanding local government workings

Education

Qualified Solicitor or Barrister

Job description

Responsibilities

• To advise the Council, through its officers, directorate and committees, and any other clients, on legal matters primarily, but not exclusively, relating to public and civil law, adult social care, housing, debt recovery and associated areas, including attendance at evening meetings as required.
• To advise and attend at the Board Meetings of the Council's companies/partner(s) agencies.
• To attend Committees, Working Groups and other meetings with Members as may be required and provide advice and assistance as necessary to enable the Council to operate efficiently within legal requirements.
• Advocacy, personally and through Counsel, at Court, Tribunals and elsewhere.
• To conduct litigation.
• To give clear management guidance and assistance to all team members in respect of areas of expertise specific to the postholder and to assist and cover for other team members as necessary.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister.
• Post-qualification experience in civil litigation (non-Personal Injury).
• Extensive experience of motivating and managing a team, including change management, having input into organisational development programmes and effective working with staff.
• A clear understanding and knowledge of the workings of local government and its legal, financial, social and political context, political processes and the current issues faced in a multi-cultural area.

Experience

• Experience of at least two of the following:
  • Commercial litigation
  • Adult Social
  • Insolvency
  • Judicial Review
  • Property Litigation
• Evidence of successful resource and financial management, including evidence of the resolution of conflicting priorities and assisting with setting budgets.

Disclosure

The post is subject to a Basic Disclosure from the DBS.

Our Vision

We want Oldham to have vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where people are proud to live with opportunities for healthier, more fulfilled lives; and a sustainable, thriving economy. As we look to the future, the challenges may be significant, but so are the opportunities. We've identified three missions with our residents and partners, focusing on what will deliver the biggest impact: A Great Place to Live, Healthier, Happier Lives, and Green and Growing.

Values and Behaviours

By driving innovation, investing in our people, and championing our communities, we will ensure that Oldham continues to be a place where everyone can live their best life. To support this, we have three core values which define who we are and how we operate. These are 'Proud, Ambitious, and Together', and they shape our culture, inform our decisions, and inspire us to deliver on our commitments to the people of Oldham.

We have translated these values into five behaviours which guide our actions and are the standards we hold ourselves to, day in and day out :

• Work with a resident focus
• Support local leaders
• Committed to the borough
• Delivery high performance
• Take ownership and drive change

Benefits Package

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10-years' service
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups

Inclusive Recruitment

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace. If you're an applicant with disabilities and have previously been in or currently in care, a carer or someone who has served in the Armed Forces and you meet the essential criteria of the role, you are guaranteed to reach the first stage of assessment under our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme.

Data and Privacy

For details of how we use your data please see our privacy notice.

Important Information

Please note that should a vacancy that has been released for internal or external recruitment be deemed suitable for a current employee at risk of redundancy, it can be pulled back at any point, up to the post being formally offered to a candidate who is not at risk of redundancy. While we embrace the use of AI as an innovative tool to maximise our services at Oldham Council, we are looking for authenticity in applications we receive. We therefore ask you to think carefully if choosing to use AI when completing your application and ask that you ensure you read all instructions carefully and that your application is written by you and reflects your skills, knowledge and enthusiasm.