Lawyer

Lawyers in Local Government; East Cambridgeshire; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare scheme

Training and development

Occupational health programme

Holiday and sickness scheme entitl e m

Job summary

Lawyers in Local Government is seeking a motivated legal professional to join its Legal Services team in a career progression role, offering broad exposure to local government matters, including conveyancing, planning obligations, litigation, and contracts.

You will support officers, committees and the Director Legal, with opportunities for development and increasing responsibility within a progressive council environment.

Qualifications

• A-levels or equivalent education and CILEx Associate/Graduate membership or another relevant legal qualification.
• Strong drafting, research and analytical abilities.
• Ability to communicate clearly with a wide range of audiences.
• Experience in local government law or related areas is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Draft legal documents, correspondence, advice and reports accurately and professionally.
• Handle conveyancing matters, including leases and property documentation.
• Draft planning obligations under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
• Prepare pleadings for civil and criminal litigation and represent the Director Legal as appropriate.
• Draft and complete contracts and associated documentation.
• Attend meetings to provide legal advice and undertake resulting actions.
• Support training, service improvement and quality standards, including accreditation requirements.

Skills

Local government law

Research

Analytical thinking

Time management

Attention to detail

Communication

MS Office proficiency

Education

A-levels or equivalent

CILEx Associate/Graduate membership

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Permanent, full time, with flexible working arrangements considered subject to service needs

Are you building your legal career and ready to take on broader responsibility?

East Cambridgeshire District Council is looking for a motivated legal professional to join its Legal Services team in a career progression role, with the opportunity to develop experience across a varied local government caseload.

Reporting to the Director Legal, you will provide timely, accurate and practical legal support to officers, members, committees and the Corporate Management Team. Your work will cover a broad range of local government matters, including conveyancing and leases, planning obligations, civil and criminal litigation, and contracts.

What you will do

• Draft legal documents, correspondence, advice and reports accurately and professionally
• Handle conveyancing matters, including leases and documentation relating to the acquisition and disposal of property interests
• Negotiate and draft planning obligations under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
• Prepare pleadings for civil and criminal litigation and represent the Director Legal in related proceedings, as appropriate
• Draft and complete contracts and associated documentation
• Attend meetings to provide legal advice and undertake resulting actions
• Support training, service improvement and quality standards, including relevant accreditation requirements

About you

You will be educated to A-level standard or equivalent and hold an Associate or Graduate membership of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, or another relevant legal qualification. You will bring sound legal knowledge, strong drafting skills and the ability to communicate clearly with a wide range of audiences.

• Knowledge of local government law and experience in one or more relevant practice areas.
• Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to organise and prioritise your own workload in a changing environment.
• Accuracy, attention to detail and confidence working to deadlines.
• A customer-focused, collaborative approach and a positive, self-motivated attitude.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and willingness to learn the Council’s systems.

Develop your legal career

This role is designed to support career development. You will build your expertise through varied casework, appropriate training and increasing responsibility, while working closely with the Director Legal and colleagues across the Council. Progression will be linked to the development and consistent demonstration of the required knowledge, skills and competence.

In return, the council offers a range of benefits including:

• childcare scheme (in approved cases)
• training and development
• occupational health programme
• holiday and sickness scheme entitlements

If you are looking to work for an organisation that prioritises environmental sustainability, the Council has made a clear commitment to operate in a responsible and sustainable manner and has recently been awarded the silver accreditation of the Investors in the Environment scheme as well as coming 43rd (out of 164) on the latest national council climate scorecard.

For an informal discussion regarding the post please contact Maggie Camp, Director (Legal Services) on 01353 665555.

Adverts for posts that don’t require a DBS check or a Basic DBS check

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended 2023) and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and/or convictions. You can find more details about our policies for ex-offenders in the Recruitment Policy available on the on the website.