Lawyer

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Ely; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

flexible working

childcare scheme (in approved cases)

training and development

occupational health programme

holiday and sickness scheme entitle m.

local government pension scheme

Job summary

East Cambridgeshire District Council is seeking a Lawyer to join its Legal Services team in a career progression role. You will handle a broad local government caseload, including conveyancing, planning obligations and contracts, reporting to the Director Legal.

You will enjoy a flexible working arrangement, development opportunities and the chance to contribute to high‑quality legal services across the Council.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with Associate or Graduate CILEX membership or equivalent.
• Experience in local government law or related practice areas is desirable.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Local government law

Drafting

Research

Analytical thinking

Time management

Communication

Microsoft Office

Customer focus

Education

A-level or equivalent

CILEX Associate/Graduate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Lawyer
Post number: LGS015
£38,510 to £44,253 per annum plus benefits

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.

Benefits

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

• flexible working
• childcare scheme (in approved cases)
• training and development
• occupational health programme
• holiday and sickness scheme entitlements
• local government pension scheme

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.

The council is an equal opportunities employer and operates a no smoking policy.

Company: East Cambridgeshire District Council

Salary: £38,510 to £44,253 per annum plus benefits

Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire

Sector: Corporate Services

Sector: Legal

Job Role: Solicitor