Lawyer

Plymouth City Council; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the United Kingdom is seeking experienced Childcare and Court of Protection Lawyers to provide legal support and advocacy in complex cases involving child protection and young clients lacking capacity. The positions offer the potential for remote working, strong emphasis on professionalism, and excellent communication skills are essential. This role also provides a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and a flexible working environment.

Benefits

26 days annual leave rising to 31

Flexitime scheme

Local government pension scheme

Employee benefits scheme

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic Solicitor or Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with relevant experience.
• Ability to manage complex case loads in childcare and court of protection law.
• Demonstrated professionalism and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver legal support on complex child protection matters.
• Conduct advocacy in court.
• Manage a full case load of childcare and court of protection cases.

Skills

Childcare experience

Court advocacy experience

Excellent communication skills

Drafting skills

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Solicitor or Barrister with a practising certificate

Chartered Legal Executive

Job description

Childcare / Court of Protection Lawyer – Grade I

Potential for fully remote working

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 practising 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 – Childcare Post

• 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.
• Do some advocacy.
• Manage a full case load which will include live childcare cases and pre-proceedings cases.

Responsibilities – Court of Protection Post

• 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.
• Do some advocacy.
• Manage a full case load of court of protection cases relating to 16- and 17-year-olds.

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

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