Lawyer - Employment

Civic Recruitment Limited; London Borough of Hackney; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is recruiting for a 6-month contract role with a local authority in Hackney. You will manage a diverse caseload across local government law, providing clear legal advice, drafting complex documentation, and advocating in courts and tribunals when required.

The post requires Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or equivalent, with Lexcel-compliant practice and strong advocacy and negotiation skills. On-site, 35 hours per week, with DBS check if unsupervised access occurs.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor or barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
• Ability to comply with Law Society and SRA rules and Lexcel standards.
• Excellent written and oral communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a demanding caseload of routine and non-routine legal matters with minimal supervision.
• Provide clear, accurate legal advice to internal clients on legal interpretation.
• Undertake advocacy on behalf of the Council in courts and tribunals where applicable.
• Draft complex reports and legal documentation, and deliver seminars or briefings to clients and stakeholders.
• Use the case management system to maintain files and record chargeable hours (minimum 1200 per annum).
• Attend evening meetings and council/committee meetings as required to advise on legal issues.

Skills

Legal drafting

Oral advocacy

Negotiation

Case management

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister (England & Wales) or LEX Fellow

Job description

Hackney, United Kingdom | Posted on 06/11/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation.  That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

6-Month Contract with a local authority

Summary

• We are seeking a qualified Lawyer to manage a caseload of routine and non-routine legal matters across one or more specified areas of local government law. You will provide clear, accurate legal advice to clients, draft complex documentation, and undertake advocacy on behalf of the Council in courts and tribunals.

Responsibilities

• Manage a demanding caseload of routine and non-routine complex legal matters with minimum supervision.
• Provide clear, consistent, and accurate legal advice to internal clients on the interpretation of the law.
• Undertake advocacy on behalf of the Council in courts and tribunals (where applicable to the team's work).
• Draft complex reports and legal documentation, and deliver seminars or briefings to clients, Members, and stakeholders.
• Use the case management system effectively to maintain files (in accordance with Lexcel requirements) and record chargeable hours required for the post (minimum 1200 per annum).
• Attend evening meetings, Council committee meetings, and working groups as necessary to advise on legal issues, governance, and procedure.

Experience

• Experience managing a caseload of both routine and complex non-routine legal matters.
• Experience in one or more areas of law relevant to the team (e.g., Adult social services, Children’s Services, Employment, Environmental, Housing, Licensing, Local government, Planning, Procurement, Property, Prosecutions, Regeneration).
• Experience undertaking advocacy and presenting complex legal arguments.
• Understanding of the workings of local government and the issues affecting a multi-cultural inner-city area.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister (Supreme Court of England and Wales/English Bar) or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
• Ability to comply with Law Society and Solicitors Regulatory Rules, as well as practice management standards (Lexcel).
• Highly developed written and oral communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.

Additional Information

• Working hours: 35 hours per week (To be considered; must be able to attend evening meetings as required)
• A DBS check is required only if the post holder has unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults during the course of the job.
• We work on a biweekly payment schedule.
• This is an on-site role based in Hackney.