Legal Administrator - 05352

West Berkshire Council; Newbury; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid working 40% in office

Training and development opportunities

Local Government pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Local discounts

Wellbeing Programme

Annual leave 28 days + 5 after 5 years

Job summary

West Berkshire Council is seeking an organised and adaptable Legal Administrator to support the Legal Services Team within Strategy & Governance. The role involves handling enquiries, maintaining confidential records, processing finances, drafting documents, and supporting meetings and data protection requests.

The ideal candidate will have GCSEs including English and Maths, strong Microsoft Office skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to prioritise workload.

Qualifications

• The role requires a minimum of five GCSEs including English and Maths.
• Good keyboard, numeracy and written English skills with strong attention to detail.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office, Outlook, browsers and electronic filing or databases.
• Strong organisational skills with ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• Good interpersonal and teamworking skills with a courteous and professional approach to customers.
• Discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information with a flexible approach.

Responsibilities

• Respond to telephone, email and in-person enquiries from internal and external customers, resolving or referring them as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, secure and confidential electronic files, records, systems and databases.
• Prepare and format accurate, professional letters, reports, presentations and other documents within required deadlines.
• Undertake financial administration, including processing invoices, receipting income and maintaining accurate budget records.
• Organise and support meetings, including preparing and circulating agendas, taking minutes and maintaining action logs.

Skills

GCSEs English & Maths

Keyboard skills

Numeracy

Written English

MS Office

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Discretion

Education

GCSEs including English & Maths

Tools

Microsoft Office

Digital systems

Job description

We are looking for an organised and adaptable Legal Administrator to provide comprehensive administrative support to our Legal Services Team within Strategy & Governance. This varied role includes responding to enquiries, maintaining accurate and confidential records, processing financial administration, preparing high-quality documents, supporting meetings, and assisting with Data Protection and Freedom of Information requests and correspondence with courts and tribunals.

You will have strong organisational, communication, keyboard and numeracy skills, confidence using Microsoft Office and digital systems, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to prioritise your workload both independently and as part of a team. A professional approach, discretion when handling sensitive information and a willingness to learn and improve services are essential.

The role

• Respond to telephone, email and in-person enquiries from internal and external customers, resolving or referring them as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, secure and confidential electronic files, records, systems and databases.
• Prepare and format accurate, professional letters, reports, presentations and other documents within required deadlines.
• Undertake financial administration, including processing invoices, receipting income and maintaining accurate budget records.
• Organise and support meetings, including preparing and circulating agendas, taking minutes and maintaining action logs.

The ideal candidate would have the following qualifications, skills and attributes

• A minimum of five GCSEs at grades 9–5 (or equivalent), including English and Maths.
• Good keyboard, numeracy and written English skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office, Outlook, web browsers and electronic filing or database systems.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads, work independently and meet deadlines.
• Good interpersonal and teamworking skills, with a courteous and professional approach to customers.
• Discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information, together with a flexible approach and willingness to learn.

Our offer to you

West Berkshire Council Offer Excellent Employment Benefits Such As

• Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07.00-21.00
• Hybrid working wherever possible working 40% in the office
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities
• Generous Local Government pension scheme
• Family friendly policies
• A range of local discounts
• Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits
• You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years’ service.

Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career. Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here: Working with Us

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Sharon Armour, Legal Services Manager on 01635 519957.

Equal Opportunities

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.

This post is a Sensitive Post for the purpose of the Local Government Housing Act 1989 and the post-holder is therefore restricted from engaging in any prescribed political activities. In summary, this means that you are prohibited from holding political office and from involvement in any political activity within or outside the workplace. Full details of the restrictions can be found in the Council’s Policy and Guidance on Politically Restricted Posts.

This privacy notice applies to job applicants applying for vacancies with West Berkshire Council https://info.westberks.gov.uk/pnapplications

AI in Applications

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.