Legal Officer

Stratford-on-Avon District Council; Stratford-upon-Avon; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexi-time scheme

Health Cash Plan Scheme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Free Will writing services

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Free town centre parking

Training and Development opportunities

Professional subscription fee paid

Job summary

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is seeking a Legal Officer to join the team in Stratford-on-Avon. The role involves supporting the Head of Service and Legal Team Leaders, managing a personal caseload across planning, housing disrepair and general litigation, and preparing documents such as draft planning obligations and court bundles.

Applicants should have appropriate paralegal qualifications, experience in land and property matters, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Paralegal/Legal qualifications required as listed in Job Description.
• Experience with land and property transactions and/or litigation is expected.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Support Head of Service, Legal Services Manager and Legal Team Leaders in providing a thorough, reliable legal service.
• Manage and deliver a personal caseload including planning obligations, housing disrepair and general litigation.
• Draft planning obligations and prepare court bundles and related documents.
• Monitor litigation progress and ensure court deadlines are met.

Skills

Strong communication

Deadline-driven

Independent worker

Attention to detail

Education

NALP Paralegal Certificate (Level 3/4)

Postgraduate paralegal diploma

Law degree or non-law degree with further law qualification

Legal secretary certificate/diploma

Tools

Land Registry Portal

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Contractual hours 37

Basis Full time

Region Stratford-on-Avon

Package Permanent, Full time, Office based

Job category/type Administration / Clerical / Secretarial - inc PA, Legal

Following the promotion of one of our legal officers, Stratford-on-Avon District Council is looking for a new legal officer to join our team.

Based in the heart of Warwickshire, the beautiful district of Stratford-on-Avon is, without doubt, one of the most scenic and historical regions in the UK. Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s headquarters are located in the heart of William Shakespeare’s hometown. In the District, you will find thriving market towns, home to over 146,000 residents and a tourist destination for millions of visitors each year, from across the globe. We are proud to provide public services to residents, businesses and visitors across this magnificent region, making it a great place to live, work and visit.

At the Council, our people are our superpower and by choosing to bring your talents to our organisation, you will be joining a great team where everyone feels that they truly belong, full of dedicated people all working with passion and purpose, across a dynamic portfolio of work providing high-quality services.

As part of our team, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including:

Flexibility:

• A minimum of 25 days of annual leave, plus Bank Holidays (pro-rata for part time posts)
• Flexi-time scheme for a better work-life balance.

Lifestyle:

• Health Cash Plan Scheme for medical and dental expenses.

Professional Development:

• Training and Development opportunities.
• Payment of one professional subscription fee
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme to secure your future.
• Access to free Will writing services.
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Salary Sacrifice schemes e.g. Cycle to Work etc.
• Free town centre parking

What to Expect in the Role:

In this role, you will support the Head of Service, Legal Services Manager and Legal Team Leaders in providing a thorough, reliable, proactive, solution-focussed and accessible Legal Service to Members and Officers of Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwick District Council (“the Councils”), to any external clients and to collaborative partners.

You will be expected to manage and deliver effectively a personal caseload of legal matters including matters relating to planning obligations, housing disrepair and general litigation, including collating evidence and the preparation of paperwork such as draft planning obligations, pre-action protocol claims/ responses and Court bundles, and routine residential and commercial property matters.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities (Please see Job Description and Person Specification for more details):

The key accountabilities and responsibilities for support to the Planning and Regulatory fee earners within the team are:

• Monitoring progress of general litigation and housing disrepair files, and ensuring Court and other deadlines are met. Liaising with Housing at WDC for instructions in respect of these matters.
• Assisting litigation colleagues in the listing of matters for hearings and other procedural matters, such as the creation of Court bundles or the preparation of instructions to Counsel.
• Drafting of planning obligations; liaising with Planning colleagues at both SDC and WDC to finalise and arrange for the execution and completion of planning obligations.
• Managing a housing disrepair and general litigation calendar to ensure deadlines are met in a timely manner.

The key accountabilities and responsibilities for support to the Property fee earners within the team are:

• Monitoring progress of files and providing updates to Team Leader and clients.
• Assisting fee earners on larger transactions in connection with e.g. obtaining of title information, requesting and reporting on search information and preparation of title reports.
• Undertaking Land Registry Searches and all other functions of the Land Registry Portal.
• Dealing with matters arising from completion e.g. Land Registry queries and monitoring land registry applications for the Team.
• Preparing Deeds of Variation in relation to correcting title on former Council properties.
• Preparing Deeds of Covenant and certificates of consent and compliance in relation to restrictions placed on former Council or Shared Ownership properties.

What You’ll Need (Please see Job Description and Person Specification for more details):

• NALP Paralegal Practice Certificate of diploma (at Level 3 or 4), Postgraduate paralegal diploma, Law degree or non-law degree and post graduate law qualification or Legal secretary certificate or diploma.
• Legal experience of land and property transactions and/or litigation and/or planning obligations
• An ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• An ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise work under pressure
• An ability to work effectively with minimal supervision
• Strong attention to detail

Right To Work

Applicants must have existing Right to Work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) e.g. ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini etc.

Artificial Intelligence could be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by AI, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal applicants may be subject to disciplinary action.

Interview Format

All interviews for this position will be held face to face, as we believe this offers the best experience for candidates and panel members.

Applications will close at midnight on Tuesday 24 November 2026

Interviews will be held week beginning 30 November 2026