Legal Officer C3

Leeds City Council; Leeds; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous pension

Hybrid working

Professional development

Staff benefits

Job summary

Leeds City Council is seeking a Legal Officer (C3) for the Social Care Legal team in Leeds. The role involves supporting Principal Legal Officers in Children’s Social Care law, drafting court documents, taking statements, issuing applications, and attending court with Counsel.

You will work within a supportive team, handle deadlines, and contribute to a dynamic, public-sector environment in Leeds City Centre.

Qualifications

• Draft clear and concise reports, letters, and memoranda.
• Relate well to people at different levels inside and outside the Council.
• Work as part of a team and adapt to flexible schedules.

Responsibilities

• Draft and issue Court documents and statements.
• Prepare cases for hearing and instruct Counsel as needed.
• Attend Court with Counsel and manage witness statements.
• Undertake legal research and respond to enquiries from external parties.
• Maintain computerised systems and organise workload efficiently.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Prioritisation

Draft court documents

Court attend with Counsel

Teamwork & flexibility

Academic qualification

Education

2 A-levels

4 GCSEs

Paralegal qualification

Job description

Job title: Legal Officer (C3) (Social Care Legal)
Salary: C3 £33,119 - £34,811
Hours: Full Time (37 hours per week)
Contract: Temporary contract (until 31 August 2027)
Location: Leeds City Centre
Leeds City Council is a progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses to create a vibrant and economically thriving city.
We serve an outstanding Children’s & Families Department, and seek a legal officer to be based in the Social Care Legal section.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About You

• good interpersonal skills,
• ability to prioritise your own workload,
• draft court documents,
• attend court with counsel and work to tight court deadlines,
• be able to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic and committed.
• the academic qualification

( 2 A-levels (grade A-C), or paralegal qualification (e.g., affiliate member of CILEX with 5 level 3 units) or equivalent qualification; or, 4 GCSEs (grade A-C) and 12 months experience of working within a legal environment within the last 5 years).

About The Role

You will work closely supporting the Principal Legal officers to undertake legal professional work, primarily in the area of Children’s Social Care law, The role includes amongst other tasks; taking statements from witnesses, drafting court and other documents, issuing and serving applications, attending at court with Counsel, undertaking legal research, dealing with correspondence and communication from CSWS, solicitors, the court, CAFCASS and other professional colleagues, gathering and collating evidence and redacting the same. The role is integral to our Social Care Legal team. You will be supported by an experienced team of Principal Legal Officers, Legal Officers and Legal Assistants; with supervision and management by a Team Leader.

What We Offer You

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

Job Description

Job purpose

to undertake legal work for and on behalf of Social Care Legal, including where appropriate, advocacy and preparation for hearings. Some clerical duties may also be required.

To carry out legal work primarily within the team and section named above but the post holder could be required to carry out work within other teams or sections in Legal Services.

Responsibilities

• To give written and oral advice as appropriate.
• To assist Officers in Legal Services with legal work
• Drafting documents - including drafting, issuing and serving Court documents.
• Preparing cases for hearing in Courts, including drafting letters, taking witness statements, collating and redacting evidence, arranging for the attendance of witnesses at Court and preparing Instructions to Counsel.
• Attendance at Courts with Counsel.
• To undertake legal research.
• Post-Court work to inform Clients of outcomes.
• Maintaining and operating computerised systems.
• Dealing with enquiries/correspondence from external solicitors, the court and other agencies.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

2 A-levels (grade A-C), or paralegal qualification (e.g., affiliate member of CILEX with 5 level 3 units) or equivalent qualification;
OR, 4 GCSEs (grade A-C) and 12 months experience of working within a legal environment within the last 5 years.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• To draft and prepare clear and concise reports, letters and memoranda.
• To relate effectively to people at different levels inside and outside the Council.
• To work and communicate effectively as a member of a team.
• To prioritise and organise workload.
• To possess or have the ability to develop IT skills.
• To work within time constraints.
• To work with minimum supervision within a supportive environment.
• To grasp and assimilate new information quickly.
• To deal sensitively with situations involving people who are experiencing distress or personal or other difficulties.
• To adopt a flexible approach.
• To express concepts and ideas clearly.
• To negotiate with external organisations (including legal and other professional representatives and Court Officers).
• Knowledge of office procedures and practice
• Experience of using IT systems such as Windows (Word, Excel, Databases).
• Experience of organising and planning own work with minimum supervision.
• Experience of dealing with enquiries and correspondence from a wide range of people.
• Experience of working as a member of a team.

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
• Knowledge of law and practice relating to Local Government.
• Knowledge of law and practice relating to Social Services.
• Experience of working in a legal office.
• Experience of working for a Local Authority.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role contact Safeena Koshar (Team Leader) on 0113 3789101 or in her absence Rebecca Roberts (Section Head) on tel:[phone] or email at [e-mail] or [e-mail]