Litigation Lawyer

Thurrock Council; Thurrock; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Thurrock is seeking a Litigation Lawyer responsible for providing legal advice and managing cases related to local government issues. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in legal prosecution and excellent communication skills. This role offers a supportive environment with comprehensive benefits, including flexible working opportunities and ongoing professional development.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible and hybrid working opportunities

Ongoing training and professional development

Employee assistance programme

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Demonstrable leadership on high-profile local government prosecutions.
• Ability to explain complex legal issues clearly.
• Experience in managing a complex workload.
• Advocacy skills with a focus on legal representation.
• Experience as a paralegal within a legal services team.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on various legal matters and prosecutions.
• Conduct advocacy and represent the council in meetings.
• Manage a caseload and prepare legal documents.
• Support junior team members in their professional development.
• Contribute to governance processes and legal compliance.

Skills

Excellent demonstrable knowledge of local government prosecutions

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Excellent organisational skills

Effective leadership

Proactive and self-motivated

Good general IT skills

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Litigation Lawyer

Salary: £53,460 - £61,638 per annum

Grade: G

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

About the department

This is an exciting opportunity with growth in abundance at Thurrock. It is the perfect time to develop and progress in this vibrant and dynamic team. We are looking for someone with a passion for prosecution law, a proactive mindset, and a desire to grow professionally in a supportive and experienced environment. We welcome applications from candidates at all stages of their legal career provided they demonstrate strong legal aptitude, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to public service.

About the Role

As a Litigation Lawyer, you will be responsible for:

• Legal Advice and Case Management. Provide legal advice and support on a wide range of issues varying in complexity but not limited to:
• Provide legal advice on prosecutions under:
  • Education Act 1996
  • Environmental Protection Act 1990; littering, fly tipping, and statutory nuisance
  • Consumer Rights Act 2015 (Trading Standards)
  • Licensing Act 2003
  • Planning Law
  • Food safety and underage sales offences
  • Fraud Act, Social Housing Fraud
  • Disabled blue badge prosecutions
  • Other local authority prosecutions
  • Advice on litigation, including
  • Debt Recovery (e.g. Adult Social Care fees under the Care Act 2014)
  • Judicial Review proceedings
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, case law, and best practice.

• Advocacy and Representation. You will be expected to:
• Provide legal advice on prosecutions under:
  • Education Act 1996
  • Environmental Protection Act 1990; littering, fly tipping and statutory nuisance
  • Consumer Rights Act 2015 (Trading Standards)
  • Licensing Act 2003
  • Planning law
  • Food safety and underage sales offences
  • Fraud Act, Social Housing Fraud
  • Disabled blue badge prosecutions
  • Other local authority prosecutions
  • Advise on civil litigation, including
  • Debt recovery (e.g., Adult Social Care fees under the Care Act 2014)
  • Judicial Review proceedings
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, case law, and best practice.
• Provide advice to councillors, stakeholders and senior officers and to liaise with external bodies and legal advisers
• Attend decision making meetings including Committee Meetings remotely or in person, if required.
• Undertake advocacy on contentious planning and highway matters, draft documents and review Cabinet and Planning Committee Reports.
• Contribute to the improvement of the Legal Services Team
• Support junior members of the team, including the Legal Apprentice, in legal practice and procedure contributing towards their professional development.

• Contribute to governance processes, ensuring legal compliance and sound decision-making. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, case law, and best practice. Carry out research and provide legal advice to Client Departments on related legal transactions.

• Engage with senior officers and Members to offer high-quality legal services, with a focus on social justice. Collaborate with directorates to ensure efficient delivery of Council priorities. Become a trusted advisor, advocate and problem solver as you contribute to Thurrock's vision of client-focused and innovative service delivery.

• Personally manage a caseload and work unsupervised. Prepare, negotiate, draft, agree and process legal documents. Record all key actions and ensure data is regularly updated. Collate and send or check supporting legal and financial documents. Protect the Council's interests while taking precautions against potential fraud and money laundering. Review and update templates and procedures as appropriate.

• To notify and advise on any instructions or events that would result in a breach by the Council or an individual of any legislation, common law, standing order or rule of propriety or would constitute maladministration.

• Attend and participate in meetings with Officers of the Council and provide legal advice when required.

• Be willing and able to work in a flexible and agile way regarding hours and location of work, including remote and home working as required, with a minimum two days in the office.

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• Excellent demonstrable knowledge of leading on complex and high-profile local government prosecutions, including Health and Safety at work, Trading Standards, Environmental Protection Act, Fraud Act, and more.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to explain complex legal issues clearly and confidently. Ability to work collaboratively and build partnerships with experienced clients and colleagues. High emotional intelligence (EQ) and ability to navigate sensitive issues professionally.
• Excellent organisational skills to manage a complex and varied workload with a flexible, innovative approach and meeting deadlines.
• Be an effective leader, acting as an ambassador for legal services across the council, sharing good practice and encouraging innovation among colleagues, including training/mentoring junior members. Attend and advise in Committee Meetings.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with a growth mindset and willingness to learn. Ability to work on own initiative with minimal supervision, undertake research and make accurate, considered judgments and decisions.
• Assist in implementing best value and quality initiatives and improvements to client care.
• Relate the Council's key policy objectives to the provision of the legal service.
• Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives
• Advocacy skills
• Good general IT skills, especially case management/time recording packages
• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills
• Understanding of Local Government structures and legal frameworks
• Understanding of Law Society practice management standards
• Experience as a paralegal within a legal services team in a Local Authority or law firm
• Experience with quality initiatives and performance management
• Commitment to Thurrock Council values and to equality and diversity
• Commitment to agile working, including flexible hours and location with 2 days in the office
• Essential qualifications: Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives
• DBS Check: Standard

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 22 September 2025

Closing Date (Internal & External): 5 October 2025

Interview Date: 16 October 2025

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:

Godwin Mangse - Principal Lawyer, Litigation Team

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)