Litigation Lawyer (Civil and Criminal)

FQPS Academy Ltd.; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexi-time

Hybrid working

30 days annual leave + Bank Holidays

Employee Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Life assurance scheme

Professional fees paid

Discounted parking/bus & rail fares

Job summary

Preston City Council's Legal Section seeks an experienced Litigation Lawyer to join a collaborative team. You will handle a mixed caseload spanning enforcement of regulatory matters and civil and criminal litigation, and you will conduct advocacy in Court while managing Counsel as required.

A recognised legal qualification (Solicitor, Barrister, or ILEX Legal Executive) or equivalent experience is required.

Qualifications

• Recognised legal qualification or equivalent experience.
• Ability to handle a wide and varied range of litigation matters.
• Experience in providing clear, pragmatic legal advice to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Conduct advocacy in Court and manage Counsel as required.
• Provide expert support across contentious matters delivering clear advice.
• Deal with a mixed caseload including enforcement, regulatory matters, civil and criminal litigation.
• Work collaboratively within a team to deliver priorities lawfully and effectively.

Skills

Communication skills

Drafting skills

Advocacy in Court

Team player

Legal advice

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister/ILEX

Job description

Closing Date
23.59 hours GMT on Sunday 29 November 2026

Reference
CHLE01011

Litigation Lawyer (Civil and Criminal)
Salary: £46,579- £49,817 per annum
Permanent, Full Time — 37 Hours per week

Preston City Council is a vibrant Council committed to maximizing resources and developing employees. The Council is a family friendly employer, operating an excellent flexi-time scheme to support a healthy work/life balance.

The Legal Section is looking to recruit an experienced and ambitious Litigation Lawyer to play a pivotal role in a collaborative team.

You will need a recognised legal qualification (e.g. a fully Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or ILEX qualified Legal Executive) or equivalent suitable experience and be highly competent at dealing with a wide and varied range of litigation matters. You will deal with a mixed caseload and must be proactive and solution focussed driven to achieve successful outcomes for the Council.

You will work on a diverse and stimulating caseload providing specialist advice and assistance. The work covers areas such as enforcement of regulatory matters and criminal and civil litigation. You will conduct advocacy in Court and manage Counsel as required. In addition you will provide expert support across a range of contentious matters providing clear, pragmatic legal advice which will help the Council deliver its priorities lawfully, proportionately and effectively.

Candidates with private sector experience must have a solid understanding of how local authorities operate and demonstrate their ability to transfer knowledge and skills to successfully deliver a service within a local government context.

You will be a strong team player and have excellent communication, drafting skills and the ability to provide legal advice to a variety of audiences including senior officers

As an employer we like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of employee benefits including flexi time, hybrid working, a minimum of 30 days’ annual leave (plus Bank Holidays), family friendly policies, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension Scheme, AVC’s, life assurance scheme, payment of professional fees, discounted parking, bus and rail fares, a cycle to work scheme and access to a healthcare insurance scheme.

If you would like to find out more about this post please contact Susie Hedges on 01772 906515

International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship.

Will this role count as your QWE, and who will confirm it?

Check it against the SRA’s questions in two minutes. If there is no COLP or solicitor where you work, the SRA lets a solicitor outside confirm it: an FQPS solicitor can, from £149.