Litigation Lawyer (Corporate Governance)

Trafford Council; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Greater Manchester seeks experienced Litigation Lawyers to join its Legal Services Corporate Governance team. The roles involve providing legal advice on various matters such as criminal and civil law, advocacy, and debt recovery. Ideal candidates will possess a current practicing certificate and have experience in multiple legal areas. This role offers opportunities for skill development and a collaborative work environment. Flexible working arrangements are available.

Benefits

Living Wage Employer

Flexible working hours

Qualifications

• Experience in various areas of law including employment law, licensing law, and debt recovery.
• Ability to provide legal advice and represent the council at meetings.
• Competence in conducting cases in courts and tribunals.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and assistance on matters related to corporate governance.
• Support stakeholders by offering proactive legal guidance across various legal areas.
• Draft legal documentation and prepare cases for courts.

Skills

Litigation experience

Advocacy skills

Knowledge of criminal and civil law

Strong communication skills

Experience in drafting legal documentation

Education

Qualified solicitor, barrister, or Chartered Lawyer

Job description

Litigation Lawyer (Corporate Governance) x 3

Employer - Trafford Council

Location - Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Manchester, M32 0TH

Salary range - £40,777 - £50,269 (Band 8/9/10) dependent upon experience, plus market supplement of up to £2080

Trafford council is a Living Wage Employer.

Working Pattern - Full Time

Working hours - 36.25 hours per week, Monday - Friday

We will offer flexibility where we can - if you are interested in a role, please speak to the recruiting manager about what flexibility they might consider.

Many of our colleagues can work from home for one or more days a week and/or they flex the hours they work. We call this SMART working, and it gives you the option to flex your days and hours so you can fit your work around your life and life around your work.

Contract type - 2 x Permanent, 1 x Fixed Term

Application deadline - 23rd November 2025

Interview date - To be confirmed

Interview type - In person

About the Role

Due to the recent expansion of the Council's Corporate Governance Team, we have an exciting opportunity for three Litigation Lawyers to join the Council's Litigation Legal Team.

We are looking for experienced Litigation Lawyers with the drive and determination to contribute to the team's exciting vision.

Whilst a large proportion of the role will involve debt recovery and litigation, the Litigation Legal Team sits alongside a Corporate Legal Team and covers wide and vast areas of law, providing the postholder an opportunity to learn and develop new skills and expertise.

The roles are within the Legal Services Corporate Governance, which provides legal advice, assistance and representation to the Council, its Elected Members, its Officers, schools and other clients in a wide range of areas including criminal and civil law, regulatory law and enforcement, community safety, employment law and debt recovery.

The post holder will support stakeholders by providing specialist and proactive legal advice and assistance across a range of areas arising within the post holder's area of responsibility including, but not limited to:

• Criminal and Civil Litigation including advocacy
• Licensing law and public protection
• Employment law
• Enforcement of regulatory matters, including prosecutions (Environmental Health, Food Safety, Health and Safety and Work, Licensing, Planning and Trading Standards)
• Anti-social behaviour and community safety
• Local Authority Housing
• National Non-Domestic Rates litigation
• Inquests
• Debt recovery
• Commercial disputes
• GDPR, Data Protection and Freedom of Information
• Local Government law and procedures

About you

The post holder will be a qualified solicitor, barrister, or Chartered Lawyer / Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives holding a current practising certificate.

The post holder will have experience of one or more of the areas listed above and will be capable of:

• developing and advising on a wide range of high-level complex and sensitive work;
• representing Legal Services at committee meetings and other meetings of the Council and also represent the council's interests with external organisations;

• supporting the Principal Solicitors, Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer as required;

• Possessing up-to-date knowledge in respect of national trends, policy, legislation, guidelines, initiatives and best practice in Legal and Local Government;
• ensuring that the service meets all its statutory requirements and responsibilities; and
• communicating and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, building partnerships and productive working relationships to achieve shared objectives.

You will be an experienced advocate and litigator and will be able to prepare and conduct cases on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates, County and High Courts and before other Courts and Tribunals.

You'll be skilled at providing concise and clear advice, and carrying out legal research and analysis. You will be well‑organised and adaptable, as you may from time to time be asked to take on challenges outside your field of expertise.

You will need to have experience in drafting and will be skilled at drafting legal documentation. You will also possess commercial awareness and have a \