Principal Lawyer

Making Manchester Sa; Manchester; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in Manchester is seeking a dynamic Principal Lawyer to join the Children and Families Legal Team. This role requires a qualified solicitor, barrister, or Chartered Lawyer with a focus on delivering effective legal support for children's services. Join a team committed to high-quality representation and creating a safe environment for families.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Access to local government pension scheme

Enhanced parental leave options

Learning and development opportunities

Volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or Chartered Lawyer holding a current practising certificate.
• Extensive experience dealing with complex cases.
• Managerial experience in direct management or project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Join the Children and Families Legal Team to provide high-quality representation and legal services.
• Support safe and effective services to families, ensuring children's needs are at the forefront.
• Collaborate within a dynamic team to achieve innovative legal solutions.

Skills

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Planning and Organising

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Creative Skills

Strategic Thinking

Policy Skills

People Management

Education

Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX qualification

Job description

Join to apply for the Principal Lawyer role at Manchester City Council

Join to apply for the Principal Lawyer role at Manchester City Council

• 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.
• Qualification - Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX and registration with Law Society, Bar Counsel or CILEX
  
  

Working hours: 35 hours per week

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 11.59pm, 30 June 2025

Interview method: in person

This Role Is Subject To

• 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.
• Qualification - Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX and registration with Law Society, Bar Counsel or CILEX
  
  

We are looking for a dynamic qualified solicitor, barrister or Chartered Lawyer or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives holding a current practising certificate to join our Children and Families Legal Team.

Having investment into our structure we are growing our already effective team of lawyers, legal officer and business support team who produce amazing, outstanding results with an enhanced vision for the future. Aligning ourselves with Children’s Services to deliver safe, efficient, and effective services to families, the enhanced vision is supported by new team structures, an enriched training, mentoring and coaching tool and a new Case Management System. Highly valued by our clients, our excellent relationships and continual looking for better ways of doing things and achieving greater heights produces an innovative, responsive, inclusive and transparent legal service.

At The Heart Of Everything We Do Is

• the safety and needs of children
• high-quality representation of Children’s Services.
  
  

There is little else in life graver than a parent or carer losing a child from their care. How do we do this emotionally demanding work? It’s through teamwork - working together, trusting each other, combining our experience, and sharing our knowledge and expertise to get the right result.

We support each other, laugh, interact, problem-solve and have difficult conversations. This promotes deep learning and a strong sense of belonging and common purpose, creating effective mutual relationships that achieve our team’s goals. We feed on one another’s contagious enthusiasm for our projects with a dynamic team spirit made possible by the synergism between us all.

Why work with us?

We offer our lawyers flexible start and finish times with an effective hybrid working-practice model. There’s opportunity for development and variety thanks to the way our teams practise in our Lexcel-accredited and supported legal service.

Legal work for public services in Manchester, Salford and Rochdale Councils and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority puts you among the few practitioners in England’s first, and biggest, devolved region, where major decisions are now taken in-house rather than in Whitehall and by NHS administrations.

If practising in a supportive public service legal team is the right cultural fit for you, please get in touch for an informal discussion.

To arrange an informal discussion on these roles please contact Jennifer Heason on email at [e-mail]

Skills

As part your application, please submit your Curriculum Vitae and detailed Expression of Interest setting out how your skills and experience meet the role profile:

• Communication Skills - Negotiates more complex agreements with Council wide impact. Is able to influence and persuade key Council decision makers. Utilises enhanced advocacy skills.
• Analytical Skills - Application of strong analytical reasoning skills and intellectual focus, taking in the wider external and internal environments. proactively think through problems rather than reactively following a procedure-driven approach
• Planning and Organising - Ability to maintain focus and objectivity under various conditions and skill in managing and maintaining a multi-priority workload, progressing various ideas and plans concurrently.
• Problem Solving and Decision Making - Ability to react to immediate problems of a highly complex nature with associated risk factors and deliver pragmatic solutions sometimes under extreme pressure.
• Creative skills - Uses creative ability to find solutions and whilst considering policy and procedure is also confident in adopting (and justifying) novel or non standard approaches.
• Strategic Thinking - Excellent planning skills and ability to link strategy to policy which meets both internal and external requirements.
• Policy Skills - Ability to demonstrate how policy options deliver or align with wider political objectives at a national, regional and sub-regional level
• People Management - Has ability to secure and direct resources for a wide area with diverse staff with clear risks attached to decisions. Ability to define and articulate a strong sense of purpose and engender commitment across individuals and groups to a set of shared objectives.
• Qualified solicitor, barrister, Chartered Lawyer or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives holding a current practising certificate.
• Within Groups, Chartered Lawyers or Fellows may need to hold such regulatory practice rights in accordance with the business needs of the Group
• Relevant experience and expertise of dealing with a broad range of complex, highly value and sensitive cases relating to the group’s specific area of law
• Managerial experience via direct management of people or project delivery related management
  
  

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job - it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester Is Our Vision For a Fairer, Greener, And Healthier City - a Vision Shaped By The People Of Manchester. It Guides Everything We Do At The Council And Is Brought To Life Through The Our Manchester Behaviours

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
  
  

Benefits We Offer

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.
  
  

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
  
  

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

Requirements

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition
  
  

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, Offering

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.
  
  

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [e-mail].

What we will need from you if you’re successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement ofemployment.This is not arole we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre-Employment Checks

Required

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
• Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
• Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information
• Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.
  
  

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other Relevant Information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

Calculate your take home pay. Use this service to estimate how much Income Tax and National Insurance you should pay for the current tax year.

Privacy Notice

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Legal

• Industries

  Government Administration

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Manchester City Council by 2x

Get notified about new Lawyer jobs in Manchester, England, United Kingdom.

Manchester Area, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago

Manchester Area, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Manchester Area, United Kingdom 4 weeks ago

Manchester Area, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 2 hours ago

Cheadle, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Manchester Area, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 5 days ago

Lawyer (Children & Families Legal Service)

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Manchester Area, United Kingdom 21 hours ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 4 weeks ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago

Manchester Area, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 2 months ago

Manchester Area, United Kingdom 3 days ago

Northwich, England, United Kingdom 4 weeks ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Manchester Area, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Manchester Area, United Kingdom 4 days ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.