Principal Lawyer Technical Specialist

Manchester City Council; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector authority is seeking a Principal Lawyer Technical Specialist in Manchester to handle legal matters related to children's services. You will be responsible for providing high-quality legal representation while working in a dedicated team. The role offers a permanent, full-time position with generous benefits including a flexible working model and opportunities for professional growth. Candidates must be qualified solicitors or barristers with relevant experience.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Local Government pension scheme

Enhanced parental leave

Learning and development opportunities

Volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Lawyer with current practicing certificate.
• Experience in child care law is preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in a supportive legal team.

Responsibilities

• Handle legal matters related to children's services.
• Provide high-quality representation for Children's Services.
• Collaborate as part of a dedicated legal team.

Skills

Qualified Solicitor

Barrister with Litigation Conduct Authorisation

Chartered Lawyer

Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives with Advocacy Certificate

Education

Current practicing certificate

Job description

Principal Lawyer Technical Specialist

Grade 11 £55,940- £59,715(Bar at £58,498) per annum pro rata

Permanent

Town Hall Extension, Albert Square, Manchester, M60 2LA

Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/yspjc72y

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time

Closing date: 11.59pm, 23 January 2026

Interview method: Face to Face

This role is subject to

• Qualification and Registration - Qualified Solicitor, Barrister (with Litigation Conduct Authorisation), Chartered Lawyer or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (with Advocacy Certificate) holding a current practising certificate.
• 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. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.
• This post is classified as politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009. This act imposes restrictions on political activities by employees who hold certain positions. Further guidance will be indicated in the appointment documents.

When it comes to your career, the idea of climbing the corporate ladder might seem like the ultimate goal. But does career progression always have to mean stepping into a full time management role? Not necessarily. We’ve created the perfect balance. Our newly re-profiled roles are designed in direct response to valuable feedback about how to progress your career beyond Senior Lawyer and positive feedback from our colleagues in the Legal Service where Technical Roles already exist. We’ve also listened to our clients and considered the changing business needs in our specialist area of work. Unlike before, when advancement meant choosing either a full time management‑focused path or switching to an alternative role, this innovative position empowers experienced child care lawyers to step forward—gaining hands‑on management experience while continuing as a technical specialist. It’s the best of both worlds: professional growth without sacrificing the work you love. This unique opportunity sets us apart from other local authorities, and opens a door that’s rarely available elsewhere. These Principal Lawyer Technical Specialist roles will sit in the Public Law Sub Group of the Children & Families Legal Group.

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.

Put your legal experience to work for Manchester

About the Candidate

★Are your skills and legal mind being rewarded?
★Do you work together as part of a supportive team?
★Is your work wide‑range and varied?
★Are you achieving your goals?

Be part of our ongoing incredible journey.

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 Jonathan Broad, Assistant Director, Legal & Democratic Services, Children & Families Legal Services by email at [e-mail]

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

About Us

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

Working for Manchester is not 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 newborn 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, recognise 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

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 of employment. This is not a role 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

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

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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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