Principal Legal Officer

Leeds International; Leeds; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Leeds City Council is seeking a Principal Legal Officer to lead a substantial caseload in development, planning, highways and local government law. You will draft documents, provide high quality advisory services, and advocate in hearings alongside counsel as required.

The role requires strong drafting, advocacy, and client-facing skills, with a flexible, team-oriented approach and commitment to professional standards under the SRA framework.

Qualifications

• Solicitor or Barrister eligible to practice and hold a certificate.
• Experience in development, planning, highways and local government law is essential.
• Ability to provide high quality legal services and advice to clients.

Responsibilities

• Undertake a substantial personal caseload in development, planning, highways and local government law.
• Draft legal documents, agreements and advisory opinions for internal and external clients.
• Conduct advocacy at hearings, tribunals and courts as required, with support from counsel when needed.
• Ensure compliance with SRA standards and contribute to external income generation.
• Provide training and share expertise with colleagues and clients.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Legal Services and council departments.

Skills

Legal expertise

Drafting & documentation

Advocacy & courtroom experience

Case management

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration & flexibility

Education

Solicitor or Barrister with practising certificate

Job description

You will advise on a wide range of planning and highways matters, working closely with council colleagues and third parties to find pragmatic solutions to issues; and provide advice to the council, attending committee and board meetings on occasion as required., Job Purpose: The section covers the following areas of work: development, planning law, highways law, and local government law. The postholder will provide a high quality, value for money legal service, which actively supports the delivery of the Council's strategic objectives as set out in the Leeds Ambitions. The post holder would be expected to deal with advice and contested hearings, with more complex advice and advocacy being dealt with by higher graded officers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal professional work (both contentious and non-contentious) primarily in the area of development, planning law, highways law and local government law. The post holder will be expected to have this area of work as a focus but also to provide support on other areas of law as required, and any other local government legal matters and /or matters dealt with by Legal Services.
• To draft legal documentation, agreements and advice
• Contribute directly to the generation of external income and work flexibly across the Service as and when required.
• Undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal matters in one or more areas as set out above
• Draft and issue court and other documentation as necessary including instructions to counsel.
• Conduct investigatory and preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to court and provide advice/updates as to the progression of cases and the value of particular strategies
• Attend court/tribunals/inquiries/appeals with counsel as instructing representative if required
• Undertake advocacy on cases where appropriate including contested hearings.
• Work flexibly to support other staff across the Service and as part of a team to cover court, tribunal/inquiries/appeals commitments and other work as required.
• Provide advice to clients both orally and in writing.
• To provide and develop high quality legal services for clients
• Maintain an awareness of all legislative and case law developments which might impact on the work of clients and advise them as appropriate.
• Prepare and deliver training for clients and colleagues with regard to law and practice relating to their functions and work.
• Contribute directly to the generation of external income.
• Meet all professional requirements, for example and as appropriate, the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) competence framework in relation to personal development and SRA Standards and Regulations.
• Undertake work for other authorities under partnership and/or other arrangements
• Attend meetings, tribunals, inquiries/appeals and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council as required
• Carry out such other duties within Legal Services and the Council, and for other clients as required commensurate with the grade
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post., Resolve a wide range of legal problems in a local government context
• Draft and prepare clear and concise documents, procedures, guidance notes, reports, statements, letters and memoranda.
• Carry out effective legal research
• Contribute directly to generate external income
• Work flexibly across the Service as required
  As a Principal Legal Officer, you will bring to the role:
• the ability to manage a substantial personal caseload of complex legal professional work (both contentious and non contentious), primarily development, planning law, highways law and local government law legal work;
• good interpersonal skills;
• a "can do" attitude with regard to all aspects of the role, including advising and supporting colleagues, clients and members;
• the ability to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic and committed; and
• the ability to grasp and assimilate new information quickly., We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

Qualifications

Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a practising certificate or FCILEX. (FCILEX will need to hold a Grant of Rights of Audience or a Legal Executive Advocate Certificate)

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application, Test, and Interview Skills Required

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
• Plan and organise own workload, with minimum supervision, and to strict deadlines
• Act as an advocate on behalf of the Council including