Principal Litigation Lawyer

Surreyheath; Camberley; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking local government organization dedicated to community service and engagement. As a Principal Litigation Lawyer, you will manage diverse legal cases and provide essential advice to elected members. This role offers a supportive work culture that values innovation and work-life balance. Enjoy flexible working patterns and a generous benefits package, including annual leave and pension schemes. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact in your community while advancing your legal career.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Local government pension scheme

Free parking

Subsidised gym membership

Professional membership fee payment

Cycle to work schemes

Shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in a legal team within Local Government.
• Advocacy experience in Magistrates’ and County Court.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of criminal and civil matters.
• Represent the Council in Magistrates’ and County Court.

Skills

Advocacy

Legal Drafting

Communication Skills

Case Management

Education

Solicitor/Barrister Qualification

CILEX Fellowship

Job description

Contract:

Permanent

Working Pattern:

Flexible Hours/Full Time

Hours:

37 hours per week.

DBS Check:

No

Closing Date:

13/05/2025 at 23:59

Reference:

LDS/25/311586

Join Surrey Heath Borough Council and be part of an organisation committed to delivery through meaningful community engagement and excellent customer service. We have a friendly and supportive staff culture with people who want to help make a real difference in our community for everyone that lives and works here. We embrace a culture of innovation and creativity welcoming new ideas. We support a work life balance with options for flexible and hybrid working.

About the Role

We are seeking to appoint a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of CILEX to join the Legal Services team at Surrey Heath Borough Council.As Principal Litigation Lawyer you will manage a varied and interesting caseload of both criminal and civil and regulatory matters. You will also represent the Council in the Magistrates’ Court and County Court and give advice to elected members in Licensing Subcommittee.

This is a politically restricted post in accordance with Section 2 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

About You

You will have experience of working in a legal team in a Local Government environment and will have advocacy experience in the Magistrates’ and County Court.You will have excellent communication skills. You will have the ability to draft legal proceedings and statutory notices. You can manage a range of complex and competing priorities and deadlines. You are an effective member of the team but can work without supervision and you can manage a diverse workload.

Additional Information

We offer a generous benefits package including a minimum of 23 days’ annual leave rising to 28 days after 5 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, a generous local government pension scheme, free parking for all employees and payment of a professional membership fee. As well as subsidised gym membership at our local Places Leisure Centre and great savings from supermarkets, shopping, cycle to work schemes and holidays via the My Staff Shop scheme. A laptop and mobile phone will be provided for your role if applicable.

Offers are usually made at the lower end of the salary band allowing for progression.

Interview date: 22nd May 2025

For an informal discussion, please contact Nathalie Boateng, Head of Legal and Democratic Services

on 01276 707310, [e-mail] on 01276 707310.

Our Commitment

Surrey Heath Borough Council is committed to equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. To fulfil this commitment we have robust systems in place for the safe recruitment of staff.

NO AGENCY CALLS PLEASE

Surrey Heath Borough Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

How to apply

Please apply online via the link provided.

Surrey Heath Borough Council is committed to safer recruitment and equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. If you are unable to apply online for reasons of disability, please call 01276 707126 to discuss any reasonable adjustments that may be made to accommodate your individual requirements.

Please note:

All successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment checks in line with BPSS guidelines, which includes standard identification, referencing and unspent conviction checks. Surrey Heath Borough Council undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.

For the best chance of successful application, please read the Job Description and Personal Specification fully before applying for this vacancy as it contains information you will need to refer to when applying. We do not accept CV’s submitted without a fully completed application form. To reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. If you choose to submit your CV with your application form we request that you remove all your personal details before uploading your CV. This will ensure that Managers cannot see your personal details when completing their shortlist. If you have not heard from the council within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful. All unsuccessful applications will be removed and confidentially disposed of 6 months after the closing date.

If you have any further enquiries please email [e-mail] or telephone [phone].

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