School Solicitor

The Westgate School; Slough; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Westgate School in Slough is seeking an in-house solicitor to act as the school's legal representative, advising senior leaders and managers on employment law, dismissal, and governance.

You will manage disputes, conduct advocacy where appropriate, and provide pragmatic advice in a busy educational environment, with oversight of litigation strategy and compliance.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with strong employment law expertise.
• Excellent advocacy and case management skills.
• Ability to provide clear, pragmatic advice in a busy educational environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day legal advice to the school on all aspects of employment law.
• Advise Trust Leaders and HR on complex employment matters.
• Advise on disciplinary, grievance, capability, sickness absence, performance management and dismissal processes.
• Advise on redundancy, restructuring, TUPE and organisational change.
• Advise on discrimination, whistleblowing, equalities and protected characteristics.
• Review and advise on employment contracts, policies, procedures and settlement agreements.
• Support the school in managing employment disputes and potential claims.
• Assess legal risk and recommend strategies to minimise exposure to claims.
• Manage and conduct litigation and other contentious matters on behalf of the school.
• Represent the school in employment tribunals and, where appropriate, other courts, tribunals, hearings and formal proceedings.
• Prepare pleadings, statements, witness evidence, legal submissions and other documentation.
• Conduct negotiations, settlement discussions and mediations.
• Liaise with external solicitors, barristers, insurers and other professional advisers where specialist external representation is required.
• Maintain effective oversight of litigation strategy, deadlines, costs and risk.
• Act as an authorised legal representative of the school in appropriate employment and litigation matters.
• Attend hearings, meetings, investigations, mediations and other proceedings on behalf of the school.
• Provide legal support and representation to senior leaders and managers where required.
• Ensure the school's interests are properly protected throughout disputes and legal proceedings.
• Maintain professional and effective relationships with external legal representatives and other relevant organisations.
• Identify legal risks arising from the school's activities and provide practical recommendations.
• Advise on matters arising from the school's policies, procedures and operational activities where these have an employment or litigation element.
• Work closely with Trust Leaders and HR as appropriate.
• Ensure legal advice is accurate, proportionate and understandable to non-lawyers.
• Maintain appropriate records of legal matters, advice and litigation.
• Keep up to date with relevant changes in employment law, case law and education-related legal requirements.
• Contribute to the development of robust governance, policies and procedures.

Skills

Employment law

Advocacy

Case management

Education

Qualified solicitor

Job description

The postholder will act as the school's in-house legal representative, advising senior leaders and managers, managing disputes and litigation, and representing the school where appropriate. The role requires a solicitor with strong employment law expertise, excellent advocacy and case management skills, and the ability to provide clear, pragmatic advice in a busy educational environment. Employment Law

• Provide day-to-day legal advice to the school on all aspects of employment law.
• Advise Trust Leaders and HR on complex and sensitive employment matters.
• Advise on disciplinary, grievance, capability, sickness absence, performance management and dismissal processes.
• Advise on redundancy, restructuring, TUPE and organisational change.
• Advise on discrimination, whistleblowing, equalities and protected characteristic issues.
• Review and advise on employment contracts, policies, procedures, settlement agreements and other employment documentation.
• Support the school in managing employment disputes and potential claims.
• Assess legal risk and recommend appropriate strategies to minimise exposure to claims.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Manage and conduct litigation and other contentious matters on behalf of the school.
• Represent the school in employment tribunals and, where appropriate, other courts, tribunals, hearings and formal proceedings.
• Prepare pleadings, statements, witness evidence, legal submissions and other documentation.
• Conduct negotiations, settlement discussions and mediations.
• Liaise with external solicitors, barristers, insurers and other professional advisers where specialist external representation is required.
• Maintain effective oversight of litigation strategy, deadlines, costs and risk.

Representation of the School

• Act as an authorised legal representative of the school in appropriate employment and litigation matters.
• Attend hearings, meetings, investigations, mediations and other proceedings on behalf of the school.
• Provide legal support and representation to senior leaders and managers where required.
• Ensure the school's interests are properly protected throughout disputes and legal proceedings.
• Maintain professional and effective relationships with external legal representatives and other relevant organisations.

General Legal Support

• Identify legal risks arising from the school's activities and provide practical recommendations.
• Advise on matters arising from the school's policies, procedures and operational activities where these have an employment or litigation element.
• Work closely with Trust Leaders and HR as appropriate.
• Ensure legal advice is accurate, proportionate and understandable to non-lawyers.
• Maintain appropriate records of legal matters, advice and litigation.
• Keep up to date with relevant changes in employment law, case law and education-related legal requirements.
• Contribute to the development of robust governance, policies and procedures.Generous Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Holiday pay included in all salaries.
• We reserve the right to interview as suitable applications are received.
• The Westgate School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• All staff are expected to be aware of and follow the 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' advice and guidance.