Senior Contracts Lawyer

Service Care; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (2 days in office)

Public sector pension scheme

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Service Care Solutions is recruiting an experienced Senior Contracts Lawyer to join the Legal Services team on a permanent basis, handling a broad caseload of commercial contracts and procurement for a Local Authority.

The role involves drafting, reviewing and negotiating JCT and NEC contracts, ensuring regulatory compliance, and advising on governance and Contract Procedure Rules. A UK law degree and current practising certificate are required, with Local Government experience preferred.

Qualifications

• UK law degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised body.
• Qualified to practice as Solicitor/Barrister or CILEX with current practising certificate.
• Experience in Local Government or public sector contracts preferred.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage a varied caseload of commercial contracts and procurement matters.
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial and construction contracts (JCT/NEC).
• Ensure contracts comply with legislation, regulations and organisational policies.
• Review governance reports and provide legal comments on decision-making procedures.
• Advise on interpretation and application of Contract Procedure Rules.
• Handle high-profile, complex, politically sensitive legal matters.

Skills

Contract law

Procurement law

Legal drafting

Case management

Education

UK Law degree

CILEX/Solicitor/BBarrister qualification

Tools

JCT contracts

NEC contracts

Job description

Service Care Solutions is working with a Local Authority to recruit an experienced Senior Contracts Lawyer to join its established Legal Services team on a permanent basis. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced legal professional with a strong background in commercial contracts and procurement to take on a varied and challenging caseload within a local government environment. Working independently under the supervision of the Principal Lawyer, you will provide expert legal advice and support across a broad range of contract and procurement matters. This will include routine and complex legal matters, as well as high-profile and politically sensitive cases.

Salary: £55,224 – £60,905 per annum Location: Essex / Hybrid – 2 days per week in the office Contract: Permanent

Key Responsibilities as a Senior Contracts Lawyer:

• Independently manage a varied caseload of commercial contracts and procurement matters.
• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial and construction contracts, including JCT and NEC agreements.
• Ensure contracts comply with relevant legislation, regulations and organisational policies.
• Review and provide legal comments on reports relating to governance and decision-making procedures.
• Advise on the interpretation and application of Contract Procedure Rules.
• Handle high-profile, complex and politically sensitive legal matters.

About you as a Senior Contracts Lawyer:

• A relevant UK Law Degree or Diploma from the Institute of Legal Executives.
• Completed the relevant practice requirements to qualify as a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).
• A current practising certificate with the relevant professional regulatory body.
• Previous experience working within Local Government.
• A strong background in commercial contracts and procurement law.
• Experience drafting, negotiating and reviewing commercial and construction contracts, particularly JCT and NEC agreements.
• Knowledge of procurement legislation, governance requirements and Contract Procedure Rules.
• The ability to independently manage a complex and varied caseload.

Benefits:

• Permanent position with a Local Authority.
• Hybrid working arrangement with just 2 days per week required in the office.
• Public sector pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave