Senior Legal Adviser

Hampshire County Council; Abbots Worthy; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading local authority in England seeks a qualified Solicitor or Barrister to provide legal services. The candidate will advise on contentious matters, represent clients in court, and manage cases effectively. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong drafting, communication, and case management skills, possess experience in civil or criminal litigation, and be able to work as part of a supportive team. Flexibility and work-life balance are prioritized, supported by a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Holiday entitlement

Flexible working options

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Must be a practising Solicitor, Barrister, or FCILEx.
• Good knowledge of civil and criminal litigation required.
• Ability to travel within Hampshire may be necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to the Council and external clients.
• Represent clients at courts and tribunals.
• Manage cases in accordance with regulations.

Skills

Effective legal advice

Good communication

Case management skills

Good drafting skills

Advocacy skills

Teamwork

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a practising Solicitor, Barrister, or FCILEx to join our Legal Services at Hampshire County Council. Are you looking for a challenging and diverse role working as part of a friendly and supportive team, with an opportunity to make a real difference? Here at Hampshire Legal Services, we pride ourselves on the breadth and depth of difference we can make. We enable the County Council to make positive changes and deliver more for residents across the County and beyond. We also support external partners in the provision of commercial and cost-effective legal services. The Role: Joining our friendly and supportive Lexcel accredited in-house legal team, you will support a wide variety of clients on a range of matters, including both civil litigation and criminal litigation. We are looking for candidates who have the ability to work across different work types to provide greater agility in adapting to changing demands. What you'll do:

• Provide effective legal advice to the Council or external public sector clients on a range of contentious business. To prepare cases, including researching law as required, liaising with the Council or other clients and comprehensively briefing counsel where necessary in order to ensure that the Council or other clients are represented in a consistently effective and professional manner.
• Effectively represent the Council and external public sector clients at courts & tribunals, undertaking advocacy as required to a high professional standard in order to achieve client and organisational aims and objectives.
• Manage cases in accordance with the SRA Code of Conduct, Office Procedures Manual, Client Care Policy and accreditations such as Lexcel.
• Attend and contribute to team meetings, ensuring that relevant information is shared effectively. To share information and support colleagues on a daily basis in order to ensure the provision of an efficient service.
• Effectively facilitate training workshops to directorates in order to share expertise and contribute to the provision of a professional service.
• Ensure that all relevant initiatives and legislation are considered in the advice and action recommended to clients, and in the preparation of cases.
  
  Good drafting skills.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• Good understanding of the concept of client care with evidence of having applied this in practice.
• Good self-organisation, time and case management skills.
• Ability to work unsupervised.
• Ability to work as part of a team and contribute towards overall practice development.
• Good knowledge and recent experience of providing legal advice on either civil litigation and/or criminal litigation, the latter ideally as a prosecutor.
• You may be required to visit other locations within Hampshire, and therefore need to have the ability to travel, as necessary.
  
  Our benefits package includes details of the holiday entitlement, pension scheme, flexi-time scheme, family friendly policies and interest free travel loans and discounts.
• We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace.
• We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of, where you are empowered to be your best and a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.
If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch! Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment. Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your skills and offers a great work life balance. You need to sign in or create an account to save a job.