Senior Legal Officer

Manchester City Council; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 26 days’ annual leave

Buy up to two extra weeks’ leave

Volunteer leave

35-hour work week

UK's largest local government pension

Enhanced parental and carers leave

Employee discounts and perks

Job summary

Manchester City Council in Manchester is seeking a Chartered Legal Executive or equivalent to join the Civil Litigation Group within Legal Services. You will handle a wide range of claims against the Council, including Personal Injury and damage claims, with a focus on civil procedure and strategic case management.

You will draft, review and advise on case merits, meet deadlines, and collaborate with colleagues to achieve positive outcomes for the Council and communities served.

Qualifications

• Experience of claims handling and knowledge of the Civil Procedure Rules.
• Ability to communicate clearly and draft and negotiate effectively.
• Strong research and analytical skills for civil litigation.

Responsibilities

• Handle a wide range of claims against the City Council, including Personal Injury and damage claims.
• Provide legal advice on merits of cases and ensure deadlines are met.
• Draft, review and manage documentation and proceedings in civil litigation.

Skills

Claims handling

Civil Procedure Rules

Communication skills

Drafting

Research

Negotiation skills

Education

Chartered Legal Executive or equivalent

Job description

Key Details

Working hours: 35 hours per week

Contract type: Permanent

Working style: Hybrid - Employees split their time between working remotely (e.g., from home) and working on-site (e.g., in an office).

Closing date: 11.59pm, 30 September 2026

Interview method: in person

Interview date: 11 November 2026

Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This role is subject to

• Legal right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment.
• 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
• Qualification - Chartered Legal Executive or equivalent

This role is within the Civil Litigation Group (Legal Services).

The successful candidate will be an integral part of a team that deals with a wide range of cases relating to both debt recovery and claims litigation. You'll primarily deal with a variety of different types of Claims brought against the City Council including both Personal Injury and damage claims. This is an exciting opportunity to join Manchester Legal Services, one of the largest Local Authority in-house teams.

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Have experience of Claims handling and good knowledge of the Civil Procedure Rules
• Are a Chartered Legal Executive or hold an equivalent legal qualification
• Detailed working knowledge of, and ability to effectively apply, the practice and procedures involved in conducting complex civil litigation matters.

Desirable requirements that would be useful in this role:

• The candidate will use key legal skills, including communication , drafting, research and negotiation skills.
• An ability to meet deadlines is important. You will review documents and provide legal advice on the merits of particular cases

Please see the attached role profile for a full list of requirements.

Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city that leads change and improves lives. Whether you're supporting communities or improving public services, you'll help create opportunities and shape a better future for everyone.

Benefits we offer

• Up to 26 days’ annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years’service
• Buy up to two extra weeks’ leave
• Up to 3 days’ volunteering leave
• A 35-hour work week for full-time roles
• We review pay each year and recognise three trade unions
• TheUK's largest local government pension scheme
• Enhanced parental and carers leave
• Employee discounts and perks
• Good Employment Charter member

For more information about working for Manchester Council, please visit Careers - Manchester City Council

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

Manchester City Council values equality and works to provide a fair and inclusive environment for a workforce that is as diverse as the communities it serves. We want to further increase the diversity of our workforce, in particular the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and disabled staff at all levels of the Council. This advert is open to all applicants, and we would particularly welcome applications from candidates identifying with one or both of those characteristics.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term condition
• Have you completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programmes?

When You Join Us

We're a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [e-mail].

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we'll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

GM Elevate Programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate ( Leadership Development) Programme within the last two years, please indicate this within the 'Personal Statement' section or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Accessible Formats

Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.