Senior Solicitor (Governance)

Civic Recruitment Limited; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 77,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking a Senior Solicitor (Governance) to provide expert governance and constitutional law advice for a three-month contract with a local authority in Nottingham. You will support the Monitoring Officer and senior colleagues, ensuring lawful decision-making and robust governance across council committees and schools.

The role requires substantial local government experience, excellent drafting and stakeholder management skills, and the ability to handle a varied

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with governance/constitutional law expertise.
• Experience in local government governance and committee procedures.
• Strong drafting, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management to provide practical advice.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist legal advice to Monitoring Officer and officers on governance matters.
• Advise Full Council, committees and elected Members to ensure lawful decision-making.
• Support handling and investigation of Member Code of Conduct complaints.
• Oversee legal advice to maintained schools as needed.
• Deliver governance and constitutional guidance to teams and Democratic Services.
• Interpret legislation, case law and local government regulations for practical solutions.
• Prepare and review governance-related reports and documents for senior stakeholders.
• Build relationships with Members and senior officers for high-quality legal services.
• Ensure advice reflects current legislation and governance framework.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of governance processes and legal services.

Skills

Governance law

Constitutional law

Governance advice

Stakeholder management

Legal drafting

Education

Qualified Solicitor

Barrister

Chartered Legal Executive

Job description

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation.  That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.
Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

3 Month Contract With A local Authority

Job Purpose

The Senior Solicitor (Governance) will provide expert legal advice and guidance on governance, constitutional, and local government law matters. Supporting the Monitoring Officer, Deputy Monitoring Officer, and senior colleagues, the role will ensure lawful decision-making, promote good governance, and provide specialist legal support to Council committees, Democratic Services, and maintained schools.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide specialist legal advice to the Monitoring Officer, Deputy Monitoring Officer, and Council officers on governance and constitutional matters.
• Advise Full Council, committees, and elected Members to ensure lawful decision-making and compliance with statutory requirements.
• Support the handling and investigation of Member Code of Conduct complaints and provide legal advice relating to the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Panel.
• Provide management oversight of legal advice delivered to maintained schools and support the provision of ad hoc education law advice.
• Deliver governance and constitutional advice to the Corporate and Environmental Law team and Democratic Services.
• Interpret and apply relevant legislation, case law, and local government regulations to provide practical legal solutions.
• Prepare and review legal documentation, reports, and governance-related advice for senior stakeholders.
• Build effective working relationships with Members, senior officers, and external partners to support the delivery of high-quality legal services.
• Ensure legal advice reflects current legislation, best practice, and the Council's governance framework.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of legal services and governance processes.

Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with a current practising certificate (or equivalent eligibility to practise).
• Significant experience providing governance and constitutional law advice within a local government environment.
• Strong knowledge of local government law, committee procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Experience advising senior officers, elected Members, committees, and Full Council.
• Experience handling Member Code of Conduct matters and governance-related legal issues.
• Experience overseeing legal advice provided to maintained schools is desirable.
• Excellent legal drafting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to provide clear, practical legal advice.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload and work effectively under pressure.

Additional Information

• Location: Nottinghamshire - Hybrid working (Council offices as required).