Trainee Solicitor / Solicitor Apprentice

Thurrock Council; Grays; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK is offering a Trainee Solicitor Apprenticeship. This position includes supporting legal services, conducting casework, and drafting documentation. Candidates should have a law degree or relevant qualifications. The apprenticeship can vary in duration depending on prior experience. Office attendance is required two days per week.

Qualifications

• Must have completed an internship in a legal setting.
• Must have a law degree / GDL or relevant qualification.

Responsibilities

• Support legal team in advising client departments.
• Conduct legal casework under supervision.
• Draft legal documentation.

Skills

Legal Drafting

Litigation

Legal Research

Negotiation

Mediation Experience

Education

Law degree or GDL

Relevant legal qualification

Job description

Job Description

Salary: 33,531 - 38,052 per annum

Grade D

Fixed Term Contract

37 hours per week

This Trainee Solicitor Apprenticeship is available depending on the qualifications held by the successful candidate:

• Short form apprenticeship 18 months appropriate for those who have 6 months work experience in Legal Services (either in-house or in private practice) and hold a law degree / GDL / or other relevant legal qualification such as CILEX L16 or as a Licensed Conveyancer.
• Longer form apprenticeship 35 months appropriate for those who have a non-law degree or who have successfully completed a paralegal apprenticeship or similar qualification or have relevant work experience.

To provide legal support and carry out legal casework within the Legal Services team across the following teams :

• Child Protection, Adult Safeguarding and Education
• Commercial Law (including Property Planning and Contracts)
• Criminal and Civil Litigation
• Major projects and Governance

Key Service Accountabilities

• To support the Head of Legal Services Principal Lawyers and Lawyers in advising and assisting the client departments of Thurrock Council.
• To conduct casework subject to supervision.
• To take instructions from clients and prepare case plans.
• To undertake advocacy on behalf of Thurrock Council in accordance with appropriate rights of audience.
• To draft legal documentation including court applications, witness statements, briefs to counsel and statements of case.
• To liaise with the courts counsel and parties to proceedings via telephone correspondence and in person where relevant.
• To represent Thurrock Council at meetings, conferences with counsel and to attend court with counsel in appropriate circumstances.
• Office attendance is required two days per week. Additional days will be expected for advocacy and relevant experience that benefits placement.
• Through research to maintain and disseminate a constant awareness of good practice and new legislation / case law in the relevant areas of specialism within the Legal and Governance Directorate for the benefit of colleagues and clients.
• To develop and maintain experience and expertise of the law and local government law and practice.
• To undertake the attendance and study required under the solicitor apprenticeship scheme.
• Plan and prioritise allocated work efficiently.
• To develop strong influencing and negotiating skills with the ability to maintain effective credible relationships.
• To work flexibly and collaboratively across the wider Directorate as required.
• Ensure effective operational use of all Directorate resources by regularly reviewing working methods, systems and equipment.
• To act in accordance with and promote the Nolan Principles in the council.
• To be flexible with regards to working hours to ensure Directorate needs and client requirements are met.

Qualifications

• Intern experience

Key Skills

• Legal Drafting
• Litigation
• Algebra
• Legal Counsel
• Mediation ExperienceTribal Law
• Legal Research
• Telemarketing
• Training & Development
• Geometry
• Child Protective Services
• Negotiation