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- Tasks: Provide legal advice and representation on various litigation matters for the Council.
- Company: Join a supportive legal team at Mid-Sussex District Council in a beautiful rural setting.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team ensuring legal governance and supporting community decisions.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with experience in litigation and strong advisory skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a collaborative and impactful environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Description
Allen Lane are supporting Mid Sussex District Council on their recruitment for a permanent Principal Litigation Solicitor to join their team.
The legal service supports the Monitoring Officer function and the Council as a whole, ensuring decisions made by all parts of the Council are legally robust and bearing statutory responsibility for the legal governance of the Council. This includes providing legal advice across all of the Council’s functions and, where advice cannot be sourced in-house, working with external solicitors and/or specialist counsel. We provide support for the delivery of the Council’s statutory and non-statutory functions including taking legal action where required.
The contentious Senior Solicitor will:
- Provide legal advice, representation, and assistance across the Council to Members and staff colleagues on all necessary aspects of licensing, environmental health, housing, debt recovery, judicial review, and general litigation matters including at court, committees and public meetings where required.
- Understand the role of Legal Services and contribute to the delivery of the Legal team’s Service Plan and the Council’s Corporate Plan.
- Contribute to, and assist in, the effective operational management of the Legal Services team to deliver a high quality and cost-effective legal service.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
- Be a trusted adviser to Members and colleagues in specialist knowledge areas, and at all levels of the organisation
- Take day to day management responsibility for supporting, developing, coaching and mentoring staff
- Manage an ongoing legal caseload with minimal supervision
- Represent or support the Council at legal proceedings and Inquiries (either with or without Counsel)
- Undertake continuing professional development as required and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of all relevant legislation and case law
- Exhibit and promote the highest professional work standards throughout the team
- Contribute to required policy development across the Council
- Attend statutory and Committee meetings as required as legal adviser and on behalf of the Monitoring Officer
Required:
- Fully qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive / Relevant professional qualification (Essential)
- Membership of other relevant professional bodies (Desirable)
- Working knowledge of managing complex matters in the various areas of specialism in a local government context, in particular environmental health, licensing, housing, judicial review, and both civil and criminal Litigation (Essential)
- Proven knowledge of the local government statutory framework and relevant current and emerging legislation, case law, guidance and best practice (Desirable)
- Scrutiny and implementation of new Legislation (Essential)
Principal Litigation Solicitor employer: Allen Lane
Contact Detail:
Allen Lane Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Litigation Solicitor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who might have insights into the Mid-Sussex District Council. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of local governance and the specific legal challenges faced by councils. Show us you’re not just a great solicitor but also someone who understands the unique context of the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Mid-Sussex District Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Litigation Solicitor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Principal Litigation Solicitor. We want to see how you can contribute to our legal team and support the Council's functions.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t hold back on showcasing your skills in licensing, environmental health, and general litigation. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what you bring to the table!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Allen Lane
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key areas of law relevant to the role, such as licensing, environmental health, and housing. Be prepared to discuss recent cases or legislation that could impact the Council's operations.
✨Understand the Council's Needs
Research Mid-Sussex District Council and its functions thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with their current projects and challenges, so you can demonstrate how your expertise can help them achieve their goals.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
As a Principal Litigation Solicitor, you'll be part of a team. Highlight your experience in collaborative environments and how you've contributed to effective operational management in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-life legal scenarios. Think about past experiences where you provided legal advice or representation, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
