3 Month Contract With A local Authority
Job Purpose
To provide high-quality legal advice and representation across a broad range of general civil litigation matters on behalf of the Council. The role involves managing a varied and often complex caseload, supporting Council departments with legal advice, and ensuring the effective conduct of litigation in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a varied caseload of general litigation matters from inception through to resolution.
- Advise Council departments and stakeholders on a broad range of civil litigation issues.
- Conduct litigation relating to landlord and tenant disputes (commercial and residential), debt recovery, contract disputes, injunctions, enforcement matters, and disputes arising under the Electronic Communications Code.
- Prepare legal documents, pleadings, witness statements, court applications, and settlement agreements.
- Represent the Council in courts, tribunals, and other hearings, including undertaking advocacy where appropriate.
- Provide clear, practical, and commercially focused legal advice to clients and stakeholders.
- Ensure effective file management and compliance with court deadlines, procedural requirements, and service standards.
- Monitor developments in legislation, case law, and policy and apply them effectively to client matters.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal departments, external legal professionals, courts, and other stakeholders.
- Contribute to the effective delivery of legal services and support the Council's wider objectives.
Requirements
Essential
- Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive with a current practising certificate (where applicable).
- Significant post-qualification experience in general civil litigation.
- Strong knowledge of landlord and tenant law, debt recovery, contract disputes, injunctions, enforcement proceedings, and general litigation practice.
- Excellent knowledge of court and tribunal procedures and relevant Civil Procedure Rules.
- Experience managing a complex and varied caseload independently.
- Strong advocacy, negotiation, drafting, and legal research skills.
- Experience advising public sector or local authority clients on litigation matters.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to non-legal audiences.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
Desirable
- Experience undertaking advocacy in courts and tribunals.
- Experience dealing with disputes arising under the Electronic Communications Code.
- Knowledge of local government law and its application to litigation matters.
- Experience working within a local authority legal team.
Additional Information
- Location: Southwark Council
- Hours: 36 per Week
- Pay Frequency: Bi-weekly
- 3 Days In Office - 2 Days WFH
