At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide high-quality legal services and advice to the Council on various local government matters.
- Company: Join a local authority committed to excellence in legal services.
- Benefits: Competitive contract, professional development opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for mentoring junior legal professionals.
- Why this job: Shape local governance while developing your legal expertise in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with significant post-qualification experience.
The predicted salary is between 39600 - 48400 £ per year.
- Contract | Civic Recruitment Limited | United Kingdom
- Job Information
- Legal / Security / Law
- City Swindon
- Province Wiltshire
- Postal Code SN1
Job Description
- 3 Month Contract With A Local Authority
- Job Purpose
To provide a comprehensive, high-quality legal service to the Council, delivering specialist legal advice, representation, advocacy and support across a range of local government matters.
The postholder will manage a varied caseload, assess legal and commercial risk, support decision-making, and provide practical and legally sound solutions that protect the Council's interests and ensure compliance with statutory obligations.
The role requires building effective relationships with Members, senior officers, external partners and stakeholders while contributing to the continuous improvement of Legal Services and maintaining the highest professional standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a personal caseload of routine, complex and sensitive legal matters with minimal supervision.
- Provide accurate, timely and practical legal advice to Members, senior officers, departments and partner organisations.
- Conduct legal research, analyse legislation, case law and policy developments, and provide clear recommendations.
- Act as advocate for the Council in Courts, Tribunals, Inquiries, Hearings and related legal proceedings.
- Draft, negotiate and complete a wide range of legal documents, contracts, agreements, pleadings and reports.
- Assess legal and commercial risks associated with Council decisions, projects and transactions.
- Advise client departments on governance, decision-making processes and statutory compliance.
- Support and attend Cabinet, Committee, Sub-Committee and Working Group meetings, providing legal advice as required.
- Maintain accurate records using electronic case management systems and ensure compliance with departmental procedures.
- Keep up to date with legislative developments and emerging case law and share knowledge across the legal team.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement and modernisation of Legal Services.
- Support, supervise and mentor Trainee Solicitors, Legal Assistants and Legal Support Officers.
- Participate in team meetings, service development initiatives and corporate projects.
- Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and best practice in all areas of work.
- Protect and promote the reputation of the Council through professional and ethical conduct.
- Work flexibly to meet service requirements, including attendance at evening meetings, urgent hearings and out-of-hours commitments where necessary.
- Areas of Legal Practice
Depending on team allocation and service needs, the postholder may undertake work within one or more of the following areas:
- Property & Regeneration
- Commercial property transactions
- Acquisitions and disposals
- Development agreements
- Land assembly
- Easements and wayleaves
- Overage agreements
- Joint venture arrangements
- Right to Buy transactions
- Leases, licences and landlord and tenant matters
- Conditional contracts
- State subsidy matters
- Planning
- Planning applications and development management
- Planning enforcement
- S106 Agreements
- Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
- Public Inquiries and Appeals
- Listed Buildings and Tree Preservation Orders
- Contracts & Procurement
- Public procurement law
- Contract drafting and negotiation
- Framework agreements
- Funding agreements
- Subsidy control
- Governance and compliance
- Multi-agency projects
- Litigation
- Civil and criminal litigation
- Anti-social behaviour
- Debt recovery
- Landlord and tenant disputes
- Employment-related matters
- Judicial Review proceedings
- Licensing matters
- Adults & Children's Services
- Adoption and Children Act 2002
- Care Proceedings
- Public and Private Law proceedings
- Court of Protection
- Care Act 2014
- Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Mental Health Act 1983
- Education tribunal matters
- Deprivation of Liberty matters
Requirements
- Qualified Solicitor or Barrister.
- Admitted to practise by the relevant regulatory body.
- Significant post-qualification legal experience.
- Strong knowledge of Local Government law and governance.
- Experience managing a varied legal caseload independently.
- Experience providing legal advice to senior stakeholders and elected members.
- Advocacy experience or the ability to undertake advocacy work confidently.
- Excellent legal drafting, negotiation and analytical skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet competing deadlines.
- Knowledge of Council decision-making and governance processes.
- Ability to assess legal risk and provide practical, solution-focused advice.
- Experience using case management systems and electronic records.
- Commitment to continuous professional development.
Experience in one or more of
- Property and Regeneration Law
- Planning Law
- Procurement Law
- Litigation
- Adult Social Care Law
- Education Law
- Experience attending and advising Committees.
- Knowledge of Judicial Review proceedings.
- Experience of Public Inquiries and Tribunal work.
- Knowledge of local government political processes.
- Experience mentoring junior legal professionals.
- Understanding of commercial and community impacts of local authority legal work.
- Experience delivering training and legal updates.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Solicitor in Swindon employer: Civic Recruitment Limited
Civic Recruitment Limited is an exceptional employer that prioritises meaningful impact in the community, particularly for children and families. With a strong commitment to professional development and a collaborative work culture, employees are empowered to drive positive change while enjoying the benefits of flexible working arrangements and a supportive team environment in Ipswich. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead significant projects that align with national reforms, making a real difference in the lives of those served.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Solicitor in Swindon
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like Civic Recruitment Limited.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that Civic Recruitment Limited does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like Civic Recruitment Limited.
We think you need these skills to ace Solicitor in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with Civic Recruitment Limited and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at Civic Recruitment Limited
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Solicitor role at Civic Recruitment Limited. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at Civic Recruitment Limited.
