Solicitor Courts and Licensing - DGA12900

A vacancy has arisen for a qualified solicitor in our in-house Courts and Licensing Team. The team delivers a diverse and complex range of services and general public sector legal support to the Council organisation. We aim to deliver an outcome/client focussed legal service ensuring that we meet our client services’ needs and Council priorities. Working as an in‑house solicitor offers the opportunity to undertake high‑quality, varied legal work that makes a tangible difference to local communities.

The role provides exposure to a broad and intellectually challenging caseload, close collaboration with elected members and senior officers, and the ability to influence decision‑making at an early stage. In‑house practice also offers a supportive and collegiate environment, a strong commitment to work‑life balance, and opportunities for professional development within a stable public‑service setting. Dumfries and Galloway Council has modernised its ways of working, through our Smarter Working Policy. We offer fixed, flexible, mobile and home working styles. Legal Services operates a hybrid working model, with a mixture of office and home working.

We would be pleased to hear from anyone with enthusiasm and experience in Local Government, other statutory advisory areas, or with a strong interest in developing such expertise within Local Government.

The successful post holder must:

• Hold a degree in Scots Law and Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
• Be admitted as a solicitor by the Law Society of Scotland and hold a current unrestricted Practising Certificate.

Requirements

• Have a good working knowledge of Scots Law.
• The post holder will require to hold / undergo PVG registration.
• Have good knowledge of current and impending legislation and practice areas, and an understanding of the impacts on the public sector.
• Have knowledge and experience of delivering legal advice in the Local Government/Public Sector.
• Good experience of providing support and advice with minimal supervision in one or more of the following areas of Law: Court and Tribunal, Social Work, Education, Licensing, Employment, Environmental Health / Trading Standards, Governance and/or other public sector matters.
• Expertise or a willingness to develop expertise in Social Work law is highly desirable for this position.
• General litigation and representation experience, providing support and advice with minimal supervision.
• Experience of supporting clients/employers to develop policies/strategies.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage varied and challenged workload.
• Effective time-management skills and prioritisation.
• Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft packages – Outlook, Word, case/file management systems etc.
• Drafting and negotiation skills.
• Legal Research skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a Team.
• Self-confident and self-motivated.
• Fostering client relationships and good resolutions.
• Able to form productive working relations with various Council officials, elected members, and external solicitors.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs and demands of the service.
• Appreciation, acceptance of and a commitment to the importance of confidentiality.
• Ability to work from home.
• Ability to attend Court/Council offices at short notice.
• Some knowledge/experience of the following is desirable: Experience of operating within a political regime, understanding of local and national strategies and impacts on local government services, experience of supporting committees, sub-committees and other Council led bodies/partnerships.

Disclosure

This post is considered as Regulated Work with Vulnerable Children and Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. From 28 February 2011, preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG scheme update check prior to formal offer of employment being made by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Applicants who have been resident outside the UK within the last 5 years, if offered a position, in addition to a Disclosure Scotland Check, will be required to provide a completed police record check from the police authority in the country or countries in which they were resident.

With an exciting benefits package, working for Dumfries and Galloway Council supports you to invest in your own health and wellbeing. Employees have access to our bespoke Vivup platform with over 800 discounts on everyday essentials from top UK retailers, restaurants, utility providers and more. Employees also get access to membership of The Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland), exclusive discounts from local businesses, a Cycle-to-Work scheme, financial support from My Money Matters, and guidance from our trained Wellbeing Champions.

Here at Dumfries and Galloway Council we are committed to equality, diversity and equal opportunity with our values, which include treating everyone with dignity, fairness and respect, driving us to tackle inequality. We are looking for people that can bring different perspectives and experiences and especially welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our organisation.

For further information please contact Jacqueline Holland, Governance and Assurance Manager, Tel: 07920 071064, Email: Jacqueline.Holland@dumgal.gov.uk.