Solicitor (Litigation) in Dundonald

The post holder will be required to carry out professional duties as a qualified solicitor providing legal advice and representation in relation to an assigned case load with particular emphasis on civil litigation matters but also dealing with employment law, public law matters and other matters for the Education Authority and other public bodies.

The Education Authority (“EA”) was established under the Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 and became operational on 1 April 2015. It is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department of Education and the Department for the Economy. EA is responsible for ensuring that high quality nursery, primary and secondary education services are available to meet the needs of children and young people as well as the provision of efficient and effective youth services.

The organisation employs over 40,000 people across Northern Ireland in a wide variety of roles including teachers in controlled schools, school-based support staff and staff in administrative headquarters. The organisation is responsible for a budget of approximately £1.5 billion recurrent, £300 million capital, £100 million annually managed expenditure and for services to over 1000 schools. EA also has responsibility for the funding of the Voluntary Grammar School / Grant-Maintained Integrated sector.

The work EA does impacts the lives of tens of thousands of children, young people and their families every day. The services EA provides are essential in supporting, encouraging and facilitating learning within our communities to develop generations of young people who are equipped to succeed in life and work in the modern world. As a public sector organisation, EA must continue to deliver these vital services in a challenging environment of increasing financial pressure and under intense public scrutiny.

The Education Authority Solicitors seeks to provide high quality and efficient legal services to enable the Education Authority and other clients to operate effectively within law, maximise the value of legal services provided, minimise legal risk and achieve best legal outcomes. The unit was originally set up in 1973 when the five former education and library boards were established. It has currently a complement of 12 solicitors (full time and part time) and 8 administrative staff and is based in Dundonald. EA Solicitors also provides legal advice and representation to LibrariesNI and the majority of Grant Maintained Integrated schools (both primary and secondary).

The appointee will provide legal advice and representation in relation to an assigned litigation case load to EA and other public bodies. The appointee may also deal with employment law, education law and other matters. Working for EA’s in house legal team offers a different perspective and intellectual stimulus. As Litigation Solicitor the appointee will have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to EA as we continue the process of transformation and seeks fundamentally to transform education services for the benefit of future generations of children and young people.

Summary of Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• Carry out professional duties as a qualified Solicitor in connection with an assigned caseload primarily relating to the matters set out below.
• Undertake as directed civil litigation matters (both Plaintiff and Defendant) including carriage of Plaintiff and Defendant claims arising from contract, provision of education, property, procurement and other civil matters.
• Assist and undertake as directed the defence of claims for unfair dismissal, unlawful discrimination and other employment matters before Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunals, including such personal advocacy as may be required.
• Assist and undertake as directed the defence of Judicial Review applications as well as applications to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal for Northern Ireland (‘SENDIST’).
• In undertaking the above matters: all relevant processes including taking witness statements, instructing and assessing expert opinion and other relevant evidence, drafting pleadings and other Court / Tribunal documentation, attending consultations, conduct of interlocutory matters, researching the law, undertaking settlement negotiations within authorised limits and either appearing personally to present evidence and legal arguments to the Court or Tribunal, or when appropriate instructing Counsel to do so.
• Provide accurate and timely legal advice on matters relating to the functions and exercise of the powers and duties of the Education Authority.
• Interpret legislation and the requirements of administrative law to Education Authority officers, and other bodies and to draft associated reports.
• Carry out all the foregoing duties in a proactive manner, complying with all relevant time limits and Rules of Court.
• Assist and/or provide such training on legal matters to Education Authority officers and other bodies as may be required.
• Undertake such continuing legal education and/or professional development courses as may be required.
• Undertake such other duties relevant to EA Solicitors as may be required from time to time.
• Undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the Education Authority.