Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex employment law cases and provide strategic legal advice.
- Company: Join Leeds City Council, a major employer with over 14,000 staff dedicated to community service.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and wellness perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in employment law while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a solicitor or barrister with a practising certificate and a passion for Employment Law.
- Other info: Diversity is valued; applications from all backgrounds are encouraged.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Principal Legal Officer – Employment role at Leeds City Council
1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Join to apply for the Principal Legal Officer – Employment role at Leeds City Council
Location: HYBRID: Civic Hall, Leeds / Working From Home
As a Principal Legal Officer you thrive on playing a significant role in providing employment law advice at a senior and strategic level and leading on the Council most complex employment litigation.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About You
As a Principal Legal Officer you will:
- Be a solicitor or barrister holding a practising certificate or FCILEx with a keen interest in Employment Law.
- Be values-driven, enthusiastic and outcome focussed;
- Come with fresh thinking, energy and compassion for people;
- Demonstrate a commitment to building relationships with Council services, the Courts and partner organisations.
About The Role
As a Principal Legal Officer you will undertake a substantial complex personal caseload of legal professional work in the area of Employment law. You will be expected to deal with complex advice and complex contested hearings in the Employment Tribunal. They would be expected to attend committee/board meetings and members briefings as requested to advise.
What We Offer You
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How To Apply
Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement explaining how you meet the criteria set out in one of the Job Descriptions.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Amy Walker (Team Leader) on 0113 378 9153 or via email at
Interviews will take place week commencing 28th July 2025.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you\’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Legal
-
Industries
Government Administration
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Leeds City Council by 2x
Sign in to set job alerts for “Legal Officer” roles.
West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Leeds, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago
Leeds, England, United Kingdom 3 months ago
Leeds, England, United Kingdom 3 months ago
Shipley, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
Leeds, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Leeds, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Elland, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago
West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago
Huddersfield, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago
Leeds, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Lawyer – Children and Adult Safeguarding
Huddersfield, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Leeds, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Senior Legal Counsel – National & International
Leeds, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Lawyer – Regulatory (Data Protection and Financial Services)
Leeds, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Senior Legal Counsel – International clients (LEEDS BASED ONLY)
Leeds, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Leeds, England, United Kingdom 2 hours ago
Legal Counsel, Central Europe – Western Region
Leeds, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Lawyer – Children and Adult Safeguarding
Huddersfield, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Principal Legal Officer – Adult Social Care
West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Leeds, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Principal Legal Officer - Employment employer: Leeds City Council
Contact Detail:
Leeds City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Legal Officer - Employment
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific employment law issues that Leeds City Council faces. Research recent cases or legal challenges they have dealt with, as this will help you demonstrate your understanding of their needs during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Leeds City Council, especially those in legal roles. They can provide valuable insights into the council's culture and expectations, which can be beneficial when preparing for interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with complex employment litigation in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of cases you've handled, highlighting your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your commitment to building relationships by preparing questions about how the legal team collaborates with other departments within the council. This demonstrates your values-driven approach and interest in teamwork.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Legal Officer - Employment
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Principal Legal Officer at Leeds City Council. Familiarise yourself with employment law and the specific challenges faced by the council.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience in employment law. Emphasise your qualifications, such as your practising certificate or FCILEx, and any previous roles that demonstrate your ability to handle complex legal matters.
Write a Compelling Personal Statement: In your personal statement, clearly explain how your skills and experiences align with the job criteria. Use specific examples to showcase your commitment to building relationships and your strategic thinking in legal matters.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread your documents. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your statements are clear and concise. A polished application reflects your professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leeds City Council
✨Know Your Employment Law
As a Principal Legal Officer, you need to demonstrate a strong understanding of employment law. Brush up on recent cases and legislation that may impact the role, and be prepared to discuss how these could apply in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Leeds City Council values collaboration. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully built relationships with various stakeholders, including council services, courts, and partner organisations. This will highlight your ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
✨Prepare for Complex Scenarios
Expect to discuss complex legal issues and contested hearings during your interview. Prepare by thinking through potential case studies or hypothetical situations that could arise in employment law, and articulate your approach to resolving them.
✨Align with Council Values
Familiarise yourself with Leeds City Council's values and ambitions. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs, particularly your commitment to compassion and fresh thinking in legal practice.
