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- Tasks: Handle commercial property law matters and provide legal advice.
- Company: Leeds City Council is a progressive authority focused on community and economic growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and generous pension contributions.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant team making a real impact in the community while developing your legal skills.
- Qualifications: CILEX member or equivalent legal qualification with 12 months of relevant experience.
- Other info: Diversity is valued; applications from all backgrounds are encouraged.
The predicted salary is between 30100 - 31750 £ per year.
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Job title: Senior Legal Officer
Salary: SO2 *GBP*36,124 – *GBP*37,938
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Civic Hall
Leeds City Council is a progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses to create a vibrant and economically thriving city.
We are looking for an enthusiastic lawyer who is keen to learn new skills and develop expertise in new areas of law to join our Property & Development Section.
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 Senior Legal Officer, you will bring to the role:
- Sound research and drafting skills, and the ability to give clear advice on legal issues
- good interpersonal skills,
- ability to prioritise your own workload
- be able to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic and committed.
- ability to grasp and assimilate new information quickly
About The Role
The successful candidate will deal principally with commercial property disposals, acquisitions, adverse possession claims, easements and deferred payment agreements, title investigations and dealing with straightforward leasehold transactions matters such as sales and acquisitions of land and landlord and tenant work, but will also have opportunities to deal with planning and highways matters
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
Upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Sarah Blenkin, Section Head Property and Development Section. Call 0113 37 89057 or email .
Interviews are expected to be held week beginning 4 August
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 *GBP*38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job purpose : To carry out legal and administrative work and provide an effective, high quality, professional service within Legal Services and the City Council generally.
The post will be based within the Property & Development Section but the post holder may be required to work flexibly across other sections within Legal Services.
Responsibilities
- To undertake a personal workload of more straightforward property law matters, including, by way of example, but not limited to, sales, acquisitions, landlord & tenant, title investigations, CPOs and grant agreements.
- To give written and oral advice as appropriate.
- To assist the Principal Legal Officers, Team Leaders and Section Head with all legal work carried out by the section.
- To draft and negotiate legal documents.
- To progress and complete property transactions and deal with post completion tasks/ prepare cases for hearing in Courts and Tribunals, including drafting orders, case summaries, correspondence, taking statements, collating documents; to arrange for the attendance of witnesses at Court, and to prepare instructions for Counsel.
- To attend at Court with Counsel if required (where relevant for the role).
- To represent the Council, where appropriate, in Courts and Tribunals.(where relevant for the role)
- To undertake legal research.
- To inform instructing services of all outcomes, post hearing; and prepare all necessary updates.
- To maintain and operate computerised systems.
- To deal with enquiries/correspondence from instructing services, external solicitors, members of the public, Council Departments and other agencies.
- To provide administrative support as required.
- To prepare and deliver training.
- To perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the following:
the Department\’s Standards, Objectives, Targets and Timescales
the Department\’s Quality Procedures
- The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualifications
- Member of CILEX (level 6), Graduate Diploma in Law (CPE) or a Degree in English Law
- or
- A non-legal degree level qualification or equivalent AND the applicant can demonstrate s/he has experience of working in a legal environment and dealing with legal work, 12 months experience in the past 5 years.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- To prioritise and organise own workload.
- To work within time constraints and meet strict deadlines.
- To establish effective relationships with people at different levels inside and outside the Council, ie external Solicitors, members of the public, and other Council Departments.
- To grasp and assimilate new information quickly.
- To work with minimum supervision within a supportive environment.
- To draft legal documentation, agreements and advice.
- To prepare cases for Courts, Public Inquiries and Tribunals, including drafting and preparing clear, concise and accurate documents, letters, memoranda and Court documents. (where relevant to the role)
- Ability to act as an advocate for the Council in appropriate cases at Court and Tribunals.(where relevant to the role)
- To express concepts and ideas clearly.
- To communicate effectively as a member of a team.
- Organising and prioritising own workload with minimum direction.
- Dealing with enquiries and/or correspondence from a wide range of people.
- Experience of using IT systems such as Windows, Word, Excel and Databases.
- Experience of legal research.
- Experience of assisting in the preparation of cases for Court or Tribunals.
- Experience of working as a member of a team.
Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
- Experience of the preparation of legal agreements e.g. leases, transfers
- Experience of giving legal advice in writing and orally.
- Experience of advocacy.
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Senior Legal Officer employer: Leeds City Council
Contact Detail:
Leeds City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Leeds City Council's values and behaviours. Understanding their commitment to community engagement and inclusivity will help you align your responses during interviews and discussions, showcasing that you're a good cultural fit.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Leeds City Council, especially those in the legal department. They can provide valuable insights into the work environment and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when applying.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on recent developments in property law and local government regulations. Being knowledgeable about current issues will not only prepare you for potential interview questions but also demonstrate your proactive approach to professional development.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experience that highlight your skills in drafting legal documents and managing property transactions. Real-life scenarios will illustrate your capabilities and make a strong impression during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Legal Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific duties mentioned in the job description.
Craft a Strong Personal Statement: Your personal statement should be concise and focused. Use it to showcase your legal expertise, particularly in property law, and demonstrate your ability to handle the tasks outlined in the job description. Remember to keep it under 500 words as specified.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and personal statement, emphasise any previous experience you have in legal environments, especially related to property law, drafting legal documents, and court preparations. Use specific examples to illustrate your capabilities.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and personal statement for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in a legal role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leeds City Council
✨Research Leeds City Council
Before your interview, take some time to understand the values and mission of Leeds City Council. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and initiatives, especially in the Property & Development Section. This will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Legal Scenarios
Given the nature of the Senior Legal Officer role, be ready to discuss specific legal scenarios related to commercial property law. Brush up on topics like leasehold transactions, title investigations, and adverse possession claims. Prepare examples from your past experience that showcase your problem-solving skills in these areas.
✨Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills
As this role requires good interpersonal skills, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others or resolved conflicts. Be prepared to discuss how you build relationships with clients, colleagues, and external stakeholders, as this will be crucial in your role at the council.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
Leeds City Council values flexibility and adaptability. Be ready to share instances where you've had to adjust to changing circumstances or take on new responsibilities. Highlight your willingness to learn and grow within the role, as well as your commitment to continuous improvement.
