Senior Solicitor (Governance)

This position has been identified as a Politically Restricted post under The Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (as amended) and the Local Government (Politically Restricted Posts) (No.2) Regulations 1990 imposing political restrictions on the holders of certain posts.

Salary: £52,413 - £57,839 per annum

Type of vacancy: Permanent

Work pattern: Full Time

Hours per week: 37

Work Base: County Hall, NG2 7QP

Working Arrangements: Hybrid

Closing Date: 31 August 2026 23:55

Join our Legal Services team as a Senior Solicitor (Governance) and support effective decision-making across Nottinghamshire County Council. We are looking for an experienced governance lawyer to join our Legal Services team. In this role, you will work closely with the Monitoring Officer, Democratic Services, senior officers, and elected members. You will provide high-quality legal advice on governance, constitutional, and public law matters, ensuring that the Council's governance arrangements and decision-making processes are lawful, robust, and effective.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the team during a time of evolution in local government. You will handle a varied governance caseload and contribute to governance and constitutional matters arising from sector changes, including Local Government Reorganisation.

• Provide legal advice on constitutional matters, standards, and ethical governance.
• Support committees and formal decision-making bodies.
• Manage member code of conduct complaints and police and crime panel complaints.
• Oversee the delivery of legal advice and support to schools and information governance.
• Manage a small team of legal professionals, supervising and supporting colleagues.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the service.

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with substantial experience in local government or public sector legal practice.
• Proven track record in advising on governance, constitutional, and public law matters.
• Supporting Monitoring Officers, senior officers, and elected members.
• Managing complex and politically sensitive legal issues.
• Building effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Supervising, mentoring, or supporting colleagues.

• Demonstrates a commitment to good governance and ethical practices.
• Communicates clearly and effectively with diverse audiences.
• Works collaboratively within a team and across departments.
• Adapts to changing circumstances and remains resilient under pressure.
• Shows initiative and takes responsibility for delivering results.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a respected and supportive legal team. You will work on matters central to the Council's operations, closely collaborating with senior decision-makers. Your contributions will play a vital role in supporting the Council to deliver effective and lawful decision-making.

Nottinghamshire County Council strives to ensure that it goes beyond the requirements of the Equalities Act and prides itself on being accredited as a Disability Confident Leader Organisation. Under the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to ensure applicants with disabilities are offered an interview if they meet the minimum criteria for a job. Please let us know if this is something you would like to be considered for.

A job share scheme is available for all full-time posts: both permanent and temporary, unless otherwise stated. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks. Nottinghamshire County Council strongly encourages applications from all candidates from different walks of life, irrespective of gender, marital status, disability, race, religion, belief, pregnancy and maternity status, age or sexual orientation.