Senior Legal Adviser

Senior Legal Adviser

Winchester Full-Time 48948 - 54423 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Provide legal advice and represent clients in civil and criminal litigation.
  • Company: Join Hampshire County Council, a top-performing local authority in the UK.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours, and a supportive team environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your legal skills in a collaborative setting.
  • Qualifications: Solicitor, Barrister, or FCILEx with experience in civil or criminal litigation required.
  • Other info: Comprehensive induction and training provided; commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

The predicted salary is between 48948 - 54423 £ per year.

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Job Reference: HCC621994
Salary Range:
£48,948 – £54,423 per annum, plus Market Supplement of £4,500 per annum (dependent on experience)
Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)
Hoursper week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 1 September 2025
Interview Date: w/c 15 September 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a practising Solicitor, Barrister, or FCILEx to join our Legal Services at Hampshire County Council.

Are you looking for a challenging and diverse role working as part of a friendly and supportive team, with an opportunity to make a real difference?

Here at Hampshire Legal Services, we pride ourselves on the breadth and depth of difference we can make. We enable the County Council to make positive changes and deliver more for residents across the County and beyond. We also support external partners in the provision of commercial and cost-effective legal services.

The Role:

Joining our friendly and supportive Lexcel accredited in-house legal team, you will support a wide variety of clients on a range of matters, including both civil litigation and criminal litigation.

We are looking for candidates who have the ability to work across different work types to provide greater agility in adapting to changing demands.

What you’ll do:

  • Provide effective legal advice to the Council or external public sector clients on a range of contentious business. To prepare cases, including researching law as required, liaising with the Council or other clients and comprehensively briefing counsel where necessary in order to ensure that the Council or other clients are represented in a consistently effective and professional manner.
  • Effectively represent the Council and external public sector clients at courts & tribunals, undertaking advocacy as required to a high professional standard in order to achieve client and organisational aims and objectives.
  • Manage cases in accordance with the SRA Code of Conduct, Office Procedures Manual, Client Care Policy and accreditations such as Lexcel.
  • Attend and contribute to team meetings, ensuring that relevant information is shared effectively. To share information and support colleagues on a daily basis in order to ensure the provision of an efficient service.
  • Effectively facilitate training workshops to directorates in order to share expertise and contribute to the provision of a professional service.
  • Ensure that all relevant initiatives and legislation are considered in the advice and action recommended to clients, and in the preparation of cases.

What we’re looking for:

  • Good communication and presentation skills.
  • Good understanding of the concept of client care with evidence of having applied this in practice.
  • Good self-organisation, time and case management skills.
  • Ability to work unsupervised.
  • Ability to work as part of a team and contribute towards overall practice development.
  • Good knowledge and recent experience of providing legal advice on either civil litigation and/or criminal litigation, the latter ideally as a prosecutor.
  • You may be required to visit other locations within Hampshire, and therefore need to have the ability to travel, as necessary.
  • Comprehensive induction programme with all necessary training.
  • Our includes details of the holiday entitlement, pension scheme, flexi-time scheme, family friendly policies and interest free travel loans and discounts. We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of, where you are empowered to be your best and a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.

If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch!

Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment.

Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your skills and offers a great work life balance.

Additional Information:

Senior Legal Adviser

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.

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Senior Legal Adviser employer: ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA

Hampshire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where you can truly make a difference in the community. With a strong focus on employee growth, flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package, including family-friendly policies and professional development opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us at our modern office in Winchester, where teamwork and inclusivity are at the heart of our culture, ensuring a rewarding career in public service.
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Contact Detail:

ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Adviser

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific legal frameworks and recent case law relevant to civil and criminal litigation in the public sector. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in your field.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of Hampshire County Council, especially those in the Legal Services team. They can provide valuable insights into the team culture and expectations, which can be beneficial for tailoring your approach during the interview.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in client care and how you've successfully managed cases in the past. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your ability to work independently and as part of a team, as these are key qualities they are looking for.

✨Tip Number 4

Research Hampshire County Council's recent initiatives and legal challenges. Being knowledgeable about their current projects will allow you to engage in meaningful discussions during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Adviser

Legal Research
Advocacy Skills
Client Care
Civil Litigation Knowledge
Criminal Litigation Knowledge
Time Management
Case Management
Communication Skills
Presentation Skills
Team Collaboration
Self-Organisation
Understanding of SRA Code of Conduct
Ability to Work Independently
Training Facilitation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in civil and criminal litigation. Emphasise your ability to provide legal advice and represent clients effectively, as these are key aspects of the role.

Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the position and the impact you hope to make at Hampshire County Council. Mention specific examples of your previous work that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Showcase Communication Skills: Since good communication is essential for this role, include examples of how you've successfully communicated complex legal concepts to clients or colleagues in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to fulfil one of the key requirements.

Highlight Teamwork Experience: Discuss your experience working in teams, especially in legal settings. Provide examples of how you've contributed to team success and supported colleagues, as this aligns with the collaborative environment at Hampshire County Council.

How to prepare for a job interview at ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA

✨Understand the Role

Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Senior Legal Adviser. Familiarise yourself with civil and criminal litigation processes, as well as the specific legal frameworks relevant to Hampshire County Council.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

During the interview, demonstrate your strong communication and presentation skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've effectively communicated legal advice in the past and how you can apply this in a team setting.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and client care approach. Think of examples from your previous experience where you successfully managed cases or provided legal advice under pressure.

✨Highlight Teamwork and Flexibility

Emphasise your ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Share examples of how you've contributed to team development and adapted to changing demands in your previous roles.

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