Litigation Lawyer in Essex

We are seeking a skilled and motivated legal professional to join our Legal Services team. As a valued member of the Legal Services team, you will play an important role in supporting the Council’s statutory, regulatory and operational functions.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing informed, accurate legal advice to the Council, its Committees, Working Groups, Management Team and Officers.
• Managing and progressing a varied civil and criminal caseload, acting as the Council’s advocate in courts, tribunals and inquiries where required.
• Undertaking a broad range of civil matters, including debt recovery, housing possession and disrepair, and judicial review.
• Delivering high-quality regulatory legal work across licensing, food safety, health and safety, animal welfare, environmental health, building control and planning enforcement.
• Managing statutory nuisance cases, including the preparation and service of statutory notices.
• Providing specialist legal support on licensing matters and attending Licensing Committee as the Council’s legal advisor.
• Drafting and preparing contracts, agreements, orders and other legal documentation to support Council operations.
• Preparing and contributing to reports for Committees and Working Groups.
• Maintaining an up‑to‑date knowledge of relevant legislation, case law and best practice to ensure legal compliance and informed decision‑making.
• Supporting the development, mentoring and training of colleagues as appropriate.
• Undertaking additional legal duties as required by the Head of Legal, including work in other areas to meet the evolving needs of the service.

You will bring knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Civil and criminal litigation, including prosecutions, regulatory matters, housing possession and disrepair.
• Planning appeals and planning enforcement.
• Licensing regimes.
• Drafting legal documentation, including agreements, orders and pleadings.

Uttlesford District Council is a family friendly Council. We encourage and support our employees to have a healthy work life balance as well as offering a range of benefits including generous annual leave, plus bank holidays (pro-rata), leisure centre discounts, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and an online platform offering discounts from online retailers.

For an informal discussion please contact Carolyn Forster, Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer 01799 510436. To find out more and apply please visit https://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/jobs-careers. Closing date for completed applications is Monday 6 April 2026. It is intended that interviews will be held on 16 April 2026. CVs will not be accepted.

Uttlesford District Council is an inclusive employer, and we welcome applications from all. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a Fostering Friendly Employer and proud to support our Care Leavers and the Armed Forces Covenant. Anyone disclosing a disability or is a Care leaver or is a member of the Armed Forces community (Veteran/Service leaver, Reserve Forces, or their Spouses/Partners or Cadet Force Adult Volunteer) whose application meets the essential criteria for the post will be guaranteed an interview.