3 month contract role with a Local Authority Job Summary: • The Assistant Lawyer / Lawyer role within the Law and Governance Directorate of Wirral MBC provides legal advice and services to the Council, its Members, officers, and external bodies. • The post-holder supports governance, safeguarding, education, litigation, property, planning, and commercial matters, ensuring that the Council’s policies and decisions are legally sound and aligned with organisational objectives. Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample): • Provide legal advice across Safeguarding, Education, Litigation, Governance, Property, Planning, and Commercial matters. • Draft and review contracts, legal agreements, committee reports, and policy documents. • Represent the Council in Courts, Tribunals, statutory appeals, inquiries, and external meetings. • Participate in project teams to ensure delivery of timely, high-quality legal services. • Mentor junior colleagues and provide training as required. • Maintain compliance with Legal Services’ policies, quality standards, and case management systems. • Work flexibly across office and remote environments; attend meetings as required. Skills/Experience: • Practising barrister, solicitor, or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. • Legal Knowledge: Sound understanding of local government law, governance, corporate decision-making, and regulatory frameworks. • Contract drafting, negotiation, and litigation. • Advocacy and representation in courts, tribunals, and public inquiries. • Research, analytical, and problem-solving abilities. • Written and verbal communication skills for both specialist and non-specialist audiences. • IT literacy and experience with legal case management systems. • Organisational, time management, and workload prioritisation skills. • Tact, diplomacy, empathy, and political awareness. • Resilience under pressure and ability to handle sensitive or challenging situations. • Teamwork and collaborative working. • Flexibility and adaptability to varying workloads and hybrid working arrangements. Additional Information: • Bi-Weekly Payments. • Hybrid work pattern: 2 days remote, 3 days in office. • May require evening/weekend work and travel across the borough.