Are you a skilled and motivated lawyer looking for an exciting opportunity to work in a diverse and challenging legal environment? West Berkshire Council is seeking a lawyer to join our Regulation and Litigation team, reporting to the Principal Lawyer - Regulation & Litigation.
The Role
Responsibilities
As part of our dynamic legal team, you will provide high-quality legal advice and support on regulatory and litigation matters. Your key responsibilities will include:
* Handling a varied caseload of regulatory and litigation work, including but not limited to, trading standards, environmental health, licensing, and information requests
* Providing expert legal advice to council services, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulations
* Representing the council at hearings, tribunals, and court proceedings
* Conducting legal research and preparing legal documents, such as contracts, agreements, and court pleadings
* Advising on freedom of information and data protection issues
You will work closely with other professionals within the council, contributing to the successful delivery of services and ensuring the highest standards of legal compliance.
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and attributes:
* Qualified solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive with a valid practising certificate
* Experience in regulatory and litigation law, ideally within a local authority or public sector environment
* Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, including trading standards, licensing, and environmental health
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships
* Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to manage a diverse caseload and prioritise competing demands
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
* Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Benefits
West Berkshire Council offer excellent employment benefits such as:
* Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07.00-21.00
* Hybrid working wherever possible working 40% in the office
* Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities
* Generous Local Government pension scheme
* Family friendly policies
* A range of local discounts
* Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits
* You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 29 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years& service.
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment
This post is a Sensitive Post for the purpose of the Local Government Housing Act 1989 and the post-holder is therefore restricted from engaging in any prescribed political activities. In summary, this means that you are prohibited from holding political office and from involvement in any political activity within or outside the workplace. Full details of the restrictions can be found in the Council&s Policy and Guidance on Politically Restricted Posts.
If you would like to learn more about this role, please contact Beccy Batten on at email beccy.batten1@westberks.gov.uk .
Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career.
Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here: Working with Us
Equal Opportunities
The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment, and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
How To Apply
Please now complete a short online application form. You will then be able to upload your CV.
This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.
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