Principal Lawyer (Litigation)
Our client, a vibrant, ambitious and diverse London borough has recently undergone significant transformation and modernisation. They are seeking a Principal Lawyer (Litigation) to support this growth and to lead their Litigation team and act as the Council’s foremost expert in civil and criminal litigation, housing law, regulatory matters, employment, governance and related areas. This is a full-time permanent role. 36 hours per week.
This is a senior leadership role, critical to protecting the Council’s legal, financial and reputational position while ensuring robust, effective and forward‑thinking legal support to Members, senior officers and services across the organisation.
About the role
As Principal Lawyer (Litigation), you will lead a specialist team covering civil litigation, criminal litigation, employment and regulatory law. You will oversee high‑risk, high‑value and complex legal matters, provide authoritative strategic advice, and represent the Council at the highest levels.
You will:
* Serve as the Council’s lead expert across civil and criminal litigation, employment, regulatory, housing, governance and related fields
* Provide strategic legal advice to Members and senior officers on complex and sensitive matters
* Lead and manage the Council’s litigation caseload, including appeals, enforcement actions and major project work
* Provide advocacy before tribunals, public inquiries and courts (Magistrates’, Crown, County and High Courts)
* Lead negotiations, settlements, drafting of legal documentation and consent orders
* Oversee a specialist team of lawyers and legal assistants, providing leadership, supervision, training and development
* Develop and maintain policies, procedures, precedents and protocols to ensure best practice and compliance
* Produce reports for Cabinet, Committees and Scrutiny, and deliver training to Members and officers
* Monitor changes in law, case law and practice and communicate their impact to stakeholders
* Work with external Counsel, external firms, partner agencies and government bodies
* Play a key role in financial management of the service, including income generation and risk mitigation
* Contribute to corporate governance, strategic planning and organisational improvement
This is a fast‑paced and influential role requiring leadership, confidence and deep specialist expertise.
About you
You will be an authoritative, skilled and collaborative legal leader with a strong track record in litigation and public sector practice. Previous management experience is required.
You will have:
* A qualification as Solicitor, Barrister or FILEX, authorised to conduct legal work. Minimum 5+ PQE.
* Extensive experience in civil and/or criminal litigation, housing and regulatory law
* Advocacy experience across courts and tribunals
* Strong knowledge of local government law, governance, decision‑making and probity
* Experience advising at senior strategic level within a public sector or similar organisation
* Proven ability to supervise, develop and lead a specialist legal team
* Exceptional analytical, drafting and problem‑solving skills
* Ability to manage complex, high‑risk matters requiring extensive research and judgement
* Strong partnership‑building and communication skills at Member, officer and inter‑agency levels
* A commitment to high professional standards, service improvement and equality, diversity and inclusion
The council offers:
* A high‑profile leadership role with strategic influence
* Varied, complex and intellectually stimulating caseloads
* Hybrid working arrangements (2 days per week in the office)
* Opportunities to shape policy, governance and service delivery
* Dedicated CPD, leadership development and training
* A collaborative and inclusive culture
Apply now
If you are an experienced legal leader ready to take on a senior strategic role with real impact on the borough’s future, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Please send an updated CV to
Working through LAW Absolute
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We are able to offer our contractors a range of challenging opportunities across private practice, corporates, financial services and within the not-for-profit sector. With over 20 years of placing contract lawyers in these markets, we have built excellent networks and many of the lawyers that we work with are contract lawyers that we have successfully placed on multiple assignments, allowing them to work with autonomy and build their career in the way they choose to. For our clients, we have worked closely with legal teams to help them plan and manage delivery of their services in a more efficient way in terms of resources, costs and timescales.
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