Employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Salary: £46,142 - £51,357 Per Annum, Plus Benefits (Pay award pending)
Location: Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End/Home Working
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week.
DBS Check: No
Closing Date: 05/07/2026 at 23:00
Reference: 713430
We have an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Lawyer to join our in-house Legal Service here at Wokingham Borough Council specialising in Litigation, on a Full Time Permanent Basis.
We are looking for a candidate with an understanding and knowledge of either Civil and / or Criminal Litigation.
You may have already worked within the public sector, but we also encourage candidates from the private sector, including the Legal Aid sector.
Like all of the Council’s Legal Services we work flexibly with most lawyers working primarily from home, although the successful candidate must be able to attend court where and when necessary, and attend our offices for in-person meetings based on business needs.
Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:
Benefits
* Generous Annual Leave – 31 days annual leave (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays
* GP Helpline – Available 7 days a week
* Employee Assistance Programme – Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline
* Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines
* Free Onsite Gym – Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham
* Salary Sacrifice Schemes – Including Car and Cycle to Work schemes
* Local & Lifestyle Discounts – Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more
* Move through Menopause Course
* Sports & Social Group Activities – Including running, football, cricket & more
* And more!
Key Responsibilities
* Deliver expert legal advice and representation in Litigation, including Court attendance.
* Independently manage a significant case load, including politically sensitive legal matters and governance.
* Coach legal staff and train officers on evolving laws and policies.
* Collaborate with stakeholders to drive service improvements and ensure value for money.
Candidate Requirements
* Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX lawyers must be authorised to conduct litigation, and have appropriate advocacy authorisation).
* Adaptable and highly organised to manage case load and projects
* Knowledge of civil and /or criminal litigation with an ability to develop in the other areas
* Experience of advocacy in the Magistrates and/or County Court
* Ability to work professionally and confidently in an organised manner with minimal supervision
* A competent IT user, team player and confident managing a wide case load
* Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with a range of people both internally and externally
Wokingham Borough Council has recently been ranked 2nd most productive council in England by the Impower Productivity Index, recognising our strong performance and efficient use of public money.
Our Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.
We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.
AI in Applications
We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.
However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.
We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.
If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.
Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.
If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.
Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.
Closing date: Sunday 5th July 2026 at 11pm
Interview date: TBC
#J-18808-Ljbffr