Job description
Deputy Principal Legal Officer
Salary: £ p/h
Location: Craigavon / Remote Working
Hours: 9am - 5pm, Mon - Fri / 37 hours per week
Duration: Temporary ongoing
Job Summary:
1. Must be a qualified solicitor/barrister entitled to hold a practice certificate.
2. Assist with detailed guidance on charity legislation as required.
3. Provide advice to Commission staff and Board on legal issues, including complex applications for charitable status and consents required under the legislation. This will include consideration of complex constitutions, requiring reference to Trust, Contract and Company law.
4. Conduct appeals on behalf of Commission in the Charity Tribunal.
5. Prepare briefs and instruct Counsel/CSO on behalf of Commission if required.
6. Provide advice to Commission on issues arising out of appeals.
7. Provide advice for investigation and monitoring staff and assist with legal processes arising as a result of investigations.
8. Provide advice on internal legal issues such as contracts or employment issues.
9. Keep abreast of charity case law and inform Commission of relevant developments.
10. Advise on and assist in the writing of precedents and decisions for refusal of entry to the register.
11. Respond to Freedom of Information inquiries where appropriate.
12. Maintain a database and records of legal issues and precedents.
13. Comply with Data Protection, Freedom of Information and CCNI requirements relating to documentation and record keeping.
14. Ability to work flexibly across teams and a range of areas.
15. Ability to manage own workload and work simultaneously on range of complex tasks.
16. Undertake other ad-hoc duties as may be reasonably required and requested by Commission.
Essential Criteria:
Qualification
17. Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in Northern Ireland or called to the Bar of Northern Ireland
18. Holds or is entitled to hold a practising certificate from the Law Society of Northern Ireland or Bar Council
Experience
19. Have a minimum of 5 years' post qualification experience in trust and/or company and/or property and/or contract law.
20. Experience of working as part of a team providing sound legal advice and preparing reports.
21. Experience of preparing briefs and instructions to counsel and evidence of representation in litigation in Court/Tribunal proceedings.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
22. Ability to manage a diverse and complex workload and deliver to high standards against tight deadlines.
23. Ability to provide and present legal advice to a range of different types of audiences.
24. Ability to collaborate with key stakeholders and develop effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
25. Ability to interpret and apply the law.
26. Ability to maintain an up to date knowledge of charity case law and all relevant charity legislation.
27. Working knowledge of trust and/or company and/or property and/or contract law.
28. Ability to maintain an effective awareness of legislation and governance practice.
29. Ability to identify and manage risks to the delivery of the organisation's work.
30. Ability to work flexibility across teams and projects.
31. High degree of literacy, numeracy and computer skills.
32. Ability to maintain accurate database records on all legal issues.
33. Knowledge and application of General Data Protection Regulations.