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Join to apply for the Principal Legal Officer role at Leeds City Council
Job title: Principal Legal Officer
Salary: PO6 *GBP*49,764 - *GBP*52,805
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Civic Hall
Leeds City Council is a progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses to create a vibrant and economically thriving city. Our planning legal team is highly ranked in the annual Planning Law Survey 2025
We are looking for an experienced senior planning lawyer, who will advise planning committees, boards and senior officers, advise on strategic planning matters, and undertake planning appeals and judicial reviews.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions .
About You
As a Principal Legal Officer, you will bring to the role:
* the ability to manage a substantial personal caseload of complex legal professional work (both contentious and non contentious), primarily development, planning law, highways law and local government law legal work.
* good interpersonal skills,
* a can do attitude with regard to all aspects of the role, including advising and supporting colleagues, clients and members
* be able to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic and committed.
* ability to grasp and assimilate new information quickly
About The Role
You will advise on a wide range of complex planning and highways matters, attend and advise planning committees and boards, and advise on planning appeals, judicial reviews and public inquiries.
What We Offer You
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
* a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
* membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
* flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
* a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
* a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How To Apply
Upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Pippa Plumtree-Varley, Team Leader Development Team. Call 0113 3785131 or email
Philippa.plumtreevarley@leeds.gov.uk
Interviews are expected to be held week beginning 18 August
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying.To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least *GBP*38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job Purpose: The section covers the following areas of work: development, planning law, highways law property, finance and local government law. The postholder will provide a high quality, value for money legal service, which actively supports the delivery of the council strategic objectives as set out in the Best City Ambitions.
Responsibilities
* Undertake a substantial personal caseload of complex legal professional work (both contentious and non contentious), primarily development, planning law, highways law and local government law legal work. The post holder will be expected to provide support in at least one other area of law covered by the section, and any other local government legal matters as required.
* Support the generation of external income in the section and across the service and take an active role in coaching and mentoring staff within the section and service.
* Undertake a substantial complex personal caseload of development, planning law, highways law and local government law legal work and other areas covered by the section as required.
* Represent council colleagues and other clients in proceedings in inquiries, tribunals, the County Court and (subject to rights of audience) Higher Courts, including in relation to contested proceedings.
* Conduct investigatory and preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to Court and advise as to the progression of cases and the value of particular strategies.
* Draft and issue court proceedings and other documentation such as instructions to counsel as necessary.
* To draft legal documentation, agreements and advice.
* Foster and deliver a can do attitude with regard to all aspects of the role, including advising and supporting colleagues, clients and members; contributing to change; and increasing external income generation.
* Establish, develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of internal colleagues, external stakeholders and parties including Members, directors and senior officers to improve and enhance service delivery.
* Maintain an awareness of all legislative and case law developments which might impact on the work of colleagues and clients and advise them as appropriate
* Provide legal advice and support to committees and advice to clients both orally and in writing, in relation to complex matters.
* Work flexibly as part of a team to cover court and tribunal commitments and other work as required
* Meet all professional requirements, for example and as appropriate the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) competency framework in relation to personal development and SRA Standards and Regulations
* Support other staff within the section and service as required including providing training to colleagues and clients
* Perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the following:
* The council policies and codes of practice
* The council constitution
* Legal Servicesstandards, objectives, targets and timescales
* Legal ServicesLexcel procedures
* Attend meetings, tribunals, inquiries/appeals and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council and outside your normal working hours as required
* Carry out such other duties within Legal Services and the Council, and for other clients as required commensurate with the grade as required
* Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
* Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
* Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
* Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
* Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
* Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
* Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
* The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
* The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualifications Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a practising certificate or FCILEX
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements
Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate
Skills Required
* Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
* Able to plan and organise own workload with minimum supervision, to strict deadlines
* Able to act as an advocate on behalf of the council including dealing with complex contested hearings
* Able to communicate effectively and establish productive relationships with people and organisations at different levels inside and outside the council
* Able to recognise and build on opportunities to develop external legal work for the service and grasp and assimilate new information quickly
* Able to resolve a wide range of complex legal problems in a local government context
* Able to draft and prepare clear and concise documents, procedures, guidance notes, reports, statements, letters and memoranda
* Able to anticipate changes needed to meet organisational objectives and identify strategies to overcome difficulties.
* Able to carry out effective legal research
Knowledge Required
* Of the law and practice relating to planning and highway law
* Of law and practice relating to local government
* Awareness of the sensitive and confidential nature of the work
Experience Required
* Of managing and dealing with a substantial complex personal caseload.
* Of providing advice to clients on complex matters
* Of working as an effective member of a team
* Of advocacy (where relevant) including experience in dealing with complex cases
Behavioural & Other Characteristics Required
* Committed to continuous improvement.
* Ability to understand and observe Leeds City Council Equal Opportunities Policy.
* To carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health & Safety Policies.
* Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development
* Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct.
* An understanding and awareness of working in a political environment.
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