Interim Lawyer – Legal Services
Location: Kent
Directorate: Chief Executive’s Department
Service: Legal Services
Contract: 4 months initial
Reporting to: Head of Group / Deputy Head of Law
Experience: 2+ PQE
About the Role
Kent's Local Authority is seeking a skilled Lawyer to join its Legal Services team, providing high‑quality legal advice, drafting, and support across one or more specialist areas. You will play a key role in enabling the Authority to meet its strategic objectives, supporting senior leaders, Members, and internal clients with timely, accurate, and solution‑focused legal guidance.
This role also contributes to the Authority's wider corporate responsibilities, supporting good governance, safeguarding, and effective service delivery.
Key Specialisms
* You will advise on one or more of the following areas:
* Planning - applications, appeals, enforcement
* Highways – highways law, public rights of way, village greens
* Property – property transactions and related matters
* Contracts & Commercial – works, services, concessions, procurement, subsidy control
* Litigation – Judicial Review, discrimination, Human Rights Act claims, money claims, debt recovery
Key Responsibilities
* Provide high‑quality legal advice within your specialist area(s)
* Draft all necessary legal documentation and transactional paperwork
* Maintain and develop specialist knowledge to support Members, senior managers, and officers
* Attend internal and external meetings as the Authority legal advisor
* Build strong working relationships with internal clients and external partners
* Work collaboratively across Legal Services to ensure timely, coordinated advice
* Support the Head of Group with commissioning external legal advice where required
* Provide accurate reports on commissioned work and progress
* Record time spent on chargeable matters for internal or third‑party recharging
* Contribute to quality assurance processes and compliance within Legal Services
* Undertake additional duties commensurate with the role
Corporate Responsibilities
As part of the wider Authority leadership culture, you will:
* Support the Council’s strategic aims and statutory obligations
* Promote safeguarding and act as a corporate parent
* Champion the Authority's brand and reputation
* Use performance insight to drive service improvement
* Work collaboratively across services and with partners
* Contribute to commissioning, risk management, and continuous improvement
* Support organisational change and workforce development
Candidate Requirements
Qualifications
* Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Legal Executive with a current practising certificate
* 2+ years PQE (guidance only)
Experience
* Proven experience in one or more of the listed Specialisms
Skills & Abilities
* Ability to work to high professional standards and meet deadlines
* Strong drafting, research, and analytical skills
* Effective communicator with excellent presentation skills
* Strong IT skills, including MS Word, Outlook, and legal case management systems
* Ability to work under pressure and use initiative
* Strong teamworking and relationship‑building skills
Personal Qualities
* Personable, approachable, and collaborative
* Flexible and responsive to changing priorities
* Committed to continuous learning and knowledge‑sharing
Our Values & Culture
You will embody and promote Kent’s core values:
* Brave – doing the right thing and embracing challenge
* Curious – seeking innovation and improvement
* Compassionate – respectful and understanding
* Strong Together – sharing knowledge and supporting colleagues
* Responsible– owning the impact of your work
The Council fosters a culture that is:
Flexible • Curious • Compassionate • Collaborative • Empowering • Externally focused