Further Information Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Legal Services is a high performing in-house legal service which plays an essential part in the achievement of the objectives of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. Our objective is to provide high quality and efficient professional services that meet our clients’ expectations.
We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic Litigation Lawyer who shares our values, ambition and culture, working in the Adult and Litigation team, to provide legal advice and support to the wider Council teams.
The successful candidate will be a highly skilled lawyer with experience in civil or criminal Litigation and/or regulatory services. You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or CILEx lawyer with a current practising certificate (though we will consider those about to qualify having completed all academic stages).
The successful candidate will undertake the full range of civil and criminal litigation including providing advice, support and assistance to council officers on contentious and regulatory functions, including representation at court. You will be responsible for a challenging caseload. You will be line managed by the Lead Solicitor and supported by legal officers in the team. A willingness to undertake advocacy in the Magistrates/County Court is essential.
You will also need:
1. Knowledge of relevant legislation, case law, procedures and good practice.
2. Excellent organisation and communication skills.
3. Enthusiasm and passion to deliver an excellent service to our client.
Key Responsibilities:
4. To be responsible for your own caseload, providing a professional legal service with support from our team of Legal Officers including giving legal advice, drafting documents, conducting litigation, undertaking advocacy and providing support to clients in one or more areas of the team’s work.
5. To be responsible for conduct of litigation (including advocacy) in the areas of responsibility as assigned by the Lead Solicitor.
6. To contribute to the effective operational management of the Legal Services team to deliver a high quality and cost-effective legal service which includes undertaking work in other areas of Legal Services where required and competent to do so.
What we offer:
7. A competitive salary of up to £50,269
8. 27 days annual leave per year rising to 32 with 5 years’ service (plus bank holidays). Ability to purchase additional leave is also available.
9. Generous Pension Scheme through the LGPS with ability to pay extra and plan for retirement.
10. Access to a number of other employee benefits including learning & development opportunities, a car lease scheme, discounts at high street and online retailers, an employee assistance programme and physiotherapy services.
11. We actively promote a positive work / life balance and support wellbeing.
12. A friendly and supportive working environment and a wealth of interesting work.
And that’s not all – you can also work flexibly where you can work part of your week at home.
For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.
For more information about working for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, please visit the Careers section on our website:
For a further informal discussion, please contact Rebecca Jackson, Lead Solicitor on 01642 526315 or Natalie Hodgson, Senior Lawyer, on 01642 528777.
Guidance for applicants
You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.
Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered with North East Jobs, including your invite to interview if you are short-listed. Please check your email after the closing date for notification from ‘DONOTREPLY@NORTHEASTJOBS.ORG.UK’. All communication will also appear in the ‘My Messages’ section of your North East Jobs account.
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