Position Details
Commercial Litigation Lawyer
* Grade: PO3 – PO5
* Reports to: Senior Commercial Litigation Lawyer
* Direct reports: None
* Your team: Commercial Litigation Team
* Service area: Law and Governance
* Directorate: Resources
Special Requirements of the Post
Workstyle: Desk-based worker (Lower presence, one day a week minimum)
* Colleagues who are not usually client or customer-facing and can mostly work anywhere with the right technology. Regular on-site activities are required such as team events and collaboration that are more productive face to face
Our Mission
Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn’t be clearer: we serve. It’s in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.
To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.
Overview of the Role
To provide high level and proactive advice and assistance in Commercial Litigation Law and Procedure.
To have conduct of a heavy caseload in all areas of practice and act as advocate on behalf of the Council.
Key Responsibilities
1. To provide specialist and pro‑active legal advice and assistance at a senior level on all aspects of Commercial Litigation law matters.
2. To handle complex litigation on Commercial Litigation matters, undertake advocacy and to instruct counsel when necessary.
3. To advise on the Council’s powers and its procedures and assist in ensuring the legality of its decision making.
4. To consider and give advice on committee and other similar reports and to attend committee.
5. To take a lead in developing policy and good practice within the post-holder’s area of responsibility.
6. To deal with corporate complaints and Member enquiries when appropriate.
7. To lead, plan or participate in corporate policy or project groups dealing with relevant policy and practice and related issues.
8. To keep up to date with changes in the law and other developments in this area of work, and to advise on any action to be taken as a result, and to provide training to clients, members and the Legal department.
9. To use and assist others to use information technology systems (adhering to corporate standards such as those relating to Internet and E‑mail). To carry out duties in the most efficient and effective manner and to promote the development of new IT initiatives within the Team and ensure that duties are undertaken with due regard to compliance with the Data Protection Act and other relevant legislation.
10. To provide cover as necessary for other areas within the team or within Legal Services as a whole.
11. To meet the chargeable hours target for the post and the agreed performance and quality standards as fixed by the Legal Services Management Team.
12. Any additional duties consistent with the grade and level of responsibility of this position, for which the holder possesses the required experience and/or training.
Compliance
Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory, and policy requirements under GDPR, Health and Safety, Employee Code of Conduct and in your area of expertise by identifying opportunities and risks, and escalating issues as necessary.
Person Specification
Your application form needs to demonstrate how you fulfil the role’s requirements. It is essential to address the criteria, as this will be used to evaluate your suitability for the position.
Essential and Desirable Criteria
Essential: the basic requirements that must be met for someone to be considered for a particular job. These criteria are mandatory and cannot be negotiated. Essential criteria directly impact the core qualifications or skills necessary to perform the job effectively.
Desirable: the additional qualities, skills, or qualifications that would be advantageous for a candidate to possess but are not mandatory. Not meeting them does not automatically disqualify someone from consideration for the job. This also allows candidates who do not possess certain desirable criteria the opportunity to explain how their other knowledge, experience and skills relate to these and what they may be in the process of doing or willing to do to achieve these.
Knowledge, experience, and skills
1. Admitted solicitor or qualified barrister in England (or comparable jurisdiction) or fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives - Essential
2. A minimum of two years’ post qualification experience in the legal profession, or exceptional experience of a shorter duration - Essential
3. A minimum of 6 months of dealing with complex commercial litigation matters, or exceptional experience of shorter duration - Essential
4. A thorough knowledge of commercial litigation law, and knowledge of or ability to acquire knowledge of information/data protection law - Essential
5. A thorough knowledge of the procedural requirements of the Civil Procedure Rules, and the Land Tribunal rules - Essential
6. Ability to obtain evidence, evaluate evidence, prepare cases and appear as an advocate on behalf of the Council in Court, Tribunals and Inquiries - Essential
7. Ability to advise on, draft, and amend the Council’s policies to ensure compliance with the law and best practice - Essential
1. Ability to communicate well in writing and orally with good presentation skills - Essential
2. Ability to give clear and proactive legal advice to officers and members, whether in writing or orally, including at Committees and to deliver efficient and high quality services to members and service areas in all areas of work for which the postholder is responsible - Essential
3. Ability to handle complex legal matters within area of responsibility personally - Essential
4. Ability to work as part of a team, and supervising the work of others, and ability to assist with the training and development of staff - Essential
Our Accreditations
Our accreditations include Disability Confident Leader, The Mayor’s Good Work Standard, London Living Wage Employer, Stonewall Diversity Champion, and Employer with Heart.
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