Principal Legal Officer (PO4) - REQ003985

Job title: Principal Legal Officer (Anti-Social Behaviour litigator)

Salary: PO4 £46,142 - £49,282

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Civic Hall Leeds.

Leeds City Council is a progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses and partner agencies to create a vibrant and economically thriving city. Our ASB legal team is highly regarded in the region, local courts and WY Police.

We are looking for a qualified lawyer with experience in, or knowledge of ASB law and litigation, who will be required to undertake a substantial personal caseload of contentious and non-contentious legal professional work in Anti-Social Behaviour law.

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:

An enthusiasm to work with partner agencies to find solutions for unique anti-social behaviour cases and bring respite to those effected;
An objective mindset ensuring that a “One Council” approach is maintained;
the ability to be the advocate in applications appropriate to your grade in the County Court and Magistrates Court;
a “can do” attitude and the ability to work as part of a team, be flexible, enthusiastic and committed to supporting the work of the wider Legal Service.

About the role

The role is integral to the Council’s ambitions and Safer Leeds Strategy to combat ASB across the city. In doing this role you will make a real difference to the people of Leeds who have been blighted by anti-social behaviour.

You will advise on a wide range of ASB and Housing Possession matters, working closely with council colleagues and third parties to find pragmatic and innovative solutions to issues; and make the case in a courtroom as an advocate or with a barrister.

As part of a small team, you will work closely with a more senior advocate dedicated to ASB casework also. The role has the opportunity for promotion for the right candidate.

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 Richard des Forges, Team Leader by calling 0113 3789073 or email Richard.desforges@leeds.gov.uk

Interviews will take place in December.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers list. We are also an age friendly employer, a mindful employer and a disability confident leader.

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 visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

To provide a high quality, value for money legal service, which actively supports the delivery of the Council’s strategic objectives as set out in the Council Values and Ambitions.

To undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal professional work in Anti-Social Behaviour. The post holder will be expected to have this area of work as a focus but also to provide support on at least one other area of law as required, and any other local government legal matters and /or matters dealt with by Legal Services.

The post holder would be expected to deal with advice and contested hearings, with more complex advice and advocacy being dealt with by higher grader officers.

To contribute directly to the generation of external income and work flexibly across the Service as and when required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

To undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal matters in one or more areas as set out above in “Job Purpose”.
To draft and issue court and other documentation as necessary.
To conduct investigatory and preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to court.
To provide advice/updates as to the progression of cases and the value of particular strategies.
To draft instructions to counsel. To attend court/tribunals/inquiries/appeals with counsel as instructing representative if required.
To undertake advocacy on cases where appropriate including contested hearings.
To work flexibly as part of a team to cover court, tribunal/inquiries/appeals commitments and other work as required.
To provide advice to clients both orally and in writing.
To maintain an awareness of all legislative and case law developments which might impact on the work of clients and advise them as appropriate.
To prepare and deliver training for clients and colleagues with regard to law and practice relating to their functions and work.
To contribute directly to the generation of external income.
To work flexibly across the Service as and when required.
To support other staff within the Section and Service as required.
To take personal responsibility under and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety policy.

Willing to abide by the Council’s Equality and Diversity policy in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the Council.
To perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the Council’s policies.
To foster and deliver a “can do “attitude with regard to all aspects of the role, including advising and supporting colleagues, clients and members and contributing to change.
To meet all professional requirements, for example and as appropriate, the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) competence framework in relation to personal development and SRA Standards and Regulations.
To carry out such other duties within Legal Services and the Council, and for other clients as, from time to time, may be reasonably required, which are commensurate with the grade, experience, training and level of responsibility within the Council at your initial place of work or from any other of the Council's establishments or from any other suitable place of work identified by the Council. You may be required to attend meetings, tribunals, inquiries/appeals and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council.
To undertake work for other authorities under partnership and/or other arrangements

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.

SKILLS REQUIRED

Able to plan and organise own workload, with minimum supervision, and to strict deadlines.
Able to act as an advocate on behalf of the Council including dealing with contested hearings
Able to work and communicate effectively as a member of a team.
Able to establish productive relationships with people and organisations at different levels inside and outside the Council.
Able to grasp and assimilate new information quickly.
Able to resolve a wide range of 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 carry out effective legal research.
Able to contribute directly to generate external income.
Able to work flexibly across the Service as required.

KNOWLEDGE / QUALIFICATIONS

Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a practising certificate or FCILEX (holding advocacy certificate)
Knowledge of the law and practice relating to Anti-Social Behaviour.
Knowledge of law and practice relating to local government

EXPERIENCE

Experience of managing and dealing with a personal caseload.
Experience of advocacy e.g. courts/tribunal/inquiries/appeals including experience in dealing with contested hearings, as appropriate.
Experience of providing advice to clients.
Experience of assisting others in providing training, preferably legal.
Experience of Windows based IT systems.
Experience of working to a quality system e.g. Lexcel, ISO or similar (D)
Experience of working as an effective member of a team.

BEHAVIIOURAL AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

To demonstrate and evidence living the council’s values and behaviours.
A commitment to provide and develop for client's high quality legal services.
A professional approach and presentation.
An awareness of the sensitive and confidential nature of the work.
A willingness to work flexibly beyond normal hours.
To take ownership of your personal development planning and be willing to actively participate in learning and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS:

It is desirable 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 are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

KNOWLEDGE / QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of the law and practice relating to at least one other area of law covered by the section (Desirable requirement)

EXPERIENCE

Experience of providing legal training.
Experience of advising committees.
Experience of working to a quality system e.g. Lexcel, ISO or similar.

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