£44,711 - £47,754 per annum

As a Principal Legal Officer you thrive on playing a significant role in supporting the safeguarding of, and services provided to, the most vulnerable adults in the City through the provision of professional advice and representation in contested legal proceedings.

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:

• Be a solicitor or barrister holding a practising certificate or FCILEx with a keen interest in Adult Social Care Law.
• Be values-driven, enthusiastic and outcome focussed;
• Come with fresh thinking, energy and compassion for people;
• Demonstrate a commitment to building relationships with Council services, the Courts and partner organisations.

About the role
As a Principal Legal Officer you will undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal professional work in the area of Adult Social Care law. You will be expected to deal with providing quality legal advice and representing the Council in contested hearings in the Court of Protection.

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
Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement explaining how you meet the criteria set out in one of the Job Descriptions.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Amy Walker (Team Leader) on 0113 3789134 or via email at Amy.Walker2@leeds.gov.uk.

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 *GBP*38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Purpose:
To 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 Council Plan.

To undertake a substantial complex personal caseload of legal professional work in the area of Adult Social Care. 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 complex advice and complex contested hearings. They would be expected to attend committee/board meetings and members briefings as requested to advise.

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 Purpose of job.
• To draft legal documentation as necessary relevant to the job role.
• To conduct investigatory and preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to court and or successful completion of agreements as appropriate.
• 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 commitments including for example court work/ completion of agreements 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 perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the Council 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 if appropriate, the SRA competence framework in relation personal development.
• 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.

Closing date: 22 July 2025

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.