£49,764 - £52,805 per annum

As a Principal Legal Officer you thrive on playing a significant role in providing employment law advice at a senior and strategic level and leading on the Council most complex employment litigation.

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 Employment 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 complex personal caseload of legal professional work in the area of Employment law. You will be expected to deal with complex advice and complex contested hearings in the Employment Tribunal. They would be expected to attend committee/board meetings and members briefings as requested to advise.

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 378 9153 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 Employment law.

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 complex legal matters in one or more areas set out above in Purpose of the job.
• To draft and issue court proceedings and other documentation as necessary.
• To conduct investigatory and preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to court/tribunals/inquiries/appeals.
• To draft instructions to Counsel. To attend court/tribunals/inquiries/ appeals with Counsel as instructing representative if required.
• To undertake advocacy and represent the Council and other clients in proceedings/tribunals/court, inquiries/appeals and (subject to rights of audience) Higher Courts, including in relation to complex contested proceedings.
• To advise/update as to the progression of cases and the value of particular strategies.
• To work flexibly as part of a team to cover court/tribunal/inquiry commitments and other work as required.
• To advise clients both orally and in writing, including in relation to complex matters.
• To provide legal advice and support to committees/board meetings, member briefings etc.
• 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 provide training for clients, colleagues and members with regard to law and practice.
• To establish, develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of internal colleagues and external stakeholders and parties including members, directors and senior officers to improve and enhance service delivery.
• To support other staff within the Section and Service as required including taking an active role in coaching and mentoring staff.
• To contribute directly to the generation of external income.
• To work flexibly across the Service as and when required.
• To take personal responsibility under and abide by the Council Health and Safety Policy.
• Willing to abide by the Council 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 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 competency 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 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.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Closing date: 22 July 2025

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