Part Time Senior Solicitor (Governance)
Runnymede (Local Authority role)
6 Month Contract initially
Hourly rate negotiable
Part Time, 26 hours per week
1 or 2 days per week in office, the remaining working days can be remote.
Qualified solicitor role, current practising certificate and SRA number are mandatory requirements.
Role:
- Provide high-level support to the Corporate Head (Monitoring Officer) and Deputy Corporate Head (DMO) of Law & Governance, Senior Officers and leading elected members of the Council on complex governance and constitutional issues and work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to advance the council's objectives; Provide Specialist legal advice and support on legal issues including (inter alia):
o Constitutional and Complaints issues
o Public consultations
o Audit and risk matters
o Equalities (supporting our lead equalities solicitor)
o Decision-making
o New areas of law and changes to the law that have a corporate or strategic importance to the Council
- Advise on Judicial Reviews and High Court claims arising out of the above listed areas of work and negotiate settlements as appropriate
- Draft, negotiate and agree complex legal and other documentation arising out of the exercise of the above areas of responsibility
- Provide support on corporate and strategic legal work, including cross-departmental projects and initiatives
- Draft reports for and advise on legal implications for reports to member level meetings and attend such meetings to provide legal advice and present reports.
- Participate in corporate project groups as required by the Corporate Head and Deputy Corporate Head of Law & Governance
- Maintain an up-to-date, comprehensive knowledge of developments in relevant areas of law and disseminate that information and any implications for the council to the legal department as necessary
Job Activities:
- Undertake the general work of a local government solicitor as directed from time to time in particular:
- To carry a caseload of legal work, working independently/minimally supervised, within the lawyer’s specialism and to be responsible for completing all aspects of the task in accordance with good legal practice and client service.
- To manage the relationship with external legal advisors appointed in connection with provision of legal advice related to Runnymede Borough Council.
- To instruct Counsel when appropriate or advised and to assist Counsel in the presentation of cases to the Court when necessary.
- To undertake a range of specific tasks as directed by the Interim Deputy Corporate Head of Law and Governance .
- To undertake such other duties and responsibilities as may be allocated from time to time.
- To actively contribute towards the continual improvement of the service and make effective use of case management systems.
- Drafting reports to members and committees and attending meetings during office hours.
If you have any questions about this role or wish to apply, please contact isobel@deekay.co.uk who will respond at the earliest convenience.
