About you:

Exeter City Council is a highly ambitious and innovative authority in one of the most economically successful cities in the UK and has its sights firmly fixed on creating a city that is inclusive, healthy and sustainable.

You will be an experienced and confident legal professional who is ready to take the next step into a senior, high‑impact leadership role. You will be a qualified Barrister, Solicitor or Legal Executive with authorised‑person status with a proven track record in handling a range of contentious matters in the areas of civil, commercial and criminal law. You will be comfortable with appearing before the civil and criminal courts and tribunals, instructing Counsel where required, as well as demonstrating the ability to communicate complex legal issues with clarity.

You will be someone who can balance technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills. You naturally coach and support others, and you take pride in setting high standards for your team. You’re highly organised, resilient under pressure, and able to manage a demanding workload with professionalism and care. Above all, you value high‑quality legal practice and the determination to deliver positive outcomes for both internal clients and the wider community.

About the role:

In this senior position, you will lead the Housing & Litigation Team, overseeing a Litigation Lawyer, Legal Officer and Apprentice Lawyer. You will manage and allocate workloads, supervise case progression, and support the development of your team. Alongside your leadership responsibilities, you will maintain a busy and varied personal caseload, dealing with contentious legal matters across the Council.

Your work will span a variety of areas of law including housing, homelessness, environmental health, planning enforcement, debt recovery, and other contentious areas relevant to the Council’s services. You will prepare and conduct cases in the civil and criminal courts and tribunals, negotiate settlements, and advise colleagues, Members, and external partners on strategic legal issues. You will also contribute to corporate priorities, such as work relating to anti‑social behaviour and public wellbeing and will act as an Authorising Officer for surveillance powers under RIPA.

About the team:

You will be joining Exeter City Council’s Legal Services team, working closely with the Legal Services Manager and the Head of Service – Legal and Democratic Services as well as the Council’s Housing Services team, senior officers, Members, courts, and a wide range of external partners to support the Council’s statutory duties and corporate objectives.

Working within the Corporate Resources directorate, you will be part of a service that values professionalism, integrity, and continuous improvement. You will have the opportunity to contribute to service development, help shape best practice, and play a key role in resolving some of the most significant and impactful legal issues facing the Council and the communities it serves.

What next?

If we sound like the right fit for you and you feel like the right fit for us we would welcome your application. Please click on the Apply button at the bottom of this page.

Interview dates will be confirmed.

For further details on this position including the Job Description and Person Specification and how to apply, please visit our website on www.exeter.gov.uk/jobs

You are welcome to discuss the position informally. Please call Matthew Hall, Legal Services Manager on 01392 265634.

We reserve the right to close any vacancy before the closing date if enough applications are received.

Our commitment

At Exeter City Council we are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.

To support this commitment we will strive to implement reasonable adjustments to support any members of our communities who face barriers in recruitment processes, irrespective of the reason.

We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.