Litigation Solicitor - Swindon (Local Authority role)

Min 1 day a week office attendance on a Wednesday plus other dates depending on business needs (Postcode: SN1 2JG)

To provide a comprehensive legal service, legal advice and legal documentation   and assistance to members and officers of the Council at all levels and other clients of the Legal Department on complex and high profile matters involving Civil and Commercial Litigation, Regulatory Enforcement, Licensing and Employment.

1. The role will provide high quality legal advice and competently manage a caseload of legal working autonomously to solution problems through analytical ability and thorough research

2. To manage a wide ranging varied caseload and complex legal work

3. To provide professional support and mentoring for less experienced colleagues, and oversee effective completion as required.

4. To provide high quality legal advice generally and in all cases including the most complex as to whether cases should be brought or defended before any Courts and Tribunals and settling the manner of their conduct.
5. To act as advocate and represent the Council at the Magistrates Court, County Court and Employment Tribunal.
6. To work autonomously prioritising caseload ensuring deadlines and agreed time frames are met to avoid unnecessary delays and increased council cost
7. To draft, negotiate and complete complex legal documentation
8. To give legal advice and resolve legal matters to the Council, its Officers (at all levels) and/or Members as and when required, including making decisions on complex and high profile transactions of significant financial value matters with far reaching implications to the council's reputation.
9. To give advice on any matters including legal and policy related issues and to appear as required at the Courts or other Tribunals, and to make important decisions as to the conduct of the matters dealt with by the post holder.
10. To attend and give advice to Cabinet or other Committees, Sub-Committees or Working Parties or other groups of the Council at public meetings or in closed sessions as and when required and to establish good working relationships with other departments and outside agencies.
11. To keep updated and implement as needed  new legislation, case law, codes of practice and policy relating to relevant areas of work, (and to undertake the minimum number of hours of training required by the post holder's professional qualification annually) and inform clients of significant developments by providing guidance and training to client departments and junior members of staff.
12. To develop new templates for legal documentation, liaising with client departments and providing updates on work and the latest legal and policy developments.
13. To contribute towards the development of the team
14. To carry out other duties appropriate to the level of responsibility of the post as required from time to time by the Principal Solicitor or Chief Legal Officer.
15. To promote the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards throughout the work and service of the Council and to conduct professional work in accordance with the codes set by the Legal Services Team.

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.