£51,356 - £56,494 per annum + MRS of £3,000 per year 

This position is being advertised for Principal Lawyers with optional areas of focus:

• Principal Lawyer – Adult Focus
• Principal Lawyer – Children Focus

Candidates may specify whether they are seeking an adult service role or children’s focus role.

Do you want to make a difference to local people?
As one of the largest legal practices in the area, our dedicated Legal Service teams strive to get the best outcomes for people in Kirklees. 

The Team
The Safeguarding Children and Adults Team is one of the specialist teams within Kirklees Legal Services.

We act for the council on a range of matters including Public Law Proceedings relating to children and cases in relation to vulnerable adults in the Court of Protection. We work closely with the council’s social work teams who provide services to vulnerable children and  adults.

The Role
As part of this role, you will be expected to prepare cases for court using our excellent case management and court bundling systems. You will also appear as an advocate and instruct counsel where required, specifically within the field of child safeguarding and/or adult social care and safeguarding.

We are looking for someone with a positive approach who enjoys working as part of a team. You will be supported by our Senior Lawyers, Assistant Legal Officers and  Business Support team.

Development
If you are ambitious to develop your skills and knowledge in legal services, and want to know more about the legal issues that affect local authorities – this is the role for you. We put a strong emphasis on training and personal development, and want to support you to be the best you can be.

What you will bring
You will be a qualified Solicitor (or Barrister) holding a current practising certificate, or you will be a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives who holds a Civil Proceedings Certificate (or who is a Legal Executive Advocate). 

You will also have the ability and experience of drafting application forms and complex court documentation to support Local Authority applications in public law children act proceedings and applications in the Court of Protection.

Do you have any experience in the following areas?
We are looking for someone with experience in at least one of the following areas, but experience in more than one area would be beneficial.

• Children Act 1989 – Public & Private Law Applications
• Adoption and Children Act 2002 – Public & Private Law Applications
• Care Act 2014
• Mental Health Act 1983, Community Care, Mental Capacity Act
• Advocacy in public & private children proceedings
• Advocacy in public or private law adoption or special guardianship applications
• Judicial Review/Administrative Law

Our employees are at the very heart of the services we provide to the community, to help us achieve our ambitions, we want the best possible team. In return, we will make sure you are rewarded with a great range of staff benefits to support you in and out of work. 

Margaret Miller is the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information. 

We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities. So, if you need any support completing an application form, or any other format for the application or Job Description please contact the Recruitment Team for help by email: jobs@kirklees.gov.uk or phone: 01484 221000 and ask for ‘Recruitment’.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We encourage you to read our AI Guidance before submitting your application to ensure your supporting statements reflect your own authentic experience.

Closing date: 1 June 2026

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