Corporate Solicitor

Vanrath have an exceptional opportunity within a large public sector client located in Ballymena, on the recruitment of a Corporate Solicitoron a temporary ongoing basis.

What’s in it for you?

• Full time 37 hours Monday to Friday
• Temporary ongoing
• £50,512 up to £53,630 (negotiable)
• Located in Ballymena

What you’ll do

Service Delivery

• • Carry out duties as a qualified Solicitor in connection with an assigned caseload, including representing the Council in court.
  • Provide advice on legal matters (including the interpretation of legislation) to the Council, senior officers of the Council and other bodies, and to draft reports for Council and its Committees.
  • Provide accurate and timely professional legal advice on matters relating to the functions and exercise of the powers and duties of Councils including the interpretation of legislation and the requirements of administrative law to the Council, its Committees and officers of the Council and to draft reports and attend and report before the Council Committees as required.
  • Provide advice, guidance and direction on areas of corporate legal risk, i.e. Governance, Procurement, Information governance, Equality, Arc 21, Finance and other legacy council issues.
  • Provide advice and direction to the Chief Executive in relation to the Local Government Act (NI) 2014, particularly in relation to Call In, Notice of Motion and Standing Orders.
  • Be responsible for the drafting and setting and or reviewing of contracts and Service Level Agreements including in particular Service Level Agreements devised by predecessor Councils as may be required.
  • Lead responsibility for conveyancing matters for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
  • Advise, draft and institute proceedings in relation to the recovery of debts and provide advice to debt recovery staff.
  • Carryout all the foregoing duties in a proactive manner and complying with all relevant time limits and Rules of Court.
  • Provide such advice on legal matters to officers and members of the Council and other bodies as required.
  • Liaise and negotiate as required with officers of the Council and other bodies at all levels internally and externally, Junior and Senior Counsel, solicitors, court officials, consultants and experts, government departments, insurers and statutory agencies as necessary in connection with the foregoing duties.
  • Responsible for the issue and management of work to legacy Council Town Solicitor and Planning Solicitors.
  • Responsible for the defence and negotiation of public liability and employer’s liability claims in the High Court and County Court.
  • Provide legal advice and support in respect of judicial review proceedings.
  • Conduct advocacy as required in tribunals, Small Claims Court Magistrates’ Court, County Court and High Court.
  • Be responsible for legal advice given to Planning Committee and provide legal advice to Planning Dept as and when required.
  • Attend all Planning Committee meetings and pre-meetings to fulfil the role as required under the Planning Protocol in the provision of legal advice.
  • Develop, implement and deliver a Legal Services Strategy in line with the standards required by the Courts and Law Society.
  • Ensure that key Council procedures and relevant policies in relation to legal services are properly established, maintained, communicated and that arrangements are in place to ensure compliance with these policies.

Performance Improvement
Ensure the Council’s performance management framework is consistently implemented and provide advice, support and guidance to staff on personal development requirements, initiating further training where appropriate as well as setting annual performance improvement objectives at departmental and individual level.

Financial and Resource Management
Ensure efficient and effective financial management by contributing to the development of and working within agreed budgets and finances to deliver service priorities and by ensuring that these budgets are effectively managed, implemented and adhered to across the department.

People Management
Provide clear leadership to staff to ensure the provision of high-quality services.

This Job Description is not exhaustive of the full duties.

About you
Essential:
Applicants must be solicitors entitled to practice in Northern Ireland.

Applicants must possess an academic qualification equivalent to at least a Second-Class Honours Degree.

Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years post qualification experience as a Solicitor with the ability to demonstrate the following:

• Experience in contract law with successful and tangible outcomes
• A track record of legal advice provided which has mitigated risk
• Experience dealing with a complex range of issues providing concise and clear position reports
• A sound working knowledge of the Local Government Ac (NI) 2014, particularly in relation to Call In, Notice of Motion and Standing Orders.

Experience in effectively managing a staff team

Desirable:

• Experience of working within a Local Authority Environment.

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To apply today contact Leanne Garrett in the strictest confidence.