Legal Adviser

MCS Group is proud to be partnering with the Northern Ireland Assembly in their search for three Legal Advisers to join their team for up to 12 months.

The role:

The role of a Legal Adviser is that of in-house counsel. The successful applicant will:

• Provide appropriately-researched, sound and timely legal advice to the following clients:
  • The Speaker, on the legislative competence of legislation under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, public law issues in parliamentary procedure and the interpretation of standing orders;
  • Assembly committees, on legislative scrutiny, their statutory and other functions, parliamentary privilege, compliance with Standing Orders and the conduct of committee inquiries;
  • The Assembly Commission in relation to any legal issues arising in connection with the discharge of its functions; and
  • Corporate clients at a senior level, on public law, contract law, information law, and Members’ expenditure.
  • Legal advice to the Director of Legal, Governance and Research Services and the Head of Legal Services.
  • Deliver legal advice which supports Members in the development of legislative proposals.
  • Draft legal and statutory documents including standing orders, administrative determinations, and contracts.
  • Provide advice on emerging legal issues such as the Windsor Framework
  • Conduct legal research including the use of electronic and other resources to provide authoritative advice on unfamiliar areas of law at short notice.
  • Maintain membership of the relevant professional body (the Bar of Northern Ireland or the Law Society of Northern Ireland) and act in accordance with their professional code of conduct in the discharge of their duties.
  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with colleagues and political actors in the Assembly and colleagues in other legislatures.
  • Comply with the Assembly Commission’s staff policies and procedures including the Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work policies.
  • Manage information and records in accordance with established policies and statutory requirements.
  • Carry out such other duties as the Assembly Commission may reasonably require.

The Person

As the successful candidate, you will meet the following criteria:

Hold a first or bachelor’s degree of minimum 2.1 classification (or equivalent) and be a barrister or solicitor who is entitled to practice in Northern Ireland, and have at least 3 years’ post-qualification experience (‘PQE’) in law to include evidence of the following:

• interpreting legislation and legal documents;
• demonstrating legal analytical ability and sound judgement in the resolution of complex legal problems and the effective management of legal risk; and
• communicating with clients on complex legal issues with clarity and confidence.

AND provide evidence within their application form of:

• a knowledge of constitutional, administrative and human rights law in Northern Ireland; and
• a knowledge of the role of the Assembly in the political and institutional relationships in Northern Ireland.

The Rewards:
As the successful applicant, you will receive the following:

• £65,051 per annum
• Excellent annual leave allowance
• Hybrid working arrangement
• You will be joining a warm, friendly team environment