Legal Officer - Req24745

Job title: Legal Officer (C3) – Claims Litigation Team ​

Salary: £29,777 to £31,364 pro rata

Hours: Part time, 30hrs per week (0.8% FTE)

Contract: Permanent     

Location: Civic Hall/Hybrid

We are looking for a Legal Officer to join the Claims Litigation team.  The team investigates and handles litigated claims against the Council for personal injury, property damage and other losses, and provides legal advice on a range of liability issues.  The benefits of this post include varied work, a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement, training and development, and flexible working, including working from home.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Legal Officer you will bring to the role:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• A proven ability to prioritise and organise your own workload and complete work within deadlines.
• IT skills including experience of Windows, Word, Excel and other applications.
• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team.
• Professional approach and presentation and a commitment to personal development.
• Knowledge and experience of court proceedings and litigation is desirable but not essential for this role.  For further details of the skills, knowledge and experience we are looking for, please see the Person Specification.

​About the role

This is an opportunity to take responsibility for a varied and interesting caseload, protecting the interests of Leeds residents and supporting and contributing to the policies and decision making which shapes the future of the City.

As our next Legal Officer you will have the opportunity to develop your skills, knowledge and experience, with the support of an excellent team of colleagues.

​You will undertake a personal case load of litigated and un-litigated claims, including providing legal advice, drafting court documents and other documentation, preparing cases for hearing in court, attending court hearings and liaising with internal and external parties.

​What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements, subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

​How to apply

Apply for this job online. Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.

​Your CV and personal statement together should demonstrate how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience requirements of the role as set out in the Person Specification.

​Read our guidance and the job description and person specification for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

​If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Jamie Comer, Team Leader, on 0113 3789070 or email Jamie.Comer@leeds.gov.uk.

​We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

​We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

​All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
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This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job purpose: To provide high quality professional legal advice, assistance and representation in respect of Court proceedings issued against the Council and to assist in the effective and efficient running of the Claims Litigation Team and Civil Litigation & Housing section.

To carry out legal work primarily within the team and section named above but the post holder could be required to carry out work within other teams or sections in Legal Services.

Responsibilities 

• To give written and oral advice as appropriate.
• To assist Officers in Legal Services with legal work.
• Drafting documents - including drafting, issuing and serving Court documents.
• Preparing cases for hearing in Courts and Tribunals, including drafting letters, taking witness statements, collating and redacting evidence, arranging for the attendance of witnesses at Court and preparing Instructions to Counsel.
• Attendance at Courts with Counsel.
• To undertake legal research.
• Post-Court work to inform Clients of outcomes.
• Maintaining and operating computerised systems.
• Dealing with enquiries/correspondence from external solicitors, members of the public, other Council services, Courts and other agencies.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

• 2 A-levels (grade A-C), or paralegal qualification (e.g., affiliate member of CILEX with 5 level 3 units) or equivalent qualification;
• OR, 4 GCSEs (grade A-C) and 12 months experience of working within a legal environment within the last 5 years.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• To prioritise and organise own workload.
• To work within time constraints and meet strict deadlines.
• To establish effective relationships with people at different levels inside and outside the Council, e.g. external Solicitors, members of the public, and other Council officers.
• To possess IT skills.
• To grasp and assimilate new information quickly.
• To work with minimum supervision within a supportive environment.
• To draft and prepare clear and concise documents, letters, memoranda and Court documents.
• To express concepts and ideas clearly.
• To adopt a flexible approach.
• Awareness of the sensitive and confidential nature of the work.
• A professional approach and presentation.
• Experience of using IT systems such as Windows (Word, Excel, Databases).
• Experience of organising and planning own work with minimum supervision.
• Experience of dealing with enquiries and correspondence from a wide range of people.
• Experience of working as a member of a team.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics 

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities. 
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. 
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council. 
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates. 

• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems and client care.
• Knowledge of law and practice relating to civil litigation, personal injury, property damage and/or other areas of local government law.
• Experience of legal research.
• Experience of drafting documents and preparing cases for Courts or Tribunals – for example preparation of witness statements.
• Experience of giving legal advice in writing and orally