Principal Legal Officer (Solicitor/Barrister/Cilex Lawyer) - Req24484

As a Principal Legal Officer you will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or Cilex lawyer (with Legal Executive Advocate Certificate (Family Proceedings) with a passion for children’s social care law and protecting the most vulnerable members of our city.

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 Principal Legal Officer you will bring to the role:

• Knowledge and experience of children’s social care law
• Advocacy skills to represent the local authority in different levels of tribunal
• Advise on complex issues
• Work flexibly as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills

About the role 

This is an opportunity to protect and safeguard the most vulnerable members of the city, whilst contributing to the policies and decision making about this complex and interesting area of law.

As our next Principal Legal Officer (PO4 or PO6) you will have the opportunity to develop your skills, knowledge and experience, with the support of an excellent team of colleagues.  Including team managers, other lawyers, senior and Legal Officers, and legal assistants. 

The role is integral to our Social Care, Legal Section which supports and advises an Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ Childrens and Families department, on a range of social care matters including safeguarding, private law, adoption, forced marriage, and deprivation of liberty.  The section consists of over 30 colleagues with a wealth of knowledge and experience and a commitment to providing the very best service.

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.

Read our guidance 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 Rebecca Roberts, Section Head.  Call 0113 3789134 or email rebecca.roberts@leeds.gov.uk 

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

Job Purpose:

To provide a high quality, value for money legal service, which actively supports the delivery of the Council’s strategic objectives as set out in the Best Council Plan.

To undertake a substantial complex personal caseload of legal professional work in the area of Children’s Social Care. The post holder will be expected to have this area of work as a focus but also to provide support on at least one other area of law as required, and any other local government legal matters and /or matters dealt with by Legal Services.

The post holder would be expected to deal with complex advice and complex contested hearings. They would be expected to attend committee/board meetings and members briefings as requested to advise. 

To contribute directly to the generation of external income and work flexibly across the Service as and when required. 

Responsibilities:

• To undertake a substantial personal caseload of complex legal matters in one or more areas set out above in “Purpose of the job”.
• To draft and issue court proceedings and other documentation as necessary.
• To conduct investigatory and preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to court/tribunals/inquiries/appeals.
• To draft instructions to Counsel. To attend court/tribunals/inquiries/ appeals with Counsel as instructing representative if required. 
• To undertake advocacy and represent the Council and other clients in proceedings/tribunals/court, inquiries/appeals and (subject to rights of audience) Higher Courts, including in relation to complex contested proceedings. 
• To advise/update as to the progression of cases and the value of particular strategies.
• To work flexibly as part of a team to cover court/tribunal/inquiry commitments and other work as required.
• To advise clients both orally and in writing, including in relation to complex matters.
• To provide legal advice and support to committees/board meetings, member briefings etc.
• To maintain an awareness of all legislative and case law developments which might impact on the work of clients and advise them as appropriate.
• To provide training for clients, colleagues and members with regard to law and practice. 
• To establish, develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of internal colleagues and external stakeholders and parties including members, directors and senior officers to improve and enhance service delivery.
• To support other staff within the Section and Service as required including taking an active role in coaching and mentoring staff.
• To contribute directly to the generation of external income.
• To work flexibly across the Service as and when required.
• To take personal responsibility under and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
• Willing to abide by the Council’s Equality and Diversity policy in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the Council.
• To perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the Council’s Policies.
• To foster and deliver a “can do “attitude with regard to all aspects of the role, including advising and supporting colleagues, clients and members and contributing to change. 
• To meet all professional requirements, for example and if appropriate, the SRA competency framework in relation personal development.
• To carry out such other duties within Legal Services and the Council, and for other clients as, from time to time, may be reasonably required, which are commensurate with the grade, experience, training and level of responsibility within the Council at your initial place of work or from any other of the Council's establishments or any other suitable place of work identified by the Council. You may be required to attend meetings, tribunals, inquiries/appeals and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council.
• To undertake work for other authorities under partnership and/or other arrangements.
• 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 

Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a practising certificate or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (and hold a Legal Executive Advocate Certificate (Family Proceedings).

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.

• Able to plan and organise own workload, with minimum supervision, and to strict deadlines.
• Able to act as an advocate on behalf of the Council including dealing with complex contested hearings, as appropriate.
• Able to work and communicate effectively as member of a team.
• Able to establish productive relationships with people and organisations at different levels inside and outside the Council.
• Able to grasp and assimilate new information quickly.
• Able to resolve a wide range of complex legal problems in a local government context.
• Able to draft and prepare clear and concise documents, procedures, guidance notes, reports, statements, letters and memoranda.
• Able to recognise the implications of policy changes and assist in formulating appropriate responses.
• Able to carry out effective legal research.
• Able to anticipate changes needed to meet organisational objectives and identify strategies to overcome difficulties.
• Able to contribute directly to external income generation.
• Able to work flexibly across the Service as required.
• Solicitor or Barrister entitled to hold a practising certificate or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (and hold a Legal Executive Advocate Certificate (Family Proceedings).
• Considerable knowledge of law and practice relating to Children’s Social Care.
• Knowledge of the law and practice relating to local government.
• Experience of managing and dealing with a substantial and complex personal case load 
• Experience of advocacy including experience in dealing with complex contested hearings, as appropriate to the post. 
• Experience of providing advice to clients on complex matters.
• Experience of working as an effective member of a team.
• Experience of Windows based IT systems.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics 

• A commitment to provide and develop for client’s high quality legal services
• A professional approach and presentation.
• An awareness of the sensitive and confidential nature of the work.
• A willingness to work flexibly beyond normal hours.
• 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

Experience Required

• Experience of advising committees,
• Experience of working to a quality system e.g. Lexcel, ISO or similar.
• Experience of providing legal training.

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