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SalaryTorbay is breathtaking, captivating, and welcoming, occupying a prime position on the south coast of Devon. Currently experiencing unprecedented levels of investment and the council's own ambitious transformation programme have given Torbay the opportunity to capitalise on the area's profile and many assets.
As a small unitary authority, you'll discover Torbay is a place where you can make things happen quickly. We have real momentum building, fuelled by a shared sense of purpose and ambition - which is clearly evident by our recent success in being awarded the 'Most Improved Council' at LGC Awards in 2023. We want Torbay and its residents to thrive and are committed to making a difference in our community, delivering high quality services to local people.
To complement this journey, we are seeking a Senior Solicitor/Lawyer (Property), to join our Legal Services Team to handle a case load consisting asset management inclusive of licences to assign, underlet and alter, as well as sales and acquisitions and the preparation and negotiation of leases, along with other commercial property transactions, in order to support the wider property team.
Undertaking the role of a Senior Lawyer (Property), you will have had experience of working within the specialist area of commercial property and have a detailed knowledge of local government practices within the specialist discipline, and if possible have litigation experience in this field (in particular advising on the termination of leases, evicting tenants, recovering rent arrears and litigating disputed lease renewals). You will also be admitted and be practicing as a Solicitor, Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (or equivalent), with at least 3 years post qualification experience.
The ideal candidate will be excited by a fast-paced and varied caseload, conscientious, professionally curious and a role model to other team members. In return, you will join a supportive and rewarding organisation and team, whereby your talent will be valued and actively developed. At Torbay Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from our people, and we are excited for you to join us.
We also prioritise wellbeing and have a flexible approach to work life balance. We know that life doesn't revolve around work. We have a set of family friendly policies to support you that all provide more than the statutory minimum. We offer hybrid working which is managed effectively around the need to attend essential meetings and/or make court appearances in line with the remit of the role.
This role offers an exciting opportunity to work for an employer that is in a great period of change and sees legal services as not simply a support function, but an enabler in the pursuit of their ambitious transformation journey.
In return we offer:
- A generous salary (to include market supplement).
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service (pro rata in the case of part time employees).
- A Career Average Re-Valued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme through Peninsula Pensions.
- Flexible working.
- Paid professional subscription.
- Learning and development opportunities.
- A supportive management and team structure.
- Family friendly policies.
- Key skills relocation package.
- Golden Hello opportunity.
- A wide range of lifestyle discounts and health and wellbeing benefits.
The salary includes an amount for a market supplement of GBP8000 per year. This market supplement is reviewed annually.
For an informal chat please contact Claire Kitchener on or or Philip Taylor on .
1. Key purpose of job
- To provide specialist legal advice, representation and assistance to the Council's commercial property and estates functions (with elements of some other areas of local government law, such as highways), in a format and within a timescale which assists them in conducting their business in the most efficient and effective matter.
- The delivery of high quality efficient and effective legal advice and services to the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics, in a way that furthers and promotes excellent customer care within Legal Services.
- To undertake all legal work as required, with minimal supervision and professional support.
- To undertake case work and provide advice within the specialist areas of law - commercial property and estates (with elements of some other areas of local government law, such as highways).
- To provide legal advice and services in relation to other areas of local government law, as required by the Team Leader or Head of Legal Services.
- To consider, prepare and conduct (including advocacy) matters in the Magistrates' Court, Crown Court, County Court and High Court and in all other tribunals or hearings of whatever description, on behalf of the Council.
- To attend quasi-judicial bodies as legal advisor, including Council Committee meetings.
- To provide training as required to client departments.
- To be knowledgeable and up to date on the law, practice, and current issues within the specialist areas of law upon which the post holder advises on.
- To be knowledgeable and up to date on the general law relating to local government, including freedom of information and data protection.
- As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children's Services.
- None.
- The post-holder is required to provide informal support and supervision to junior members of the team and its Business Support Officers.
- The post holder may allocate work to Legal Officers and assist the Team Leader in quality assuring the work of these officers.
- The post holder operates in an environment governed by the need to meet deadlines (including those externally imposed) in a context of continually changing priorities and where the work is usually of a complex and/or sensitive nature.
- The post holder is required to be able to travel to site visits, Court hearings and meetings.
- The post-holder may occasionally experience verbal abuse and aggression during the course of their duties. Policies are in place to mitigate the frequency and extent to which these will affect the post-holder.
- The post holder may occasionally be required to handle heavy documentation, e.g., deed parcels. Court bundles and public enquiry files offsite with appropriate manual handling equipment provided to enable safe working.
- The post holder will have access to a laptop computer and other agile working equipment.
- The post holder is required to ensure the security of confidential and sensitive information when transporting and using files and laptops when homeworking, travelling and working away from the office.
- External:
- Contact with service users, other local authorities, partners and external bodies, Government Departments, other professionals (legal and others), courts and tribunals.
- Contact with members of the public.
- Internal:
- Contact with officers at all levels within the Council. Frequent contacts with Senior Officers. Contact with Members on specific case matters, including giving advice on courses of action and their legal risks and ramifications.
- The post holder will represent the Council and be responsible for influencing and negotiating with others on contentious matters in circumstances where the relationships between contacts and the matters in question will usually be complex and may involve difficult situations requiring tact and sensitivity. The post holder will be responsible for advocating on behalf of the Council generally including, where appropriate, formal advocacy before Courts and Tribunals.
- To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.
- All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
- The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager . click apply for full job details
