3 Month Contract With A local Authority

Provide high-quality legal advice, representation, and support to the County Council, ensuring it carries out its statutory functions lawfully and effectively. Manage a varied and complex caseload, deliver practical legal solutions with minimal supervision, undertake advocacy where required, and support the delivery of an efficient, flexible, and customer-focused legal service.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice and representation to the County Council, elected members, officers, and committees.
  
• Manage a diverse and complex caseload across a range of legal matters, delivering timely and effective legal solutions.
  
• Conduct advocacy and represent the Council in legal proceedings where required.
  
• Support Monitoring Officers by advising on matters of legality and procedural compliance.
  
• Draft, review, and negotiate legal documents, reports, and other documentation.
  
• Maintain accurate case records using electronic case management systems in line with Lexcel standards.
  
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of legal processes and service delivery.
  
• Support the management and supervision of lawyers and legal staff, including deputising for the Principal Lawyer when required.
  
• Deliver legal training and guidance to Council officers and partner organisations.
  
• Manage external legal spend responsibly and contribute to budget awareness.
  
• Work collaboratively with internal departments, external partners, and stakeholders to achieve positive legal outcomes.
  
• Attend meetings, hearings, and court proceedings, including outside normal working hours where required.
  

Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of CILEX eligible to practise in England and Wales with a current practising certificate.
  
• Experience managing a complex legal caseload and providing high-quality legal advice.
  
• Advocacy experience or a demonstrated aptitude for advocacy.
  
• Strong knowledge of public sector or local government legal practice is desirable.
  
• Excellent written, verbal, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
  
• Ability to analyse complex legal issues and provide practical, solution-focused advice.
  
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities independently.
  
• Experience supporting or supervising colleagues is advantageous.
  
• Proficient in using electronic case management and legal IT systems.
  

Additional Information

• Hours: Full-time
  
• Location: Surrey County Council (Hybrid / Flexible working office attendance and travel to meetings, hearings, and court proceedings as required)
  
• Payment: Bi-weekly