Job title: Principal Legal Officer (Prosecutor)

Salary: PO6 £51,356 - £54,495

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Civic Hall

Leeds City Council is a progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses and partner agencies to create a vibrant and economically thriving city. Our Prosecution legal team is highly regarded in the region, dealing with matters as diverse as littering and school attendance though to Environmental offences, Planning breaches, Fraud and Health and Safety prosecutions.

We are looking for a qualified lawyer with experience in the criminal law and Prosecutions, who will be required to undertake a substantial personal caseload of contentious and non-contentious legal professional work arising from local authority enforcement matters.

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:

An enthusiasm to work with partner agencies to advise and bring prosecutions in line with the Prosecutors Code;
An objective mindset ensuring that a “One Council” approach is maintained;
the ability to be the advocate in the Magistrates Court;
a “can do” attitude and the ability to work as part of a team, be flexible, enthusiastic and committed to supporting the work of the wider Legal Service.

About the role

The role is integral to the Council’s ambitions for a better city and in particular to combat Environmental crime such as fly tipping across the city. In doing this role you will make a real difference to the people of Leeds who have been blighted by criminal behaviour.

You will advise on a wide range of Prosecution and enforcement matters, working closely with council colleagues and third parties to find pragmatic and innovative solutions to issues; and make the case in a courtroom as an advocate or in the Crown Court with a barrister.

As part of a small team, you will work closely with other team members and support non-qualified staff.

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; and
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

How to apply

Upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Richard des Forges, Team Leader by calling 0113 3789073 or email Richard.desforges@leeds.gov.uk

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, 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, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: The section covers the following areas of work: Advise on procedural, policy, Legal, Offence interpretation and evidential matters; provide training to enforcement teams and Legal colleagues; objectively review prosecution packs received in accordance with CrimPR and Prosecutors Code; case manage and be an advocate in the Magistrates Court; assist Counsel in Crown Court or Court of Appeal matters. The postholder will 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.

Responsibilities:

Undertake a substantial personal caseload of complex legal professional work, primarily Prosecution legal work. The post holder will be expected to provide support in at least one other area of law covered by the section, and any other local government legal matters as required.
Support the generation of external income in the section and across the service and take an active role in coaching and mentoring staff within the section and service.
Undertake a substantial complex personal caseload of Prosecution legal work and other areas covered by the section as required.
Represent council colleagues and other clients in proceedings in tribunals, the Magistrates Court and (subject to rights of audience) Higher Courts, including in relation to contested proceedings.
Conduct investigatory and preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to Court and advise as to the progression of cases and the value of particular strategies.
Draft and issue court proceedings and other documentation such as instructions to counsel as necessary.
To draft legal documentation, agreements and advice.
Foster and deliver a “can do” attitude with regard to all aspects of the role, including advising and supporting colleagues, clients and members; contributing to change; and increasing external income generation.
Establish, develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of internal colleagues, external stakeholders and parties including Members, directors and senior officers to improve and enhance service delivery.
Maintain an awareness of all legislative and case law developments which might impact on the work of colleagues and clients and advise them as appropriate
Provide legal advice and support to committees and advice to clients both orally and in writing, in relation to complex matters.
Work flexibly as part of a team to cover court and tribunal commitments and other work as required
Meet all professional requirements, for example and as appropriate the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) competency framework in relation to personal development and SRA Standards and Regulations
Support other staff within the section and service as required including providing training to colleagues and clients
Perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the following:
The council’s policies and codes of practice
The council’s constitution
Legal Services’ standards, objectives, targets and timescales
Legal Services’ Lexcel procedures
Attend meetings, tribunals, inquiries/appeals and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council and outside your normal working hours as required
Carry out such other duties within Legal Services and the Council, and for other clients as required commensurate with the grade as required
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
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 FCILEX with a Legal Executive Advocate Certificate (Criminal Proceedings).

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills Required

Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate. 
Able to plan and organise own workload with minimum supervision, to strict deadlines
Able to act as an advocate on behalf of the council including dealing with complex contested hearings
Able to communicate effectively and establish productive relationships with people and organisations at different levels inside and outside the council
Able to recognise and build on opportunities to develop external legal work for the service and 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 anticipate changes needed to meet organisational objectives and identify strategies to overcome difficulties.
Able to carry out effective legal research

Knowledge Required

Of the law and practice relating to Prosecutions
Of law and practice relating to local government
Awareness of the sensitive and confidential nature of the work

Experience Required

Of managing and dealing with a substantial complex personal caseload.
Of providing advice to clients on complex matters
Of working as an effective member of a team
Of advocacy (where relevant) including experience in dealing with complex cases

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 Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures
Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity 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
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters