Job title: Principal Legal Officer (Anti-Social Behaviour litigator)

Salary: PO4 £46,142 - £49,282

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Civic Hall Leeds.

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 ASB legal team is highly regarded in the region, local courts and WY Police.

We are looking for a qualified lawyer with experience in, or knowledge of ASB law and litigation, who will be required to undertake a substantial personal caseload of contentious and non-contentious legal professional work in Anti-Social Behaviour law.

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 find solutions for unique anti-social behaviour cases and bring respite to those effected;
An objective mindset ensuring that a “One Council” approach is maintained;
the ability to be the advocate in applications appropriate to your grade in the County Court and 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 and Safer Leeds Strategy to combat ASB across the city. In doing this role you will make a real difference to the people of Leeds who have been blighted by anti-social behaviour.

You will advise on a wide range of ASB and Housing Possession 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 with a barrister.

As part of a small team, you will work closely with a more senior advocate dedicated to ASB casework also. The role has the opportunity for promotion for the right candidate.

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

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

Interviews will take place in May/June.

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 post is funded specifically to carry out legal work on Anti-social Behaviour cases brought by the Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team (LASBT). The post is a junior qualified post within the section. The section in which the post sits covers the following areas of work: Anti-Social Behaviour, Prosecutions, Licensing, Employment, Education, and Adult Social Care. 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 Leeds Ambitions. The post holder would be expected to deal with advice and contested hearings, with more complex advice and advocacy being dealt with by higher graded officers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal professional work primarily in Anti-Social Behaviour law. The post holder will be expected to have this area of work as a focus but also to provide support on other areas of law as required, and any other local government legal matters and /or matters dealt with by Legal Services.
To give legal advice and draft legal documentation
Contribute directly to the generation of external income and work flexibly across the Service as and when required.
Undertake a substantial personal caseload of legal matters in one or more areas as set out above
Draft and issue court and other documentation as necessary including instructions to counsel.
Conduct preparatory work as necessary to ensure effective presentation of cases to court and provide advice/updates as to the progression of cases and the value of particular strategies
Attend court with counsel as instructing representative if required
Undertake advocacy on cases where appropriate including contested hearings.
Work flexibly to support other staff across the Service and as part of a team to cover court, tribunal/inquiries/appeals commitments and other work as required.
Provide advice to clients both orally and in writing.
To provide and develop high quality legal services for clients
Maintain an awareness of all legislative and case law developments which might impact on the work of clients and advise them as appropriate.
Prepare and deliver training for clients and colleagues with regard to law and practice relating to their functions and work.
Contribute directly to the generation of external income.
Meet all professional requirements, for example and as appropriate, the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) competence framework in relation to personal development and SRA Standards and Regulations.
Undertake work for other authorities under partnership and/or other arrangements
Attend meetings and courts outside the boundaries of Leeds City Council as required
Carry out such other duties within Legal Services and the Council, and for other clients as required commensurate with the grade
Be 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, money laundering, 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. (FCILEX will need to hold a Grant of Rights of Audience or a Legal Executive Advocate Certificate)

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, Test, and Interview

Skills

Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Plan and organise own workload, with minimum supervision, and to strict deadlines
Act as an advocate on behalf of the Council including dealing with contested hearings
Work and communicate effectively as a member of a team.
Establish productive relationships with people and organisations at different levels inside and outside the Council
Grasp and assimilate new information quickly
Resolve a wide range of legal problems in a local government context
Draft and prepare clear and concise documents, procedures, guidance notes, reports, statements, letters and memoranda.
Carry out effective legal research
Contribute directly to generate external income
Work flexibly across the Service as required
Professional approach and presentation
A willingness to work flexibly beyond normal office hours

Knowledge

Of the law and practice relating to Anti-Social Behaviour law
Awareness of the sensitive and confidential nature of the work

Experience

Of managing and dealing with a personal caseload
Of advocacy e.g. courts including experience in dealing with contested hearings, as appropriate
Of providing advice to clients
Of assisting others in providing training, preferably legal training

Essential Behavioural and 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