Job title: Legal Officer

Salary: C3 £33,119 - £34,811 (pro rata)

Hours: 25 per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Civic Hall

Leeds City Council is a progressive authority which works closely with local communities and businesses to create a vibrant and economically thriving city.

We are looking to recruit a part-time legal officer to work in our General Property team within the Legal Services department. Legal Services is a Lexcel accredited in-house legal team, and as well as being able to offer outstanding work Legal Services can offer exceptional support and resources.

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

It is essential that the successful candidate has good interpersonal skills, can prioritise their own workload and work to tight deadlines. They must be able to work as part of a team and be flexible, enthusiastic, and committed. The successful candidate will also ideally demonstrate at least 12 months' experience of working in a legal environment within the last 5 years.

About the role

The post holder will be required to provide high quality legal work on matters relating to right to buy property sales, residential property acquisitions, highways adoption agreements, other property transactions, and provide legal advice on general property matters.

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. 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 Rory Crawford, Deputy Team Leader – General Property. Call 0113 37 81572 or email rory.crawford@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 to undertake legal work for and on behalf of the Property and Development Section, including where appropriate, advocacy and preparation for hearings. Some clerical duties may also be required.

To carry out legal work primarily within the team and section named above but the post holder could be required to carry out work within other teams or sections in Legal Services.

Responsibilities

To give written and oral advice as appropriate.
To assist Officers in Legal Services with legal work
Drafting documents - including drafting, issuing and serving Court documents.
To undertake legal research.
Maintaining and operating computerised systems.
Dealing with enquiries/correspondence from external solicitors, the court and other agencies.
Preparing cases for hearing in Courts, including drafting letters, taking witness statements, collating and redacting evidence, arranging for the attendance of witnesses at Court and preparing Instructions to Counsel.
Attendance at Courts with Counsel.
Post-Court work to inform Clients of outcomes.
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

2 A-levels (grade A-C), or paralegal qualification (e.g., affiliate member of CILEX with 5 level 3 units) or equivalent qualification;

OR, 4 GCSEs (grade A-C) and 12 months experience of working within a legal environment within the last 5 years.

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.

To draft and prepare clear and concise reports, letters and memoranda.
To relate effectively to people at different levels inside and outside the Council.
To work and communicate effectively as a member of a team.
To prioritise and organise workload.
To possess or have the ability to develop IT skills.
To work within time constraints.
To work with minimum supervision within a supportive environment.
To grasp and assimilate new information quickly.
To deal sensitively with situations involving people who are experiencing distress or personal or other difficulties.
To adopt a flexible approach.
To express concepts and ideas clearly.
To negotiate with external organisations (including legal and other professional representatives and Court Officers).
Knowledge of office procedures and practice
Experience of using IT systems such as Windows (Word, Excel, Databases).
Experience of organising and planning own work with minimum supervision.
Experience of dealing with enquiries and correspondence from a wide range of people.
Experience of working as a member of a team.

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 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.

Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
Knowledge of law and practice relating to Local Government.
Knowledge of law and practice relating to Social Services.
Experience of working in a legal office.
Experience of working for a Local Authority.
Experience of general property law.