Principal Lawyer - Litigation
- Annual Salary: £75 per hour (PAYE)
- Location: Haywards Heath, West Sussex
- Office attendance required weekly on Wednesdays, 37 Hour Week
- Job Type: Contract (6 months minimum)
We are seeking a Principal Lawyer to join our Legal Services team within the Governance sector. This role is crucial in supporting the Monitoring Officer function and ensuring that all Council decisions are legally robust. The successful candidate will provide expert legal advice across a wide range of council functions and manage complex litigation matters.
Day-to-day of the role:
- Provide legal advice, representation, and assistance across the Council on matters including licensing, environmental health, housing, property litigation, and more.
- Contribute to the delivery of the Legal team's Service Plan and the Council's Corporate Plan.
- Manage the litigation team and paralegals, ensuring high standards of wellbeing and professional development.
- Take day-to-day management responsibility for supporting, developing, coaching, and mentoring staff.
- Manage an ongoing legal caseload with minimal supervision.
- Represent or support the Council at legal proceedings and inquiries.
- Attend statutory and Committee meetings as required, acting as a legal adviser.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Fully qualified and registered/regulated Solicitor, Barrister, or Chartered Legal Executive.
- Extensive knowledge and experience in managing complex matters within a local government context, especially in areas such as environmental health, licensing, and judicial review.
- Proven experience within a local government legal team and attending panels, committees, courts, or tribunals in areas of specialism.
- Proven track record with housing/homelessness work, judicial review, criminal prosecutions, and people management.
- Ability to work in a political environment and alongside elected members.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work on own initiative, prioritise and manage workload within set deadlines.
Benefits:
- Competitive hourly rate.
- Opportunity to contribute to significant projects within the local government.
- Exposure to a variety of legal disciplines within the public sector.
- Flexible working arrangements with required office attendance only once a week.
To apply for the Principal Lawyer position, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in this role to Mark Watts, at Reed. Your Local Legal Recruitment Manager.
Salary range
- £75