Legal Locum

Working on behalf of a Local Authority, Aatom Recruitment has an excellent opportunity for a Legal Locum on a 3 months contract with a possibility of an extension.

Main purpose of post

To provide Council departments and external clients with comprehensive legal advice and to advise upon complex and sensitive child protection and adult social care cases.

To advise on legal matters which are complex and may have a high profile. These are often highly confidential and sensitive.

Responsibilities

• To prepare, advise on and contribute to reports for committees, which have a complex legal dimension to ensure compliance with relevant law and Council’s policies and to check the legality and accuracy of new Council policy and committee minutes.
• To negotiate, draft, prepare, review and agree as necessary, complex legal documents, including thresholds, court documents and statements. Clients can be service departments and a range of outside authorities, bodies and organisations.
• To provide oral and written legal advice and assistance to members, committees, Council companies, outside bodies, working parties, officers and departments. Often the advice is required urgently with little or no time for research.
• To undertake the preparation of complex legal proceedings and present cases on behalf fo the Council in the courts, public inquiries or other tribunals to achieve the best outcome for the client in the circumstances. To be responsible for more complex cases run on behalf of the Council and advice given, where decisions taken upon the advice given can have far-reaching effects. This work has an impact on the lives of vulnerable people, children and their families, employees, housing tenants and those who have been subjected to antisocial behaviour. To work in a way that minimises the personal risk and ensures the safety of him/herself and other team members when dealing with violent and abusive clients – for example, when evictions take place or when children are removed from parental or others’ care.To instruct experts and Barristers in complex matters as appropriate and to obtain approval and negotiate their fees (to include meeting with various Barristers chambers to agree service level agreements).
• To participate in recruitment and selection of competent junior staff to perform the duties required within the team. Jointly supervise and manage work carried out by Legal Officers and Assistant Legal Officers, providing guidance and assistance on points of law and procedure relevant to their workload
• To assist the Legal Services Manager by undertaking legal work, producing legal guidelines and other legal tasks as directed. To be proactive in providing support to him/her and the Council. To provide support to the Social Care Team Leader.
• To lead mentor and support Lawyers and other staff dealing with routine casework, provide guidance and support to legal staff working at lower levels and delegate work as part of a project team when working collaboratively on cases. To ensure compliance with all managerial requirements and quality standards

Skills/Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent level of experience
• Specific qualification requirement : The post holder must be a qualified Barrister, Solicitor or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and/or membership of professional body
• Experience of delivering, monitoring and planning services at an
• operational level
• Experience of undertaking Change Management, planning and implementing new ways of working
• Experience of successfully managing activity and performance targets
• Ability to build and maintain effective teams
• Ability to manage effective budgets/resources and enforce proper financial controls, showing sound business judgement
• Experience of drafting and dealing with complex children and adult cases
• Experience of drafting and dealing with complex court documents
• Experience of appearing at Court
• Experience of delivering complex legal issues before judges or magistrates
• Experience of attending meetings with Members or Senior Officers within a Local Authority
• Possesses specialist skills and well-developed knowledge to provide in-depth support to a technical or operational service

To get more information about this role and how to apply please contact Anisha 07876556434.