Solicitor (Legal)

Solicitor

Location: Kensington Town Hall, W8 7NX

Start Date: ASAP

Contract Duration: 3+ Months

Working Hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 17:00, 37 Hours per week

Pay Rate: £ 30.40 per hour 

Job Ref: (phone number removed)

Responsibilities

Manage a personal caseload of legal matters and provide support to a team of lawyers and internal clients across councils served by the Bi-borough Legal Service.

Develop and maintain efficient administrative systems to ensure compliance with service and corporate processes, focusing on continuous improvement to meet the Lexcel quality standard.

Lead, advise, and draft legal documents related to general and residential property transactions, ensuring compliance with local authority law and practice.

Collaborate with in-house legal colleagues to enhance expertise in residential property matters and deliver comprehensive legal services.

Deliver efficient and cost-effective legal services within a culture of improvement, service excellence, and continuous customer development.

Provide guidance to senior legal management and the Principal Solicitor for effective management of sensitive or high-value transactions.

Negotiate advantageous legal terms with external parties and attend meetings with government departments, other local authorities, and council departments.

Advise on legal implications for reports for the Cabinet, Council Committees, and other meetings as required by the Director of Law, ensuring compliance with procedural requirements.

Instruct Counsel and/or external solicitors in accordance with department protocol.

Maintain proper records for all work undertaken and monitor changes in law and practice, implementing necessary changes and informing client departments.

Identify training needs for team staff and assist with quality management initiatives.

Contribute to team development, foster collaboration, and enhance expertise to benefit clients long-term.

Improve and commission relevant precedents and capture know-how as required.

Undertake responsibilities for any other council or body the authority provides services to.

Perform any other duties commensurate with the role.

Person Specification

Ability to communicate legal issues effectively to clients and colleagues, providing cogent legal advice and options.

Experience handling sensitive issues and navigating situations with political nuances constructively.

Expertise in advising on property due diligence, drafting reports on title, and addressing general property queries.

Experience in property asset transfers, linked transactions, and submission of SDLT returns.

Proficiency in drafting and advising on lease extensions, right to buys, land registry requisitions, and other property-related documents.

Experience in legal transactions such as acquisition and disposal of council property.

Advising on property aspects of subsidy control when identified.

Ability to instruct external lawyers/barristers and manage client relationships, including raising Purchase Orders.

Desirable experience in the legal area of residential property within the UK local government sector.

Desirable experience in providing legal comments and implications in decision-making reports.

Desirable experience in dealing with property litigation matters and awareness of when to involve a litigation expert.

In-depth knowledge and experience of legislation and law relating to property law and practice.

Flexible, logical, and proactive problem-solving attitude.

Computer literacy and effective communication skills, both verbal and written.

Commercial awareness to achieve best value for the council.

Negotiation and persuasion skills to ensure efficient, timely service delivery.

Experience in managing multiple tasks against competing deadlines.

Willingness to take on and learn new matters and areas of law.

Ability to support senior staff on complex matters and collaborate with team members.

Prioritize caseload and self-monitor progress using case management systems.

Foster a positive workplace culture by developing oneself and assisting clients and colleagues.

Desirable knowledge of local government law, particularly decision-making processes.

DISCLAIMER: By applying for this vacancy, you consent to your personal information being shared with our client and any relevant third parties we engage with, for the purpose of assessing your suitability for the role. You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to inform i-Jobs in advance if there are any specific organisations or hirers to whom you do not wish your details to be disclosed