Lawyer

About This Role

The Lawyer provides comprehensive legal advice to Council departments and external clients, handling complex and sensitive cases. This full-time permanent position involves advising on legal matters that may be high-profile and often confidential.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing strategies and plans for implementing new legislation by advising the Council on legal obligations and implementation timescales
• Work under supervision to formulate plans for revised systems and structures to respond within timescales
• Prepare, advise on, and contribute to reports for committees with a legal dimension to ensure compliance with relevant law and Council policies
• Check the legality and accuracy of new Council policy and committee minutes
• Negotiate, draft, prepare, review, and agree standard legal documents, including thresholds, court documents, and statements
• Provide oral and written legal advice and assistance to officers, departments, and external bodies, sometimes urgently with little time for research
• Undertake the preparation of legal proceedings and present less complex cases on behalf of the Council in courts, public inquiries, or other tribunals
• Be responsible for less complex cases run on behalf of the Council and advice given under the guidance of experienced staff, where decisions can have far-reaching effects on vulnerable people, children, families, employees, housing tenants, and those subjected to antisocial behaviour
• Work in a way that minimises personal risk and ensures the safety of self and other team members when dealing with violent and abusive clients (e.g., during evictions or child removals)
• Instruct experts and Barristers as appropriate, obtain approval, and negotiate their fees
• Assist as instructed in the supervision and management of work carried out by Legal Officers and Assistant Legal Officers, providing assistance on points of law and procedure
• Assist the Head of Legal Services by undertaking legal work and other directed tasks
• Be proactive in providing support to the Head of Legal Services and the Council
• Provide support to Team Leaders
• Work with other staff in dealing with routine casework and as part of a project team on collaborative cases
• Ensure compliance with all managerial requirements and quality standards
• Participate in the corporate workings of the Council by taking part in inter-service groups and working parties
• Develop an understanding of local government affairs generally and current issues of Kingston upon Hull City Council
• Support the Head of Legal Services, other Senior Officers, and Team Leaders in their roles
• Assist in the preparation, prepare, and deliver in-house legal training and development for colleagues, other Council departments, and members of the Council

Benefits

• An excellent pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Initially 23 days annual leave depending on length of service, plus eight public holidays per year, and three additional days off (one in May/August and one during the Christmas/New Year period)
• Career development and learning experiences from a range of training courses and learning methods
• Supportive and forward-thinking culture
• Great career development opportunities

Important Details

• Proposed Interview Date: Monday, December 7, 2026
• Hours of Work: 37
• Hiring Manager: Paul Thompson
• Contract: Permanent
• Application deadline: December 6, 2026, midnight

Application Process

• Interviews will take place week commencing December 7, 2026
• Ensure your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria against the person specification as listed in the job description

About the Company

Hull City Council is committed to increasing diversity, equality, and inclusion within its workforce to represent the people it serves and build an environment where everyone can feel like they belong.