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
