Senior Criminal Litigation Solicitor

Job Description

Senior Lawyer - Criminal Litigation - 3 Month Contract

Local Authority | 3 Month Contract

Location: Swindon

Rate: £45.84 per hour (Umbrella)

Contract: 3 Month Contract

Hours: Full Time

Pay: Bi-Weekly

Summary

We are seeking a seasoned Senior Lawyer - Criminal Litigation to join our Local Authority Legal Services team for a 3-month contract. This position is ideal for a qualified Solicitor or Barrister with extensive experience in criminal litigation, preferably within a Local Authority or public sector environment. The role involves managing a diverse portfolio of complex and high-profile cases, offering expert legal advice, advocacy, and representation on a broad spectrum of criminal and regulatory enforcement issues. You will work independently, advising officers, elected members, and partner organizations, while ensuring the delivery of effective, commercially driven legal services that safeguard the Local Authority's interests and reputation.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver expert legal advice, representation, and support to officers, elected members, and client departments.
  
• Oversee a complex caseload involving criminal litigation and regulatory enforcement.
  
• Conduct thorough legal research and provide practical solutions to intricate legal challenges.
  
• Draft, review, negotiate, and amend various legal documents, pleadings, notices, and correspondence.
  
• Serve as an advocate, representing the Local Authority in Magistrates' Courts, Crown Courts, Tribunals, Licensing Hearings, and other legal proceedings.
  
• Advise on criminal and regulatory matters, including Trading Standards, Food Safety, Licensing, Environmental Enforcement, and related prosecutions.
  
• Handle sensitive, high-profile, and contentious issues with professionalism and discretion.
  
• Provide guidance on appeals, judicial reviews, and higher court proceedings as needed.
  
• Attend and advise committees, sub-committees, working groups, and member meetings.
  
• Offer training, mentoring, and guidance to junior legal staff and support officers.
  
• Stay informed on relevant legislation, regulations, case law, and best practices.
  
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives, policy development, and modernization within Legal Services.
  
• Promote adherence to data protection, information governance, and professional standards.
  

Essential

Requirements

Requirements:

• Qualified Solicitor or Barrister with a current practicing certificate.
  
• At least 2 years of post-qualification experience.
  
• Extensive experience in criminal litigation.
  
• Proven track record in advocacy within courts, tribunals, and regulatory hearings.
  
• Strong knowledge of criminal law, regulatory enforcement, and prosecution work.
  
• Experience advising on Trading Standards, Food Safety, Licensing, and other regulatory matters.
  
• Proficient in drafting, negotiation, and legal research.
  
• Ability to independently manage a complex caseload.
  
• Experience advising senior officers, elected members, and key stakeholders.
  
• Solid understanding of Local Authority governance and decision-making processes.
  
• Capable of working effectively under pressure and meeting tight deadlines.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Strong analytical skills and commercial awareness.
  

Desirable

• Previous experience in Local Authority legal work.
  
• Advocacy experience across diverse criminal and regulatory proceedings.
  
• Experience attending and advising Licensing Committees.
  
• Experience handling judicial review proceedings and appeal work.
  
• Experience supervising trainees, legal assistants, or junior lawyers.
  

Additional

• Attendance at court hearings, committees, and meetings is required.
  
• Flexibility to work outside normal office hours as needed to meet service demands.
  
• Opportunity to engage in complex and high-profile criminal litigation matters.
  
• Hybrid working may be available, subject to service requirements.
  

What's on Offer?

• £45.84 per hour (Umbrella)
  
• 3 Month Contract
  
• Full-Time Hours
  
• Bi-Weekly Pay
  
• High-profile and varied criminal litigation caseload.
  
• Opportunity to provide advocacy and strategic legal advice.
  
• Supportive Local Authority legal team.
  
• Potential for contract extension.
  

Ideal for candidates with experience as a Criminal Litigation Lawyer, Prosecutions Lawyer, Regulatory Lawyer, Senior Solicitor, Criminal Advocate, Litigation Solicitor, Local Government Lawyer, Trading Standards Lawyer, Licensing Lawyer, or Senior Legal Counsel.

Requirements
Essential Requirements Qualified Solicitor with a current practising certificate, or Qualified Barrister with a current practising certificate, or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) with Family Litigation Practising Rights. Detailed technical knowledge and recent experience in public law childcare proceedings. Recent experience working within a Local Authority legal department. Strong working knowledge of: Children Act 1989 Children and Families Act 2014 Adoption and Children Act 2002 Relevant childcare case law and statutory guidance Experience managing a complex childcare caseload. Experience conducting advocacy in Family Courts. Knowledge of Family Court protocols and procedures. Excellent drafting, negotiation, communication, and case management skills. Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities. Strong analytical and research skills. Experience using legal case management systems. Desirable Requirements Experience of advocacy in contested hearings. Experience using Iken Case Management System. Understanding of Adult Social Care and/or Education Law. Knowledge of Lexcel Practice Management Standards. CILEX Advocate qualification for Family Proceedings. Additional Requirements Must be willing and able to attend court hearings in Birmingham. Ability to travel across the Borough and surrounding areas as required. Flexibility to attend meetings, court hearings, and urgent matters outside normal office hours where necessary. Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. What's on Offer? £50.00 - £55.00 per hour (Umbrella) 3 Month Contract 37 Hours Per Week Predominantly Remote Working Court Attendance Required in Birmingham Bi-Weekly Pay Opportunity to work within a highly regarded Local Authority legal team. Varied and rewarding childcare caseload. High level of autonomy and responsibility. Supportive and collaborative working environment. Suitable for candidates with experience as a Childcare Lawyer, Children's Solicitor, Family Solicitor, Care Proceedings Lawyer, Public Law Solicitor, Child Protection Lawyer, Local Government Solicitor, or Senior Childcare Lawyer.