Extended Day Support Workers

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated, enthusiastic and able lawyer to join the Prosecutions and Licensing team.

Main duties of the job

The primary function of the post will be to work collaboratively with colleagues across services dealing with a wide range of criminal cases prosecuted for the benefit of the residents of the borough. In addition, the role involves advising members at licensing committee hearings and defending appeals issued against those decisions

We are looking for a lawyer (solicitors, barristers or FILEX) with a minimum of two years post qualification experience in the legal profession or exceptional experience of shorter duration.

You are required to have advocacy skills and knowledge of criminal law and practice. You will have to be highly motivated and a team player.

Working for our organisation

Working under the direction of the Chief Litigation Lawyer, you will be joining a dynamic and welcoming team.

In return, we can offer you:

• Up to 31 days leave per year (increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service)
• 35-hour working week
• A range of flexible working arrangements
• Excellent pension scheme
• Competitive pay – and a commitment to paying all staff and apprentices the London Living Wage
• Annual season ticket loan
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Payroll giving
• Personal computer incentive scheme
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more

Closing date: Friday 20th October at 8.00am

Interviews: week commencing 23rd October

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To undertake court and tribunal work and in particular advocacy in the magistrate’s court ensuring that the Council’s case is put forcefully and effectively.

To undertake a substantial personal caseload of most complex work including the provision of legal advice, drafting of documentation (such as criminal charges, witness statements and instructions to Counsel and conduct litigation.

To maintain an up-to-date comprehensive knowledge of developments in the relevant areas of law undertaken by the post holder and advise the Senior Litigation Lawyer of any implications for the work of the Team.

To attend relevant committees, sub committees and other meetings to provide legal advice as required by the Senior Litigation Lawyer

To act as a legal adviser to the Council’s Licensing committee, Licensing Sub-Committees and Licensing Regulatory Committee.

To ensure that the service is responsive to client requirements and that work undertaken is reflective of best practice and the performance targets contained within Service Level Agreements.

To assist the Senior Litigation Lawyer, in developing effective procedural and reporting mechanisms on the performance of the team.

To meet the chargeable hours target for the post and the agreed performance and quality standards as fixed by the Departmental Management Team.

To work in a corporate and co-operative way both within Resources and with other Council Officers.

To assist with training and development of staff, as directed.

To carry out duties in accordance with the Council’s Health and Safety Policy and relevant Health and Safety Regulations and to raise any concerns regarding health and safety matters with the Assistant Director of Law Commercial and Environment.

To assist the Senior Council Managers with the training of their staff in the legal implications of their work with particular reference to those areas for which the post holder is responsible.

To use and assist others to use information technology systems (including all corporate standards such as internet and e-mail) to carry out duties in the most efficient and effective manner to promote the development of new IT initiatives within the team.

Person specification

Qualifications and Experience

Essential criteria

• Admitted solicitor or qualified barrister or fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives
• A minimum of two years post qualification experience in the legal profession

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria

• A thorough knowledge of the law relating to the conduct of local authority prosecutions, including in the following areas:- •Environmental Protection Act •Consumer Protection •Tenancy Conditions •Housing Benefits
• A thorough knowledge (or the ability to acquire it) of the law and procedure relating to local authority licensing
• Ability to obtain evidence, evaluate evidence, prepare cases and appear as an advocate where appropriate, on behalf of the Council in Courts, Tribunals and Inquiries.
• Ability to communicate well in writing and verbally, with good presentation skills
• Ability to use Information Technology for the purposes of casework and the provision of management information
• Ability to comply with good practice management standards as laid down by the Law Society or other relevant body
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to deliver services and to carry out duties within the framework of the Council’s Dignity For All policy.