LEGAL OFFICER
Lewes (East Sussex)
Job description
· Location
Lewes, East Sussex
· Salary
£11.25/Hour
· Category
Office and Secretarial - Administrator
· Job type
Temporary
· Industry
Public Sector
· External Reference
JN-012019-45308
JOB TITLE: LEGAL OFFICER
CLIENT: A Local authority within East Sussex
LOCATION: Lewes, East Sussex
PAY RATE: £11.25 per hour PAYE
START DATE: ASAP
DURATION: 3 months
MAIN TASKS
· To support and assist fee earners in the preparation and conduct of a full range of routine and complex case work and to provide support in relation to the provision of legal advice.
· To carry a caseload with the minimum of supervision.
· To provide a high quality legal service to client departments to enable them to implement decisions within the law and to protect the County Council against prosecution and challenge.
KEY TASKS
· To contribute effectively to the arrangement for providing legal and administrative support to the lawyers working in the team. Including taking conduct of cases (under the supervision of a lawyer).
· To ensure that the Senior Solicitor or any other lawyers working within the department (where appropriate) are at all times adequately informed of matters being dealt with by the post-holder and to assist as required with arrangements for monitoring the progress of the work.
· To act upon instructions to carry out the objectives of client departments, utilising the post-holders skills, expertise and knowledge to full and lawful effect.
· To advise client departments of legal and other consequences of proposed courses of action, so as to enable them to give or modify instructions effectively.
· To undertake casework as required; particular areas of law may be assigned to the post but it is essential that the post holder should be able and willing to carry out a variety of legal work.
· To participate in the appraisal process currently in place and to participate in training and development activities identified as a result of that process.
· To be aware of and adhere to the County Council's health and safety policies, procedures and to adhere to the County Council's commitment to equal opportunities.
· To undertake available training opportunities and show a commitment to continuous development, to maximise your potential and ensure the efficient and effective delivery of County Council services.
· To participate in the development of quality systems for Legal Services and in particular the retention of accreditation under Investors in People and the Law Society's Practice Management Standards (Lexcel).
· To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grading of the post as deemed necessary by the Senior Solicitor.
Key Skills & Abilities
· The ability to provide prompt and accurate legal advice
· The ability to analyse facts, research law and apply it
· Ability to prioritise work according to importance and urgency
· The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a diverse range of people and organisations both orally and in writing
· Negotiating skills
· Drafting skills
· Organised and methodical approach to work.
· Good understanding of Local Government practice and procedure.
Knowledge
· Knowledge of litigation law and practice
· Good IT skills
· Knowledge of democratic and political aspects of local government
Experience
· Ability to demonstrate experience of conducting own caseload within defined areas of legal practice.
· Recent local government experience.
· Experience of working in the field of litigation law in a local authority or private practice.
· Experience of working to Lexcel quality standards.
Personal Attributes
· Flexible approach to working within the team or on own initiative as required.
· Ability to set and receive priorities, and meet deadlines
· Be able to work effectively under pressure and deal with unforeseen and urgent demands.
· Aptitude and willingness to embrace new areas of law and technology and to develop specialist skills
· Commitment to providing good customer service.
· Awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing local government
*only successful candidates will be contacted*
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