Do it for the community by providing specialist practical legal advice

Working in Legal Services

The Legal Services department provides a broad range of comprehensive legal support to all the Council’s departments, members and maintained schools. Roles available range from Legal Assistant to Senior Solicitor. There are also opportunities for paralegal apprenticeships which provide a career progression route for legally unqualified staff.

The department provides its staff with the support, resources and training to work autonomously in their chosen field and actively encourages career development to enable staff to be in a position to gain promotion when suitable opportunities arise.

The department’s key areas of expertise include:

• commercial property
• contracts and procurement
• criminal and civil litigation (including dispute resolution and regulatory work)
• children’s and adults’ social care and employment.

The workload within the department is varied and challenging. Staff are provided with the opportunity to gain legal knowledge in a broad range of public law areas. This may include the possibility of gaining advocacy and court experience.

You will be supported by colleagues with a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from, not just from within the legal team, but also from across the departments it serves.

Working in a public sector legal environment offers many advantages over private practice. There are no billing targets and a flexible working policy enables some flexibility in working hours, along with the possibility of some homeworking – ensuring that staff are able to maintain a positive work-life balance.

The variety of work is also much broader in a local authority. No two days are the same and you will be asked to consider questions and issues that you would be unlikely to come across in private practice.

Career Opportunities

To current vacancies view the link below:

View vacancies