Lawyer

3 Month Contract With A local Authority Job Purpose Provide high-quality legal advice, representation, and support to the County Council, ensuring it carries out its statutory functions lawfully and effectively. Manage a varied and complex caseload, deliver practical legal solutions with minimal supervision, undertake advocacy where required, and support the delivery of an efficient, flexible, and customer-focused legal service.

Key Responsibilities

Provide expert legal advice and representation to the County Council, elected members, officers, and committees. Manage a diverse and complex caseload across a range of legal matters, delivering timely and effective legal solutions. Conduct advocacy and represent the Council in legal proceedings where required. Support Monitoring Officers by advising on matters of legality and procedural compliance.

Draft, review, and negotiate legal documents, reports, and other documentation. Maintain accurate case records using electronic case management systems in line with Lexcel standards. Contribute to the continuous improvement of legal processes and service delivery. Support the management and supervision of lawyers and legal staff, including deputising for the Principal Lawyer when required.

Deliver legal training and guidance to Council officers and partner organisations. Manage external legal spend responsibly and contribute to budget awareness. Work collaboratively with internal departments, external partners, and stakeholders to achieve positive legal outcomes. Attend meetings, hearings, and court proceedings, including outside normal working hours where required.

Requirements

Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or Fellow of CILEX eligible to practise in England and Wales with a current practising certificate. Experience managing a complex legal caseload and providing high-quality legal advice. Advocacy experience or a demonstrated aptitude for advocacy. Strong knowledge of public sector or local government legal practice is desirable.

Excellent written, verbal, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to analyse complex legal issues and provide practical, solution-focused advice. Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities independently. Experience supporting or supervising colleagues is advantageous.

Proficient in using electronic case management and legal IT systems. Additional Information Hours: Full-time Location: Surrey County Council (Hybrid / Flexible working office attendance and travel to meetings, hearings, and court proceedings as required) Payment: Bi-weekly