Legal Services Team Leader

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Shared Legal Services Team of Chorley Council and South Ribble Council.

We are looking for an enthusiastic legal professional with experience leading a team to join us. You'll be an individual who is committed to the development of a positive, professional, forward looking and customer focused legal service.

This is an excellent chance for a lawyer to lead an experienced team of legal professionals and develop and broaden their professional and management skills.

As a service, the Legal team advises on all legal issues affecting two councils (Chorley and South Ribble).  You would be expected to lead a team dealing with regulatory matters in particular Licensing and Planning but also contract work.

 What you’ll be getting up to

• Shared responsibility for the efficient and effective day to day management and delivery of the legal service, ensuring the councils achieve their corporate objectives.
• To ensure the provision of relevant and timely legal advice and guidance to members and officers, across the full range of council functions. 
• To ensure the delivery of training to Officers and Members in relation to legal issues.
• To develop and maintain your own and your team’s specialist legal skills in multiple areas including; prosecutions, contracts, public procurement, town planning, licensing, litigation. 
• To negotiate complex legal agreements on behalf of the councils. 
• To draft and interpret legal documentation and to instruct external legal advisers where necessary. 
• To represent the councils at court and in tribunals.
• To promote good corporate governance across the councils and, in particular, compliance with the councils’ Constitutions. 
• To prepare reports for Full Council, Cabinet and Committees and to advise at those meetings.

Who we’re looking for

• A qualified Solicitor or Barrister or a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives with substantial relevant experience and knowledge
•  Substantial experience of advising in relation to and undertaking work in one or more of the following areas – prosecutions, Contracts, public procurement law, litigation, planning law, licensing law.  Property law experience is desirable but not essential..
• Local government experience is preferred, but not essential.
• A good understanding of the legal framework in which local authorities operate 
• Strong people management skills

 Other requirements